posted 03-04-2019 12:51 AM               

50 years ago, we tested the capabilities of our Moon landing spacecraft in Earth's orbit. Commander James McDivitt, Command Module Pilot David Scott and Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart performed systems checks and gathered data.

The Lunar Module and the Command Module separated by nearly 100 miles and an engine burn check brought them back together. A challenging rendezvous and docking proved the abilities of the hardware.

This historic mission launched on March 3, 1969 as an engineering mission and paved the way for future Apollo missions.

posted 03-07-2019 06:01 PM               

1969: Spider undocks from Gumdrop as Apollo 9's James McDivitt and Rusty Schweickart test fly the lunar module.

Covering hours 88-102 of the Apollo 9 mission, this Lunar Module Rendezvous Activation Flight Data File (FDF) had a good workout, serving to guide the lunar module pilot and commander on pre-undocking and post-test-flight lunar module configuration and other activities up through LM jettison.

Could be the FDF in LMP Schweickart's right hand as seen in this TV broadcast frame grab; it's the correct size and a black felt-tip pen like that he's holding is consistent with his many notes/markups.

CDR McDivitt later added a number of his own notes in ballpoint, including a simple but telling "very nice" message about Spider's post-test-drive rendezvous with Gumdrop.

After about 40 minutes of formation flying and other tests they struggled through visibility problems from CM reflections and re-docked during hour 99. Still days to go on the mission, but it probably felt mighty good to get back to the mother ship and their eventual ride home.