A brief summary of all successful Mars lander missions

originally posted by: firerescue
a reply to: LookingAtMars

US intelligence had detected plans for the manned ZOND mission. In August 1968 decided to flip the script and roll the dice

Apollo 8 was originally be checkout of the LEM in earth orbit.. Do to delays LEM would not be ready until spring 1969

NASA, rather than have another earth orbit mission of little value and with possibility of Soviets beating us to the moon
Decided to change mission to lunar orbit. This was after SATURN V experienced severe problems on April test flight (Apollo 6) Despite this Nasa rolled the dice, trusting that Von Braun could fix the problems

Rest they say is history as Apollo 8 circled moon at Christmas 1968

If only NASA had known the Soviets weren’t getting to the moon anytime soon they could have taken their time and fewer risks. Apollo 8’s crew would have died if it had the same problem as Apollo 13 — no Lunar Module to serve as a lifeboat.

I admire the heck out of the astronauts and cosmonauts involved in the Space Race. They were always ready to risk their lives for the honor and pride of their respective nations. They flew on missions they knew were highly dangerous, which was actually every mission. Those men were very special; not like ordinary people. Time after time they managed to extricate themselves from situations that would have ended in their deaths if they didn’t keep their cool. Like Armstrong on Gemini 8. After docking with the Agena Target Vehicle, an uncontrollable roll began so the crew undocked. But the problem was with the Gemini’s orbital attitude and maneuvering system, or OAMS. It began tumbling rapidly and Armstrong and Scott couldn’t figure out why at first.

NASA: “As the spin rate approached one revolution per second, the astronauts' vision became blurred. The tumbling needed to be stopped.

“Armstrong's quick thinking led him to turn off the entire OAMS system and then use the re-entry control system, or RCS, thrusters on the nose of the spacecraft to regain command of Gemini VIII and stop the spin.”

White said Armstrong saved their lives with his quick thinking, as they were on the verge of losing consciousness.