A flawless launch - Apollo 8 is on it's way to the Moon. If all goes well, it will take three days to travel approximately 240,000 miles, and arrive in the vicinity of the Moon on Christmas Eve.
Here's another view of that launch, this time taken by remote camera at the top of the service tower, about level with the Apollo capsule containing the crew, approximately 365 feet above the ground.
Since the launch to Earth orbit, jettisoning the first (S-1C) and second (SII) stages along the way, Apollo 8 has been checking out all systems in preparation for a TLI (Trans Lunar Injection) burn of the third stage (S-IVB). The trusty third stage has already powered the Apollo 8 spacecraft on the final leg to Earth orbit before being shut down. Now travelling at around 17,000 miles per hour, it will be restarted to accelerate the Apollo 8 spacecraft to 27,000 miles per hour, enough speed to escape Earth's gravity and reach the Moon on Christmas Eve.
Join us soon for another.....
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