Apollo+40: Apollo 11 Ready for Launch

Commander Neil Armstrong leads Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin to the transfer van on their way to Launch Complex 39, Pad A for the flight of Apollo 11 (Image: NASA)

Deke Slayton, NASA's Director of Flight Crew Operations woke the Apollo 11 crewmembers just after 4:00AM. After brief physical examinations, Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins sat down for the traditional pre-flight astronaut breakfast of steak and eggs. After suiting up and beginning to breathe the 100 percent oxygen atmosphere they'd be using in flight, the crew departed for the launch pad amidst the cheers and well wishes of NASA.

The countdown is proceeding well; a few minor glitches have been resolved, but otherwise all is well with Saturn V booster #506, Command/Service Module #107, and Lunar Module #5.

Apollo 11 is targeted for launch at the beginning of the window at 9:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time.