Apollo 10

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The Apollo 10 mission was the fourth crewed mission in NASA's Apollo program and was conducted in May 1969, just two months before the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Its primary objective was to perform a "dress rehearsal" for the lunar landing by testing all aspects of the mission except for the actual touchdown.

The crew of Apollo 10 consisted of Commander Thomas Stafford, Command Module Pilot John Young, and Lunar Module Pilot Eugene Cernan. They flew the Command/Service Module (CSM) named "Charlie Brown" and the Lunar Module (LM) called "Snoopy."

Apollo 10 launched on May 18, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It entered lunar orbit after a few days and performed several critical tasks. The LM separated from the CSM and descended within about 50,000 feet (15 kilometers) of the lunar surface, coming tantalizingly close to actually landing. This allowed the crew to assess the lunar module's performance and evaluate potential landing sites.

During their lunar orbit, the crew took detailed photographs, collected data on the Moon's gravitational field, and scouted potential landing locations. They also tested the LM's ascent engine and rendezvoused and docked with the CSM, simulating the return journey from the Moon.

After completing their objectives, Apollo 10 departed the Moon and returned to Earth, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean on May 26, 1969. The mission was considered a complete success and provided crucial data and experience for the upcoming Apollo 11 mission, which achieved the first human landing on the Moon.

Overall, Apollo 10 demonstrated that all the necessary hardware and procedures were in place for a successful lunar landing. It played a crucial role in paving the way for Apollo 11 and the historic moment when humans first set foot on the lunar surface.