APOLLO 15

 
 
 
Apollo 15
Launch vehicle: Saturn 5
Launch: 26 July 1971
Recovery: 7 August 1971
Crew: James Irwin, David Scott, Alfred Worden
    The fourth successful manned lunar landing, this was  the first of the Apollo "J" missions capable of a longer stay on the lunar surface and the first to carry the LRV (Lunar Rover). The total EVA time on the lunar surface was a record 18 hours 37 minutes. Extensive documentation of geologic features was accomplished and 173 pounds of lunar samples were collected. Other activities included deployment of the ALSEP array and drilling for a core sample 10 feet below the lunar surface. The lift-off of the ascent module of the Falcon LM-10 was the first seen on earth via television. Falcon rejoined the CSM on the latter's 50th lunar orbit and the particles and fields (P&F) subsatellite was released on the 74th orbit. On the return to earth, Worden conducted the first deep-space EVA, collecting film cassettes from the SM. Splashdown was in the Pacific after a record 295 hours. 

 
 
Apollo 15 prime crew: David R. Scott, Commander, Alfred M. Worden, Command Module Pilot, and James B. Irwin, Lunar Module Pilot.

 
 
 
Apollo 15 Saturn V during a turnaround move from VAB High Bay 1 to High Bay 3 (note absence of escape tower).

 
 
 
Surrounded by equipment to be used on their upcoming mission, the three prime crewmen of Apollo 15 greet newsmen and photographers in Building 5 at the MSC.

 
 
 
Apollo 15 crew poses with sub-satellite in front of LRV (the Apollo 15 sub-satellite remains in lunar orbit today).

 
 
Apollo 15 Lunar Module descent stage being uncrated at Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at KSC.

 
 
 
Apollo 15 beginning the roll out of the VAB.

 
 
 
Liftoff viewed from launch tower, July 26, 1971.

 
 
 
Apollo 15 landing site / Hadley Rille.

 
 
 
 View from LM window after landing at Hadley Rille.

 
 
 Mt. Hadley.

 
 
 
 View of the significantly tilted "Falcon" ( Lunar Module-10).

 
 
 View of LM-10

 
 
 Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin salutes the U.S. flag.

 
 
 
Astronaut Jim Irwin and Lunar Rover Vehicle with Bennett Hill in background.

 
 
 
Apollo 15 LM-10 on the Moon.

 
 
Flight controllers in Mission Control watch Apollo 15 LM-10 liftoff transmitted by camera on Lunar Rover.

 
 
 
CSM "Endeavor" viewed from LM prior to docking.

 
 
 
Trans-Earth view of Moon.

 
 
 
 
Apollo 15 Command Module descends with one fouled chute.

 
 
 
 
 
Apollo 15 crew exits recovery helicopter.

 
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