Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission These three astronauts are the prime crew of the Apollo 9 (Spacecraft 104/Lunar Module 3/Saturn 504) space mission. Left to right, are James A. McDivitt, commander; David R. Scott, command module pilot; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. The Apollo 9 launch took place in March 1969. In the background is the Apollo 8 space vehicle on Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, which was launched on December 21, 1968. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission In this Feb. 17, 1969, file photo, the Apollo 9 crew is shown suited up for a simulated flight in the Apollo Mission Simulator at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Left to right are astronauts James A. McDivitt, commander; David R. Scott, command module pilot; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Apollo 9 (Spacecraft 104/Lunar Module 3/Saturn 504) space vehicle is launched from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 11 a.m. EST March 3, 1969. Aboard the spacecraft are astronauts James A. McDivitt, commander; David R. Scott, command module pilot; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Apollo 9 (Spacecraft 104/Lunar Module 3/ Saturn 504) space vehicle is launched from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 11 a.m. EST March 3, 1969. Aboard the spacecraft are astronauts James A. McDivitt, commander; David R. Scott, command module pilot; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Lunar Module (LM) 3 "Spider," still attached to the Saturn V third (S-IVB) stage, is photographed from the Command/Service Module (CSM) "Gumdrop" on the first day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission. This picture was taken following CSM/LM-S-IVB separation,and prior to LM extraction from the S-IVB. The Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) panels have already been jettisoned. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, operates a 70mm Hasselblad camera during his extravehicular activity on the fourth day of the Apollo 9 earth-orbital mission in March 1969. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, stands in "golden slippers" on the Lunar Module porch during his extravehicular activity on the fourth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission in March 1969. This photograph was taken from inside the Lunar Module "Spider." The Command and Service Modules were docked to the LM. Schweickart is wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Inside the "Spider" was astronaut James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 crew commander. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls of the Command Module, "Gumdrop." (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission A view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module (LM), "Spider," in a lunar lading configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules (CSM) on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission in March 1969. The landing gear on the "Spider" has been deployed. Inside the "Spider" were astronauts James A. McDivitt, Apollo 9 commander; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot, remained at the controls in the Command Module (CM), "Gumdrop," while the other two astronauts checked out the LM. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Apollo 9 spacecraft, with astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott and Russell L. Schweickart aboard, approaches touchdown in the Atlantic recovery area. Splashdown occurred at noon EST March 13, 1969, only 4.5 nautical miles from the prime recovery ship, USS Guadalcanal. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission In this November 1968 file photo, the Apollo 9 prime crew participates in water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. Apollo Command Module Boilerplate 1102 was used in the training. Egressing the boilerplate is astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot. Inside the boilerplate, out of view, are astronauts James A. McDivitt, commander; and Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot. A team of MSC swimmers assisted in the exercise. The inflated bags were used to upright the boilerplate prior to egress. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Apollo 9 crew men walk on a red carpet after arriving aboard the prime recovery ship, USS Guadalcanal. Left to right, are astronauts Russell L. Schweickart, David R. Scott and James A. McDivitt. They are walking from the recovery helicopter which picked them up from the splashdown area. Splashdown occurred at noon EST March 13, 1969, only 4.5 nautical miles from the USS Guadalcanal to conclude a successful 10-day Earth-orbital space mission. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission The Apollo 9 crewmen arrive aboard the USS Guadalcanal as they step from a helicopter to receive a red-carpet welcome. Two of the crewmen salute the crowd of newsmen, Navy and NASA personnel gathered to greet them. Left to right, are astronauts Russell L. Schweickart, David R. Scott and James A. McDivitt. Splashdown occurred at noon EST March 13, 1969, only 4.5 nautical miles from the USS Guadalcanal, prime recovery ship, to conclude a successful 10-day Earth-orbital space mission. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Photos: Remembering NASA's Apollo 9 mission In this November 1968 file photo, astronaut James A. McDivitt, commander of the Apollo 9 prime crew, is hoisted up to a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter in a new type rescue net during water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
