Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia

Columbia was the living quarters for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins during Apollo 11. It launched from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, at Kennedy Space Center on 16 July 1969 and, after the Lunar Module returned from the Moon, was the only part of the spacecraft to come back to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on 24 July 1969, 24 km from the recovery ship USS Hornet. After a NASA tour of American cities it was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1971 and is displayed in the Destination Moon gallery of the National Air and Space Museum.

1. 16 July 1969

   Launched on Apollo 11 from Launch Complex 39AB

   Launched at 9:32 a.m. EDT from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center.

2. 24 July 1969

   Splashed down in the Pacific OceanB

   The splashdown point was 24 km from the recovery ship USS Hornet.

3. 1971

   Transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian InstitutionC

   After a NASA-sponsored tour of American cities.

4. Date not recorded

   Built by North American Rockwell as Command Module No. 107C

5. present

   Displayed in the Destination Moon galleryC

   National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

Used by · July 1969

Neil ArmstrongC

Used by · July 1969

Buzz AldrinC

Used by · July 1969

Michael CollinsC

Used at · 16–24 July 1969

Apollo 11C

Used at · 16 July 1969

Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39AB

Owned by · until 1971

NASAC

Exhibited at · 1971–present

National Air and Space MuseumC

1. A

   NASA, '50 Years Ago: Hornet + 3 – The Recovery of Apollo 11'

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2. B

   NASA, 'Apollo 11 Mission Overview'

   ↗ View original record
3. C

   National Air and Space Museum, collection record A19700102000

   Catalogue record

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