Apollo
Apollo 5
Apollo 5 was the first flight of NASA's Lunar Module, the extraordinary spacecraft designed exclusively to land astronauts on the Moon. The uncrewed mission tested both the descent and ascent engines, validated the Lunar Module's guidance systems, and proved that the vehicle could perform the complex maneuvers required for future lunar landings.
Launch
January 22, 1968
Duration
11 hours, 10 minutes
Crew
Uncrewed
Mission record
Apollo archive entry · Successful
Mission Overview
The mission
Apollo 5 was the first flight of NASA's Lunar Module, the extraordinary spacecraft designed exclusively to land astronauts on the Moon. The uncrewed mission tested both the descent and ascent engines, validated the Lunar Module's guidance systems, and proved that the vehicle could perform the complex maneuvers required for future lunar landings.
Mission Details
Program
Apollo
Launch
January 22, 1968
Duration
11 hours, 10 minutes
Status
Successful
Mission by the Numbers
Mission Statistics
Mission Type
Uncrewed Lunar Module Flight Test
Launch Vehicle
Saturn IB SA-204
Crew
0 astronauts
Status
Successful
Mission Goals
Mission objectives
- 01
Conduct the first orbital flight of the Apollo Lunar Module.
- 02
Verify operation of the Lunar Module Descent Propulsion System.
- 03
Verify operation of the Lunar Module Ascent Propulsion System.
- 04
Demonstrate engine ignition in the vacuum of space.
- 05
Evaluate throttle capability of the descent engine.
- 06
Test Lunar Module guidance, navigation, and control systems.
- 07
Validate spacecraft communications systems.
- 08
Evaluate electrical power generation and distribution.
- 09
Measure structural loads experienced during powered flight.
- 10
Verify thermal-control performance in orbit.
- 11
Demonstrate emergency ascent capability using the fire-in-the-hole maneuver.
- 12
Collect engineering data for Apollo 9 and future lunar landing missions.
- 13
Validate overall Lunar Module performance during independent orbital flight.
Mission Timeline
1967
LM-1 Completes Manufacturing
Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation completed Lunar Module LM-1, the first flight-worthy Lunar Module built for spaceflight testing.
Late 1967
Integrated Testing
NASA engineers completed extensive electrical, propulsion, and systems testing before preparing LM-1 for launch.
January 1968
Launch Preparations
Apollo 5 and its Saturn IB launch vehicle completed final countdown demonstrations and preflight inspections at Kennedy Space Center.
January 22, 1968 · 5:48 p.m. EST
Apollo 5 Launches
A Saturn IB rocket lifted Lunar Module LM-1 into Earth orbit from Launch Complex 37B.
Shortly After Launch
Orbit Achieved
The Saturn IB successfully placed the Lunar Module into its planned parking orbit, beginning the first in-space evaluation of the vehicle.
Initial Orbit
Spacecraft Checkout
Mission controllers verified electrical systems, communications, guidance hardware, and spacecraft health before beginning propulsion testing.
First Propulsion Test
Descent Engine Ignition
The Descent Propulsion System fired successfully, marking the first operation of the engine designed to land astronauts on the Moon.
Engine Test Sequence
Automatic Abort
The onboard guidance system terminated part of the planned burn sequence after detecting conditions outside expected limits, requiring mission controllers to revise the remaining test profile.
Revised Flight Plan
Alternate Test Approved
Rather than ending the mission early, NASA flight controllers rapidly developed an alternate sequence that would still satisfy the mission's most important engineering objectives.
Mid-Mission
Fire-in-the-Hole Demonstration
Apollo 5 successfully executed the famous 'fire-in-the-hole' maneuver, igniting the ascent engine before the descent stage had completely separated. The test simulated one of the most demanding emergency situations astronauts might encounter during a lunar landing.
Ascent Propulsion Test
Ascent Engine Performs Successfully
The Lunar Module's ascent engine operated successfully, proving the propulsion system responsible for lifting astronauts off the Moon could perform as designed.
Spacecraft Evaluation
Systems Continue Operating
Engineers continued collecting engineering data from guidance systems, communications equipment, electrical systems, thermal control hardware, and structural sensors throughout the remainder of the flight.
End of Mission
Mission Complete
Apollo 5 concluded after approximately eleven hours in orbit, having successfully demonstrated the Lunar Module's critical propulsion systems and validating the spacecraft for future crewed testing.
Postflight Analysis
Engineering Review
Detailed analysis confirmed that Apollo 5 had successfully achieved its primary engineering objectives despite modifications made during the mission.
1969
Legacy Proven
The engineering lessons learned during Apollo 5 directly contributed to the success of Apollo 9, Apollo 10, and ultimately Apollo 11's historic lunar landing.
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