#lta-b

Left: Apollo 8 leaving the VAB in 1968.

Right: Artemis II leaving the VAB in 2026.

Launch of Apollo 8 Saturn V (CSM-103/SA-503) from Launch Complex 39A.

Date: December 21, 1968

The Apollo 8 Saturn V (CSM-103/LTA-B/SA-503) stack at Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This was during a prelaunch alert-mobile service structure pull back. (Mobile launch tower on left and mobile service structure on right.)

Date: December 17, 1968

Rollout of Apollo 8 Saturn V (CSM-103/LTA-B/SA-503) on Mobile Launcher-1 to Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Date: October 9, 1968

"Pre-launch night views of Apollo 8 Saturn V (CSM-103/SA-503) on pad 39A during MSS Mobile Service Structure pullback at KSC."

Date: December 20, 1968

“MOON-BOUND APOLLO 8 --Separated from the McDonnell Douglas-built S-IVB rocket (foreground), Apollo 8, with its crew of three astronauts, speeds toward moon and historic first lunar fly-around. When astronauts splash down in the Pacific Ocean, they will have flown 230,000 miles from earth (370,150 km) and orbited the moon 10 times. As third stage of Saturn V launch vehicle, S-IVB will fire for 2.6 minutes to propel Apollo 8 into parking orbit. Following orbital checkout of rocket and spacecraft, S-IVB will restart and propel Apollo 8 into translunar trajectory, as shown in artist’s rendering. McDonnel Douglas Astronautics Company, a division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, builds the S-IVB for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Marshall Space Flight Center.”

Date: December 21, 1968

Diagram highlighting the key aspects of the Apollo 8 (AS-503) orbital lunar mission.

Date: December 1968

"Taken in the White Room next to the Apollo 8 spacecraft. Bill Anders gets a hug from a member of the pad team before entering the Command Module. In the background and to the left can be seen the open outer hatch that is part of the Boost Protective Cover (BPC)."

Date: December 21, 1968