Editing Apollo 11 (section)

== Preparations ==
=== Insignia ===

[[File:Apollo 11 insignia.png|thumb|Apollo 11 insignia]]

The Apollo 11 [[Mission patch|mission emblem]] was designed by Collins, who wanted a symbol for "peaceful lunar landing by the United States". At Lovell's suggestion, he chose the [[bald eagle]], the [[national bird]] of the United States, as the symbol. Tom Wilson, a simulator instructor, suggested an [[olive branch]] in its beak to represent their peaceful mission. Collins added a lunar background with the Earth in the distance. The sunlight in the image was coming from the wrong direction; the shadow should have been in the lower part of the Earth instead of the left. Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins decided the Eagle and the Moon would be in their natural colors, and decided on a blue and gold border. Armstrong was concerned that "eleven" would not be understood by non-English speakers, so they went with "Apollo 11",{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=332–334}} and they decided not to put their names on the patch, so it would "be representative of ''everyone'' who had worked toward a lunar landing".{{sfn|Collins|2001|p=332}}

An illustrator at the [[Manned Spacecraft Center]] (MSC) did the artwork, which was then sent off to NASA officials for approval.{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=332–334}} The design was rejected. [[Bob Gilruth]], the director of the MSC felt the talons of the eagle looked "too warlike".{{sfn|Collins|2001|p=333}} After some discussion, the olive branch was moved to the talons.{{sfn|Collins|2001|p=333}} When the [[Eisenhower dollar|Eisenhower dollar coin]] was released in 1971, the patch design provided the eagle for its reverse side.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coinsite.com/CoinSite-PF/pparticles/$1eisen.asp |title=1971–78 Dollar Eisenhower |work=CoinSite |publisher=ROKO Design Group, Inc. |date=1994 |access-date=July 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830064148/http://www.coinsite.com/CoinSite-PF/pparticles/$1eisen.asp |archive-date=August 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The design was also used for the smaller [[Susan B. Anthony dollar]] unveiled in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |title=Susan B. Anthony Dollar—1979–1999 |url=http://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/?action=coinDetail&id=347 |publisher=United States Mint |access-date=August 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811123227/https://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/?action=coinDetail&id=347 |archive-date=August 11, 2014}}</ref>

=== Call signs ===
[[File:NASM-NASM2013-02663.jpg|thumb|Original cockpit of the command module (CM) with three seats, photographed from above. It is located in the [[National Air and Space Museum]], the very high resolution image was produced in 2007 by the [[Smithsonian Institution]].]]
After the crew of Apollo 10 named their spacecraft ''Charlie Brown'' and ''Snoopy'', assistant manager for public affairs [[Julian Scheer]] wrote to [[George Low]], the Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office at the MSC, to suggest the Apollo 11 crew be less flippant in naming their craft. The name ''Snowcone'' was used for the CM and ''Haystack'' was used for the LM in both internal and external communications during early mission planning.{{sfn|Marshall Space Flight Center|1969|p=8}}

The LM was named ''[[Lunar Module Eagle|Eagle]]'' after the motif which was featured prominently on the mission insignia. At Scheer's suggestion, the CM was named ''[[Command module Columbia|Columbia]]'' after ''[[Columbiad#In fiction|Columbiad]]'', the giant cannon that launched a spacecraft (also from Florida) in [[Jules Verne]]'s 1865 novel ''[[From the Earth to the Moon]]''. It also referred to [[Columbia (name)|Columbia]], a historical name of the United States.{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=334–335}}{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=331}} In Collins' 1976 book, he said ''Columbia'' was in reference to [[Christopher Columbus]].{{sfn|Collins|1994|p=116}}

=== Mementos ===

[[File:Apollo 11 Flown Silver Robbins Medallion (SN-416).jpg|thumb|alt=see caption|Apollo 11 space-flown silver [[NASA space-flown Gemini and Apollo medallions|Robbins medallion]]]]

