Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Roger. Copy.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Houston, how do you read? Apollo 8.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Loud and clear.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Okay, Jerry. At 67, we are going over to the LOI 1 attitude, do a sextant star check, and then we will have to go back to PTC. I want to know if you want us to go back to the same attitudes we are at now?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. That is affirmative, Frank. We are getting ready to ask you to do an erasable dump, VERB 47. We are ginning up to get ready for it now, and we will call you as soon as we are ready to copy.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Understand. VERB 47 when you call.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. We are setting up for the dump now. It will take about 3 minutes and 20 seconds once we start the dump. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. Can you point out the position of this Zeta Persei to us a little better? We don't have it marked on our charts. We have got Mirfak, and we know Algol, but which one is Zeta Persei?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger, Frank. Persei Zeta is just about exactly between Aldebaran and Mirfak.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. We are ready for your CMC erasable dump. Key VERB 74 ENTER. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Houston, Apollo 8. Are you getting the dump?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Indications are that we are getting it; we are checking. You will have to leave the computer alone for 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. We are getting your dump low bit rate through Honeysuckle.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Persei Zeta is a third magnitude star same as Enif. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Same magnitude as Enif.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Jerry, when are you going to send us the TEI 1 and the rest of that block data?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. PC plus 2 does not need an update. We'll have your TEI 1 and 2 in about 10 minutes. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Go ahead, Houston. Apollo 8.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. The dump is complete; you can have your computer back. The reason for the dump was to investigate further the P52 anomaly you had about 4 hours ago. We will try to have some words for you in about 20 or 30 minutes. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

You mean when it wouldn't come up with the proper star?

Frank Borman (CDR)

We are going to go ahead and start our maneuver to LOI 1 attitude.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. Standing by to monitor.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

During the flight, I noticed that the AUTO optics wouldn't drive to the star pick-a-pair selected. Example, it picked Alpheratz at one time, wouldn't drive there, drove to a spot that had no star; and I went back and reselected the program and came back, and it worked okay.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Jim, is this anomaly you are talking about—was that 4 hours ago when we did the REFSMMAT align?

Jim Lovell (CMP)

This happened, I think, yesterday. When we—we were doing a regular REFSMMAT alignment. Alpheratz was the first star selected, and it didn't drive to Alpheratz; and I ran and reselected the program again, and it worked okay.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Jerry, this is Apollo 8.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Our PAD here is—Roger. Our PAD here hasn't been correct. I understand the gimbal angles for LOI 1 are roll 0, pitch 200, and yaw 5. Is that correct?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Affirmative, Frank. That is correct.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston with a map update. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Okay. Stand by a minute.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Map update REV 1, slash 2: 68:58:04 69:05:05 69:31:41 70:14:48. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. Remarks: Charlie Poppa 1, 71:14:57, Charlie Poppa 2, 71:28:32, Charlie Poppa 3, 71:47:26, Bravo 1, 72:09:42. Over.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Roger. Standby. I'll get the antenna.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Map update as follows, Houston: 68:58:04 69:05:05 69:31:41 70:14:48 70:56:36 71:00:59 71:10:42 71:39:40 72:23:17; Charlie Poppa 1, 71:14:57, Charlie Poppa 2, 71:28:32, Charlie Poppa 3, 71:47:26, Bravo 1, 72:09:42.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Readback is correct.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Try to lock up an OMNI for us. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

How do you read now, Houston?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Reading you loud and clear. No TM.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Go ahead, Houston. Apollo 8.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger, Frank. How far are you from your gimbal drive check? Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

We're just maneuvering to the attitude now.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger, Frank. Can you lock up the high gain at that attitude? We have a telemetry problem. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

We'll try to. I don't know if we can or not; have to wait until we get there.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Houston, this is Apollo 8. We cannot get the high gain at the burn attitude.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger, Frank. Thanks anyway.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. We have a handover from Honeysuckle to Guam in about two minutes.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Loud and clear. How me?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Loud and clear. How me? Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Go ahead, Houston. Apollo 8 here.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. I have TEI 1 and TEI 2 PAD'S. We still have no telemetry; expect to get it soon. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. You think it's a ground problem?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. It's a ground problem; we just got it back.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Houston, Apollo 8. Go ahead with your data.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston with an LOI 1 PAD. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. Understand. LOI 1.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

That is affirmative, LOI 1, SPS/G&N: 62844 1, correction, minus 161, plus 129 069:08:19.52, minus 29840, plus 02390, plus 01053. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. We broke lock; did not get the DELTA-VX.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Roger. Beginning with DELTA-VX: minus 29840, plus 02390, plus 01053 000 200 005 01693, plus 00600 29954 402 29788. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. 01 0688 259, Persei Zeta, down 048, left 05. The remainder not applicable. Sirius, Rigel, 129 155 010; negative ullage. Horizon window, ignition minus 2 minutes, 40 degrees unlit, ignition 27 degrees unlit. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. LOI 1, SPS/G&N: 62844 minus 161, plus 129 069:08:19.52, minus 29840, plus 02390, plus 01053 000 200 005 01693, plus 00600 29954 402 29788 01 0688 259, Persei Zeta, down 048, left 05; Sirius, Rigel, 129 155 010: no ullage, horizon 2 minutes 40 degrees unlit, ignition 27 degrees unlit.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Readback is correct. Ready to copy TEI 1. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Are you waiting for us before you start your gimbal check? Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

We can start the gimbals check right here.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. You want to copy while you're doing it or stand by on TEI 1?

