The Apollo 9 mission was the first crewed flight of all Apollo lunar hardware, as well as the first crewed flight of the lunar module.  

Launched on March 3, 1969, Apollo 9 carried out a full test of the lunar landing mission in Earth orbit. Astronauts McDivitt and Schweickart tested the lunar module and rendezvoused and docked with the command and service modules piloted by Scott. Schweickart also tested the lunar spacesuit and backpack outside the spacecraft.

Meet the Astronauts

A photograph of the three men who make up the Apollo 9 crew in front of a rocket. All are waving to the camera.

Apollo 9 Crew, James A. McDivitt (CMDR), David R. Scott(CMP) and Russell L. Schweickart (LMP).

  • James A. McDivitt, Commander: Prior to serving as commander for Apollo 9, McDivitt also served as commander for the Gemini IV mission. 
  • David R. Scott, Command Module Pilot: Having previously served as a pilot for Gemini VIII, Scott would also go on to serve as Commander on Apollo 15 after being the command module pilot for Apollo 9. 
  • Russell L. Schweickart, Lunar Module Pilot: Apollo 9 was Schweickart's only flight with NASA.

Object Highlight

Cape Kennedy: Apollo 9 on Pad

The spring of 1962 was a busy time for the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Not only had John Glen become the first American to orbit the Earth, which put the U.S. evermore close to its goal to reach the moon by the end of the decade, but the NASA Art Program was also born. By 1970, 38 artists had been dispatched to Mercury, Gemini and Apollo launches and to other NASA facilities. NASA artists produced stunning works of art that documented the agency's step-by-step progress on the way to the moon. 

In this drawing of pen and ink, Apollo 9 can be seen on the launch pad. The small, simplified figures of people add a level of perspective which demonstrates just how big the equipment used for Apollo missions was. 

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Gumdrop and Spider

Apollo 9 was the first mission in the program that allowed call signs for the spacecraft. As a result, the Apollo crew named the command and service module Gumdrop, and the lunar module Spider, after their appearance in space. Both Gumdrop and Spider functioned without problems, thus proving that the lunar module performed as designed.

Apollo 9
View of Lunar Module Spider from Command Module Gumdrop in Earth orbit. 
Image of Apollo 9 Command Module in Earth orbit

Command and Service Module and Earth viewed from Lunar Module on Apollo 9 mission.

Apollo 9 in the Collection 

Command Module, Apollo 9

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Pressure Suit, Apollo, A7-L, Apollo 9, Schweickart, Flown

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Filter, Sextant, Apollo 9

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Kit, Medical Accessories, Apollo 9

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Jim Irwin works at the lunar roving vehicle (LRV) during the first Apollo 15 moonwalk. Picture captured by David Scott.
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About the Apollo Program

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