The astronauts had [[personal preference kit]]s (PPKs), small bags containing personal items of significance they wanted to take with them on the mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kit-pilots-personal-preference-apollo-11 |title=Kit, Pilot's Personal Preference, Apollo 11 |website=Smithsonian Air and Space Museum |date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013811/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kit-pilots-personal-preference-apollo-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> Five {{convert|0.5|lb|adj=on}} PPKs were carried on Apollo 11: three (one for each astronaut) were stowed on ''Columbia'' before launch, and two on ''Eagle''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://spaceflownartifacts.com/flown_ppks.html |publisher=Space flown collectible artifacts |title=Personal Preference Kits (PPKs) |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224115639/http://spaceflownartifacts.com/flown_ppks.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neil Armstrong's LM PPK contained a piece of wood from the [[Wright brothers]]' 1903 ''[[Wright Flyer]]''{{'}}s left propeller and a piece of fabric from its wing,{{sfn|Hansen |2005|p=527}} along with a diamond-studded [[astronaut pin]] originally given to Slayton by the widows of the Apollo&nbsp;1 crew. This pin had been intended to be flown on that mission and given to Slayton afterwards, but following the disastrous launch pad fire and subsequent funerals, the widows gave the pin to Slayton. Armstrong took it with him on Apollo 11.{{sfn|Slayton|Cassutt|1994|pp=191–192}}

=== Site selection ===

{{Location mark+
| image = Lunar_site_selection_globe.jpg
| caption = Map of Moon showing prospective sites for Apollo 11. Site 2 was chosen.
| width = 220
| type = thumb
| float = right
| marks =
{{Location mark~
  | mark = 1_white,_blue_rounded_rectangle.svg
  | mark_link = Mare Tranquillitatis
  | width = 220
  | x = 760 | y = 365 }} <!-- x y positions relative to the image at 1000px width -->
{{Location mark~
  | mark = 2_white,_blue_rounded_rectangle.svg
  | mark_link = Mare Tranquillitatis
  | width = 220
  | x = 685 | y = 384 }}
{{Location mark~
  | mark = 3_white,_blue_rounded_rectangle.svg
  | mark_link = Sinus Medii
  | width = 220
  | x = 498 | y = 385 }}
{{Location mark~
  | mark = 4_white,_blue_rounded_rectangle.svg
  | mark_link = Oceanus Procellarum
  | width = 220
  | x = 235 | y = 421 }}
{{Location mark~
  | mark = 5_white,_blue_rounded_rectangle.svg
  | mark_link = Oceanus Procellarum
  | width = 220
  | x = 196 | y = 388 }}
}}
NASA's Apollo Site Selection Board announced five potential landing sites on February 8, 1968. These were the result of two years' worth of studies based on high-resolution photography of the lunar surface by the five uncrewed probes of the [[Lunar Orbiter program]] and information about surface conditions provided by the [[Surveyor program]].<ref name="Site Selection">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-lunar-landing-sites-selected |title=50 Years Ago: Lunar Landing Sites Selected |newspaper=NASA |access-date=September 22, 2018 |date=February 8, 2018 |last1=Garcia |first1=Mark |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927033702/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-lunar-landing-sites-selected/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The best Earth-bound telescopes could not resolve features with the resolution Project Apollo required.{{sfn|Cortright|1975|p=79}} The landing site had to be close to the lunar equator to minimize the amount of propellant required, clear of obstacles to minimize maneuvering, and flat to simplify the task of the landing radar. Scientific value was not a consideration.{{sfn|Harland|1999|p=19}}

