Apollo
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 became the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit, travel to the Moon, enter lunar orbit, and safely return home. During ten revolutions around the Moon, the crew photographed the now-famous Earthrise image and broadcast a Christmas Eve message watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Launch
December 21, 1968
Duration
6 days, 3 hours, 42 seconds
Crew
Uncrewed
Mission record
Apollo archive entry · Successful
Mission Overview
The mission
Apollo 8 became the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit, travel to the Moon, enter lunar orbit, and safely return home. During ten revolutions around the Moon, the crew photographed the now-famous Earthrise image and broadcast a Christmas Eve message watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Mission Details
Program
Apollo
Launch
December 21, 1968
Duration
6 days, 3 hours, 42 seconds
Status
Successful
Mission by the Numbers
Mission Statistics
Mission Type
Crewed Lunar Orbit Mission
Launch Vehicle
Saturn V AS-503
Crew
0 astronauts
Status
Successful
Mission Goals
Mission objectives
- 01
Perform the first crewed flight beyond Earth orbit.
- 02
Demonstrate the Saturn V launch vehicle with astronauts aboard.
- 03
Execute the first crewed Trans-Lunar Injection burn.
- 04
Navigate safely to the Moon.
- 05
Become the first crewed spacecraft to enter lunar orbit.
- 06
Evaluate spacecraft performance in deep space.
- 07
Demonstrate communications over lunar distances.
- 08
Photograph potential Apollo landing sites.
- 09
Evaluate lunar navigation techniques.
- 10
Study the Moon's gravitational field.
- 11
Perform ten lunar orbits.
- 12
Conduct live television broadcasts from lunar orbit.
- 13
Demonstrate the Trans-Earth Injection maneuver.
- 14
Safely return astronauts from lunar distance.
- 15
Qualify Apollo systems for future lunar landing missions.
Mission Timeline
Summer 1968
Mission Redefined
Because the Lunar Module would not be ready in time, NASA approved an unprecedented plan to send Apollo 8 directly to lunar orbit.
Late 1968
Crew Training Intensifies
Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders trained extensively for deep-space navigation, lunar operations, and emergency procedures unlike anything previously attempted.
December 21, 1968 · 7:51 a.m. EST
Launch
Apollo 8 lifted off aboard Saturn V AS-503 from Launch Complex 39A, beginning humanity's first journey away from Earth.
Earth Orbit
Parking Orbit Achieved
Following a flawless ascent, Apollo 8 entered temporary Earth orbit while engineers verified spacecraft performance before committing the crew to the Moon.
2 Hours 50 Minutes After Launch
Trans-Lunar Injection
The S-IVB third stage reignited successfully, accelerating Apollo 8 toward the Moon and making its crew the first humans ever to leave Earth orbit.
Transposition and Docking
CSM Separation
The Command and Service Module separated from the S-IVB stage, performed an inspection maneuver, and continued independently toward the Moon.
Deep Space
First Humans Beyond Earth Orbit
Apollo 8 crossed beyond the limits reached by every previous human mission, entering deep space for the first time in history.
Cruise to the Moon
Midcourse Corrections
Small trajectory adjustments refined Apollo 8's path toward the Moon while astronauts evaluated navigation systems and spacecraft performance.
December 24, 1968
Arrival at the Moon
Apollo 8 approached the far side of the Moon, where the crew disappeared behind the lunar horizon and lost radio contact with Earth for the first time.
Behind the Moon
Lunar Orbit Insertion
While completely out of communication with Mission Control, the crew ignited the Service Propulsion System engine. The burn successfully slowed the spacecraft enough to be captured into lunar orbit, making Apollo 8 the first crewed spacecraft to orbit another celestial body.
First Orbit
Radio Contact Restored
As Apollo 8 emerged from behind the Moon, the crew calmly reported, 'Please be informed there is a Santa Claus,' confirming the lunar orbit insertion had been successful.
Lunar Orbits
Scientific Observations
During ten revolutions around the Moon, the astronauts photographed potential Apollo landing sites, evaluated surface features, and gathered navigation data that would be invaluable for future landing missions.
December 24, 1968
Earthrise Photograph
While orbiting the Moon, William Anders spotted Earth rising above the lunar horizon. The crew quickly photographed the breathtaking scene, producing the iconic 'Earthrise' image that forever changed humanity's perspective of its home planet.
Christmas Eve 1968
Historic Television Broadcast
Apollo 8 broadcast live television from lunar orbit to one of the largest audiences in history. As viewers watched the Moon drift beneath the spacecraft, the crew read the opening verses of Genesis before wishing everyone on Earth a Merry Christmas.
Tenth Lunar Orbit
Departure Burn
Once again hidden behind the Moon and out of radio contact, the crew ignited the Service Propulsion System engine to leave lunar orbit and begin the journey back to Earth.
Return Cruise
Trans-Earth Coast
Apollo 8 crossed cislunar space once more while astronauts conducted additional navigation checks, scientific observations, and routine spacecraft inspections.
December 27, 1968
High-Speed Reentry
Returning from lunar distance, Apollo 8 struck Earth's atmosphere at nearly 25,000 miles per hour, the fastest reentry ever attempted by humans at the time.
December 27, 1968
Splashdown
Apollo 8 safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after six days in space, completing humanity's first voyage to another world.
Postflight
Mission Success Confirmed
NASA declared Apollo 8 an overwhelming success, clearing the way for Apollo 9, Apollo 10, and ultimately Apollo 11's lunar landing.
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