Apollo 9 was launched aboard a Saturn V on March 3, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center. The crewmembers, Commander James McDivitt, Command Module Pilot David Scott, and Lunar Module Pilot Russel Schweickart spent 10 days in Earth orbit. The primary purpose of the Apollo 9 mission was to test the systems, rendezvous procedures, and docking procedures of the Lunar Module (nicknamed "Spider"). In addition, an extra-vehicular activity (EVA) was performed to test the new Lunar EVA spacesuits. Both "Gumdrop", the Command and Service Modules (CSM 104), and "Spider" (LM-3) functioned without problems, thus proving that the Lunar Module performed as designed. The Apollo 9 mission ended on March 13 with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.
The spacecraft was transferred to the Smithsonian by NASA in 1973.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed
Astronaut
David R. Scott
James A. McDivitt
Russell L. Schweickart
Manufacturer
North American Rockwell
Dimensions
Other (at base): 154 in. diameter (391.16cm)
Overall: 127 in. tall (322.58cm)
Materials
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and titanium structures. Outer shell - stainless steel honeycomb between stainless steel sheets. Crew compartment inner shell - aluminum honeycomb between aluminum alloy sheets.
Epoxy-resin ablative heat shield covers outside.
Inventory Number
A19740649000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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