Areas that appeared promising on photographs taken on Earth were often found to be totally unacceptable. The original requirement that the site be free of craters had to be relaxed, as no such site was found.{{sfn|Cortright|1975|pp=98–99}} Five sites were considered: Sites&nbsp;1 and&nbsp;2 were in the Sea of Tranquility (''[[Mare Tranquillitatis]]''); Site&nbsp;3 was in the Central Bay ({{itco|''[[Sinus Medii]]''}}); and Sites&nbsp;4 and&nbsp;5 were in the Ocean of Storms (''[[Oceanus Procellarum]]'').<ref name="Site Selection" />
The final site selection was based on seven criteria:
* The site needed to be smooth, with relatively few craters;
* with approach paths free of large hills, tall cliffs or deep craters that might confuse the landing radar and cause it to issue incorrect readings;
* reachable with a minimum amount of propellant;
* allowing for delays in the launch countdown;
* providing the Apollo spacecraft with a free-return trajectory, one that would allow it to coast around the Moon and safely return to Earth without requiring any engine firings should a problem arise on the way to the Moon;
* with good visibility during the landing approach, meaning the Sun would be between 7&nbsp;and 20 degrees behind the LM; and
* a general slope of less than two degrees in the landing area.<ref name="Site Selection" />

The requirement for the Sun angle was particularly restrictive, limiting the launch date to one day per month.<ref name="Site Selection" /> A landing just after dawn was chosen to limit the temperature extremes the astronauts would experience.{{sfn|Collins|1994|p=7}} The Apollo Site Selection Board selected Site&nbsp;2, with Sites 3&nbsp;and&nbsp;5 as backups in the event of the launch being delayed. In May 1969, Apollo 10's lunar module flew to within {{convert|15|km|sp=us}} of Site&nbsp;2, and reported it was acceptable.{{sfn|Cappellari|1972|p=976}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/orbital-missions/apollo10-facts.cfm|title=Apollo 10|website=Smithsonian Air and Space Museum|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206101450/https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/orbital-missions/apollo10-facts.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== First-step decision ===
During the first press conference after the Apollo 11 crew was announced, the first question was, "Which one of you gentlemen will be the first man to step onto the lunar surface?"{{sfn|Chaikin|1994|p=148}}{{sfn|Hansen|2005|p=360}} Slayton told the reporter it had not been decided, and Armstrong added that it was "not based on individual desire".{{sfn|Chaikin|1994|p=148}}

One of the first versions of the egress checklist had the lunar module pilot exit the spacecraft before the commander, which matched what had been done on Gemini missions,{{sfn|Collins|2001|p=347}} where the commander had never performed the spacewalk.{{sfn|Aldrin|Abraham|2016|pp=57–58}} Reporters wrote in early 1969 that Aldrin would be the first man to walk on the Moon, and Associate Administrator [[George Mueller (NASA)|George Mueller]] told reporters he would be first as well. Aldrin heard that Armstrong would be the first because Armstrong was a civilian, which made Aldrin livid. Aldrin attempted to persuade other lunar module pilots he should be first, but they responded cynically about what they perceived as a lobbying campaign. Attempting to stem interdepartmental conflict, Slayton told Aldrin that Armstrong would be first since he was the commander. The decision was announced in a press conference on April 14, 1969.{{sfn|Hansen|2005|pp=363–365}}

For decades, Aldrin believed the final decision was largely driven by the lunar module's hatch location. Because the astronauts had their spacesuits on and the spacecraft was so small, maneuvering to exit the spacecraft was difficult. The crew tried a simulation in which Aldrin left the spacecraft first, but he damaged the simulator while attempting to egress. While this was enough for mission planners to make their decision, Aldrin and Armstrong were left in the dark on the decision until late spring.{{sfn|Chaikin|1994|p=149}} Slayton told Armstrong the plan was to have him leave the spacecraft first, if he agreed. Armstrong said, "Yes, that's the way to do it."{{sfn|Chaikin|1994|p=150}}

The media accused Armstrong of exercising his commander's prerogative to exit the spacecraft first.{{sfn|Schefter|1999|p=281}} [[Chris Kraft]] revealed in his 2001 autobiography that a meeting occurred between Gilruth, Slayton, Low, and himself to make sure Aldrin would not be the first to walk on the Moon. They argued that the first person to walk on the Moon should be like [[Charles Lindbergh]], a calm and quiet person. They made the decision to change the flight plan so the commander was the first to egress from the spacecraft.{{sfn|Hansen|2005|pp=371–372}}

=== Pre-launch ===

[[File:69-HC-620 - SA506.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Saturn V SA-506, the rocket carrying the Apollo 11 spacecraft, moves out of the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] towards [[Launch Complex 39]].]]

