Where They Went
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← Journeys beyond Earth

First Man (2018)

Earth → Earth orbit → Earth → Earth orbit → Moon orbit → Moon → Earth

March 1966 (Gemini 8) and July 1969 (Apollo 11), following the real missions' timelines. 850,737 km in all on the map.

Moon, 16 Jul 1969Moon, 24 Jul 1969Moon, 19 Jul 1969Earth5867To scale, seen from above.Coasting orbits that fit the times.The swing around the Moon is drawn wider than it was.
1348Orange lines over the map: the ground under the ship in orbit, from the launch site.
Mare ImbriumMare TranquillitatisCopernicusMare Nubium7
On the Moon
  1. 1

    Cape Kennedy, Launch Complex 19 Earth · 16 Mar 1966, 16:41 UTC

    Neil Armstrong and David Scott launch on Gemini 8.

    Gemini 8 · 7 hours

  2. 2

    Docking with the Agena, Earth orbit Earth, orbit · 16 Mar 1966, 23:14 UTC

    The first docking in space, then a stuck thruster sends the joined craft into a violent spin.

    Gemini 8 · 4 hours

  3. 3

    Emergency splashdown, western Pacific Earth · 17 Mar 1966, 03:22 UTC

    Armstrong regains control and the mission is cut short with a landing south of Japan.

    Three years later

  4. 4

    Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A Earth · 16 Jul 1969, 13:32 UTC

    Three years later Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins ride the Saturn V towards the Moon.

    Saturn V · 12 minutes

  5. 5

    Earth parking orbit Earth, orbit · 16 Jul 1969, 13:43 UTC

    One and a half turns around the Earth before the S-IVB fires them towards the Moon.

    Columbia and Eagle · 439,021 km · 3 days

  6. 6

    Lunar orbit Moon, orbit · 19 Jul 1969, 17:21 UTC

    Lunar orbit insertion behind the Moon; Collins stays in Columbia while Eagle goes down.

    Eagle · 27 hours

  7. 7

    Tranquility Base, Mare Tranquillitatis Moon · 20 Jul 1969, 20:17 UTC

    Armstrong lands Eagle and walks on the Moon, and at Little West crater nearby drops his late daughter's bracelet.

    Eagle, then Columbia · 411,717 km · 4 days

  8. 8

    Splashdown, North Pacific Earth · 24 Jul 1969, 16:50 UTC

    Columbia comes home; Armstrong meets his wife through the quarantine window.