Space
TH E A P OLLO 9
C OM M A N D
M OD U LE AT
TH E A I R &
S PA C E M U S E U M
t
Celebrating
50 Years of Apollo
he year 1969 was an important one for the
American space program. In the span of less than
twelve months, four Apollo missions launched
Americans into space, highlighted by the historic
Apollo 11 lunar landing in July which saw the
world’s first two moon walkers, Neil Armstrong and Buzz
Aldrin. A few months later, two more American astronauts,
Pete Conrad and Alan Bean, would become the second
men to set foot on the lunar surface as part of Apollo 12 in
November 1969.
Throughout 2019, the San Diego Air & Space Museum will
commemorate the 50th anniversaries of the four legacy Apollo
missions of 1969. The first anniversary was in March when all
three crew members of Apollo 9, Commander James McDivitt,
Command Module Pilot David Scott and Lunar Module Pilot
Rusty Schweickart, joined more than 500 guests at the
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Museum for a special evening with their original command
module “Gumdrop.” The three Apollo 9 crew members were
joined at the celebration by other notable Apollo luminaries
including Apollo 8’s Bill Anders, Tom Stafford from Apollo 10,
Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin, and Apollo-era flight directors Gene
Kranz and Gerry Griffin.
After Apollo 9’s mission in March of 1969, Apollo 10 orbited
the Moon in late May and will celebrate its 50th anniversary
this year as well. In July of this year, Apollo 11 will celebrate
its 50th anniversary. Currently, the San Diego Air & Space
Museum is planning to host an amazing event. Check back
to the Museum’s website for updated information about an
upcoming Apollo 11 celebration. In November, the second
Moon landing of 1969, Apollo 12, will commemorate its 50th
anniversary this year as well.