The ascent stage of [[Lunar Module Eagle|LM-5 ''Eagle'']] arrived at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] on January 8, 1969, followed by the descent stage four days later, and [[Command module Columbia|CSM-107 ''Columbia'']] on January 23.<ref name="Mission Overview">{{cite web |title=Apollo 11 Mission Overview |publisher=NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html |first=Sarah |last=Loff |access-date=September 22, 2018 |date=April 17, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209204039/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There were several differences between ''Eagle'' and Apollo 10's LM-4 ''Snoopy''; ''Eagle'' had a VHF radio antenna to facilitate communication with the astronauts during their EVA on the lunar surface; a lighter ascent engine; more thermal protection on the landing gear; and a package of scientific experiments known as the [[Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package]] (EASEP). The only change in the configuration of the command module was the removal of some insulation from the forward hatch.{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=472}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/apollo-to-the-moon/online/science/scientific-experiments.cfm |title=Scientific Experiments |website=Smithsonian Air and Space Museum |access-date=September 22, 2018 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024085033/https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/apollo-to-the-moon/online/science/scientific-experiments.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref> The CSM was mated on January 29, and moved from the [[Operations and Checkout Building]] to the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] on April 14.<ref name="Mission Overview" />

The [[S-IVB]] third stage of Saturn V AS-506 had arrived on January 18, followed by the [[S-II]] second stage on February 6, [[S-IC]] first stage on February 20, and the [[Saturn V Instrument Unit]] on February 27. At 12:30 on May 20, the {{convert|5443|t|adj=on}} assembly departed the Vehicle Assembly Building atop the [[crawler-transporter]], bound for Launch Pad 39A, part of [[Launch Complex 39]], while Apollo 10 was still on its way to the Moon. A countdown test commenced on June 26, and concluded on July 2. The launch complex was floodlit on the night of July 15, when the crawler-transporter carried the [[service structure|mobile service structure]] back to its parking area.<ref name="Mission Overview" /> In the early hours of the morning, the fuel tanks of the S-II and S-IVB stages were filled with [[liquid hydrogen]].{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=474}} Fueling was completed by three hours before launch.{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=475}} Launch operations were partly automated, with 43 programs written in the [[ATOLL (programming language)|ATOLL programming language]].{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|pp=355–356}}

Slayton roused the crew shortly after 04:00, and they showered, shaved, and had the traditional pre-flight breakfast of steak and eggs with Slayton and the backup crew. They then donned their space suits and began breathing pure oxygen. At 06:30, they headed out to Launch Complex 39.{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=355–357}} Haise entered ''Columbia'' about three hours and ten minutes before launch time. Along with a technician, he helped Armstrong into the left-hand couch at 06:54. Five minutes later, Collins joined him, taking up his position on the right-hand couch. Finally, Aldrin entered, taking the center couch.{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=475}} Haise left around two hours and ten minutes before launch.<ref name="AP11FJ">{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/afj/ap11fj/01launch.html|title=Day 1, Part 1: Launch|via=NASA|access-date=October 11, 2018|publisher=Apollo Flight Journal|last1=Woods|first1=W. David|last2=MacTaggart|first2=Kenneth D.|last3=O'Brien|first3=Frank|date=June 6, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205085922/https://history.nasa.gov/afj/ap11fj/01launch.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The closeout crew sealed the hatch, and the cabin was purged and pressurized. The closeout crew then left the launch complex about an hour before launch time. The countdown became automated at three minutes and twenty seconds before launch time.{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=475}} Over 450 personnel were at the consoles in the [[firing room]].{{sfn|Benson|Faherty|1978|p=474}}