Countdown to Apollo at 50
Learn about the Apollo Program and Project Apollo, NASA's spaceflight program that successfully landed a man on the Moon. We have great resources here about the Apollo Program, Lunar Module, Saturn V Rocket, Leroy Grumman and more.
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Did you know that Long Island was one of the most important regions in the country involved in the success of landing man on the moon? From 1961 to 1972, Grumman employees, designed, assembled and tested the Apollo Lunar Modules that successfully landed 12 men on the moon between 1969-1972.
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Apollo 17 - Commander Gene Cernan is working at the Lunar Rover during EVA-3. Photo taken by Harrison Schmitt, Lunar Module Pilot.
In all, Grumman built ten Lunar Modules, seven of which went into space and three that remain here on earth. One is at the Kennedy Space Center, one at the Smithsonian Museum and the third is here at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Long Island and Grumman’s role in the Apollo program is the focus of the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s celebration, “Countdown to Apollo at 50”.
Apollo on Exhibit at the Cradle of Aviation Museum
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See the largest Apollo artifact collection currently on display anywhere.
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The 13th and final Lunar Module was never flown and is on permanent display in our Space Gallery.
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See the simulator that all of the Moonwalkers trained on.
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The Command Module (CM) was the control center for the Apollo spacecraft and provided the living and workspace for the three-man crew.
Apollo History and Learning
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A National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark
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In November 1967, with the Space Age barely 10 years old, NASA was about to take one giant leap forward: the first flight of the Saturn 5 Moon rocket.
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By Thomas J. Kelly, Father of the Lunar Module
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Biographical data about Leroy Grumman
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This is a resource page for primary source materials (e.g. oral histories, first-hand histories, milestones, etc.) related to commemorating human space travel, the Saturn and Apollo Projects, and the Lunar landings of 1969.
“Countdown to Apollo at 50” is a monumental program as it celebrates one of the greatest achievements in U.S. history. Long Island’s role in Apollo’s success cannot be denied and must be underscored to our children. We invite everyone to come and celebrate the amazing work accomplished right here on Long Island and we hope that it inspires future generations.” - Andrew Parton, President, Cradle of Aviation Museum
Ongoing Program Highlights
- Space Gallery & Apollo Artifact Exhibit featuring a real Lunar Module
- Museum Visits from Astronauts, Scientists and Aerospace Professionals
- Live Astronomy Shows for all ages in our Full Dome Planetarium
We have some great Apollo items available in our online store and much more when you come to visit in person!
Countdown to Apollo Event Calendar
Virtual Museum Home > Apollo at 50
