The Apollo 11 Command Module, "Columbia," was the living quarters for the three-person crew during most of the first manned lunar landing mission in July 1969. On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins were launched from Cape Kennedy atop a Saturn V rocket. This Command Module, no. 107, manufactured by North American Rockwell, was one of three parts of the complete Apollo spacecraft. The other two parts were the Service Module and the Lunar Module, nicknamed "Eagle." The Service Module contained the main spacecraft propulsion system and consumables while the Lunar Module was the two-person craft used by Armstrong and Aldrin to descend to the Moon's surface on July 20. The Command Module is the only portion of the spacecraft to return to Earth.
It was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1970 following a NASA-sponsored tour of American cities. The Apollo CM Columbia has been designated a "Milestone of Flight" by the Museum and is displayed almost directly under the permanent location of 1903 Wright Flyer, the first successful airplane.
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Manufacturer: North American Rockwell
Astronaut: Neil A. Armstrong
Astronaut: Dr. Buzz Aldrin
Astronaut: Michael Collins
Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
Overall: 10 ft. 7 in. tall x 12 ft. 10 in. wide, 1300 lb. (322.6 x 391.2cm, 589.7kg)
Materials:
Primary Materials: Aluminum alloy, Stainless steel, Titanium
Inventory number: A19700102000
This artifact is on display in the Milestones of Flight gallery of the National Mall building.
