Apollo 8
First crewed mission to orbit the Moon
Apollo 8 was the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit, travel to the Moon, and enter lunar orbit. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders completed ten lunar orbits, photographed potential landing sites, tested deep-space navigation and communications, and returned safely aboard command module 103. The flight produced the Earthrise photograph and proved the basic route later used by lunar landing missions.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
Places and recovery
Mission record
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
3 assignments
Frank Bormanprime crewCommanderLaunched December 21, 1968Returned December 27, 19686 days, 3 hours, 42 secondsCommanded Apollo 8 during the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.Open astronaut archive
James Arthur Lovell Jr.prime crewCommand Module PilotLaunched December 21, 1968Returned December 27, 19686 days, 3 hours, 42 secondsServed as command module pilot for Apollo 8's lunar-orbit flight.Open astronaut archive
William A. Andersprime crewLunar Module PilotLaunched December 21, 1968Returned December 27, 19686 days, 3 hours, 42 secondsServed as lunar module pilot and photographed Earth and the Moon during Apollo 8.Open astronaut archiveBackup crew
Trained for the mission but did not count as flown unless reassigned to the prime crew.
Mission Purpose
3 sources- Demonstrate crewed translunar flight, lunar-, and return to Earth.
- Evaluate the command and , navigation, communications, and ground-support network in deep space.
- Photograph and visually assess prospective Apollo landing areas and lunar terrain.
- Perform a precise trans-Earth injection and high-speed from lunar distance.
Planned Flight Plan
3 sources- December 21, 1968
Depart Earth
Saturn V launches Apollo 8 and the crew commits to the translunar trajectory.
- December 24
Enter lunar orbit
The service propulsion system places CSM-103 into orbit around the Moon.
- Ten lunar orbits
Survey and navigate
The crew photographs the surface, checks landing areas, and tests operations on the Moon's far side.
- December 25–27
Return to Earth
A second major engine burn sends Apollo 8 home for Pacific recovery.
Mission Timeline
3 sources- December 21, 1968
Apollo 8 launches
The first crew to ride Saturn V began humanity's first voyage to another world.
- December 24
First crewed lunar orbit
Borman, Lovell, and Anders passed behind the Moon and completed lunar-.
- December 24
Earthrise and Christmas Eve broadcast
The crew photographed Earth above the lunar horizon and addressed a worldwide television audience.
- December 27, 1968
Pacific
The command module returned at lunar-entry speed and was recovered by USS Yorktown.