:23:00
After the moonwalks, the descent stage
will serve as a launch platform...
:23:03
for the ascent stage...
the cockpit of the LEM...
:23:07
which the astronauts
will fly into lunar orbit...
:23:08
for their rendezvous
with the command module.
:23:11
Now, this particular ascent stage
belonged to LEM 3.
:23:14
LEM 1 and 2 were designed and built
for unmanned test flights.
:23:18
LEM 3 would be the first
to be flown in space by astronauts.
:23:24
We worked hand in hand
with the astronauts...
:23:26
from the beginning of LEM program.
:23:30
They showed us
what we were doing right...
:23:33
and what we were doing wrong.
:23:37
From early on much of their attention
was given to LEM 3.
:23:40
But it wasn't until
a day in November, 1966...
:23:43
that NASA decided which crew
would be the one to actually fly her.
:23:47
I just got off the phone
with Deke Slayton, gentlemen.
:23:49
The crew assigned to take
the LEM 3 into space...
:23:53
on the first manned flight
of a lunar module is as follows:
:23:57
Commander Jim McDivitt...
:23:59
a Gemini vet,
one of the best pilots in the program...
:24:02
command module pilot Dave Scott...
:24:05
another Gemini vet...
:24:06
and flying right beside McDivitt
as his L.M. P...
:24:09
Rusty Schweickart, a rookie.
:24:11
Now...
:24:12
any crew is a good crew.
:24:15
But these guys...
:24:16
Well, I think we're pretty fortunate...
:24:18
because, gentlemen,
this won't be an easy mission.
:24:21
We're off the lake, Jim.
Can we talk business now?
:24:24
Well, if you insist.
:24:28
I've been goin' over the mission plan...
:24:30
and it looks a little rough.
:24:31
- It is kind of ambitious, Jim.
- Heck, it's not ambitious.
:24:35
It's impossible.
:24:38
Look, everyone's focusing
on us flying the LEM.
:24:40
It's only a small part of it.
:24:42
Every mission's got a few things
that's never been done before.
:24:44
This one's got about ten:
:24:47
First manned launch of a LEM,
first docking extraction of a LEM...
:24:50
first men in a LEM in space.
:24:53
And we just go out
and fly the LEM, right?
:24:55
Wrong.
:24:58
Before we can even undock the LEM
from the command module...