Frank Borman (CDR)

Stand by for a minute.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Shifting command back to Honeysuckle. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. How did that gimbal drive check go?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger, Frank. We're ready with the TEI 1 and 2 maneuver PAD's. We've also got two state vectors and a target load to uplink and load if you'll configure for it. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. We're trying to get the high gain now. We're maneuvering to PTC attitude.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Go ahead with your TEI PAD's.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. TEI 1, SPS/G&N: 462, correction, 46728, minus 053, plus 121 071:25:04.73, plus 37746, minus 03299, plus 00824. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. 179 346 357, not applicable, plus 00176 37900 336 37705 42 1279 309. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. NA, NA, NA, plus 1350, minus 16500 13050 36389 122:10:45; Sirius, Rigel, 129 155 010, ullage two-jet, 20 seconds jet Bravo Delta, horizon window X-axis on horizon at ignition minus 3 minutes; assumes LOI 1. Over.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Houston, Apollo 8. TEI 1 as follows: SPS/G&N: 46728, minus 053, plus 121 071:25:04.73. Copy?

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Plus 37746, minus 03299, plus 00844 179 346 357, not applicable, plus 00176 37900 336 37705 42 1279 309, not applicable three times, plus 1350, minus 16500 13050 36389 122:10:45; Sirius, Rigel, 129 155 010, ullage two jets, 20 seconds, quads B and D, horizon window X-axis on horizon at TIG minus 3, assumes LOI 1.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Roger. Correct.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Standing by for TEI 2, if you have it.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Will be ready with the TEI 2 in about 1 minute.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston with a TEI 2 maneuver PAD.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Roger. Ready to copy.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. TEI 2 SPS/G&N: 46728, minus 053, plus 121. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. 073:21:30.24, plus 28466, minus 00350, plus 02406 180 022 002, not applicable, plus 00188. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. 28570 250 28401 42 0641 296, not applicable three times, plus 0920, minus 16500 12953 36175 146:32:16. Copy?

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Copy. Looks like you left out a digit …

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Request you switch your OMNI. It's getting pretty garbled now.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Houston, this is Apollo 8. I copied. I question the latitude and the range to go. It appears that you gave me one too few digits in both cases.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. I repeat, latitude plus 0920, minus 16500 12953 36175 146:32:16. Copy?

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. Your GDC align is no change, ullage no change, horizon on the minus 2-degree line at ignition minus 3 minutes, assumes LOI 1. Over.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Roger. TEI 2 maneuver PAD, SPS/G&N: 46728, minus 053, plus 121 073:21:30.24 plus 28466 minus 00352. I did not get the 502406 for a DELTA-VZ. 180 022 002, not applicable, plus 00188 28570 250 28401 42 0641 296, not applicable three times, plus 0920 minus 16500 12953 36175 146:32:16. No change in the GDC align stars, no change in ullage, a rise on the minus P-degree line at TIG minus 3, assumes LOI 1.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Roger. Correct. I repeat DELTA-VZ plus 02406. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. If you can go 00 and ACCEPT, we'll start the NAV loads.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. The CM vector is in; working on the LM now. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. We'd like a cryo fan cycle when you can. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. We're starting that now.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. The LM vector is loaded. Target load going in now.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. The update is complete. You can have the computer, TLM to BLOCK. Be advised the erasable dump checks out okay.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

Roger. Thank you. We have the computer; we're in BLOCK.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. We'd like to make at this time a down-voice backup COMM check. Set the S-band AUX tape to DOWN-VOICE BACKUP, TLM inputs PCM, LOW. Over.

Bill Anders (LMP)

Roger, Houston. And we'd like to have a check of our DSE on low bit rate for voicing.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. Understand you want the DSE check on low bit rate for voice.

Frank Borman (CDR)

That's affirmative, and we'll give it about 10 minutes now or about 5 minutes, then you can check it out.

Jim Lovell (CMP)

As a matter of interest, we have as yet to see the moon.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. What else are you seeing?

Bill Anders (LMP)

Nothing. It's like being on the inside of a submarine.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Houston, we just did a PROGRAM 21, and we show a pericynthian of plus 74.9 miles on the state vector you just uploaded.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston. Reading your down-voice backup loud and clear. Request you keep those switches where they are for the remainder of the pass. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. And we're rewinding the tape recorder for a dump for a DSE voice check.

Frank Borman (CDR)

It's rewound; are you ready to dump?

Frank Borman (CDR)

We'd like to go to S-band AUX tape briefly so you can dump the tape while we're on the high gain. We've only got about 30 seconds worth.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Roger. We'll do that from the ground. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. Switch configuration is down-voice backup and stop. You got it.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. We will dump it.

Frank Borman (CDR)

You won't need to dump more than a minute's worth.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, Houston. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Roger. This is Apollo 8.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. That pericynthian you read out is for ignition. We read that as 75 miles; your true pericynthian is 64 miles at 69:10:35. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Apollo 8, this is Houston with an addition to your TEI 1 maneuver PAD. Over.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Roger. Under remarks, add the following: “requires minus MA procedure”. Over.

Frank Borman (CDR)

Requires minus MA procedure.

Jerry Carr (CAPCOM)

Affirmative, 8.

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Spoken on Dec. 24, 1968, 7:44 a.m. UTC (55 years, 10 months ago). Link to this transcript range is: Tweet