Mission
Apollo 6
Mission Objective
Demonstrated structure and thermal integrity of launch vehicle and spacecraft. Confirmed launch loads and dynamic characteristics. Demonstrated separation of launch vehicle stages. Evaluated performance of emergency detection system in closed-loop configuration. Demonstrated performance of mission support facilities. Did not achieve verification of Saturn V propulsion, guidance and control, and electrical systems, due to early cutoff of two S-II stage J-2 engines and failure of S-IVB J-2 engine to restart.
Prelaunch Milestones
2/21/67 - S-IVB on dock at Kennedy 3/13/67 - S-IC on dock at Kennedy
3/20/67 - S-IU on dock at Kennedy
5/24/67 - S-II on dock at Kennedy
2/6/68 - launch vehicle at pad
3/8/68 - Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy
3/29/68 - Countdown Demonstration Test
Launch
April 4, 1968; 7:00:01 a.m. EST
Launch Pad 39A
Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Saturn-V AS-502
High Bay 3
Mobile Launcher Platform-2
Firing Room 2
Spacecraft
CM-020
SM-014
LTA-2R
Orbit
Altitude: 13,792 miles
Inclination: 32.5 degrees
Orbits: orbital
Duration: nine hours, 57 minutes
Mission Highlights
Apogee 367 km and perigee 178 km. A near circular orbit was intended, but early cutoff of S-II engines and overburn of the S-IVB engine caused unplanned orbital parameters. After S-IVB engine failed to reignite, a 422-second burn of the SPS engine sent the spacecraft to an altitude of 22,209 km.
Landing
April 4, 1968; 5:23 p.m. EST
Splashdown: Exact landing point unknown
First Visual Sighting: 27 degrees, 40 minutes north, and 157 degrees, 59 minutes west
Recovery Ship: USS Okinawa at 10:55 p.m. EST
