allowed astronauts to walk on the moon.

It was split up into 3 parts

the Command Module, the Service Module

and the Lunar Module.

Later on, we'll talk about what each module does,

but first, let's talk about the launch vehicle that gets us into orbit.

The Saturn Five rocket.

Each mission was launched from

Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Mission Control was all the way in Houston, Texas.

The Saturn Five rocket was 363 feet tall.

Just to get a good size comparison,

here's the size of a person,

and here is the size of a Boeing 747.

The Saturn Five was split up into 3 stages;

they referred to each stage by a technical name.

The first stage was called the S-1C

and was powered by five F1 rocket engines.

The second stage was called the S2, and was powered

by five, slightly smaller, J2 rocket engines.

The third stage was called the S-4B and was powered

by only one J2 rocket engine.

The actual spacecraft, was stored up at the top of the

rocket stages.

Here is the Lunar Module, which would actually land on

the Moon.

During the launch, it was protected by four panels,

known as the spacecraft Lunar Module adapter.

The Service Module contain the engines necessary to

enter and leave lunar orbit as well as fuel cells

and other electrical components.

The Command Module is where the 3 astronauts spent

most of their time.

At the very top, you'll find the Launch Escape System.

In the event of an emergency, it would carry

the Command Module safely away from the rocket.

The structure you see next to the Saturn Five

is called the Launch Umbilical Tower.

You'll notice there are 9 service arms that provide

access to the Saturn Five.

On the day of the launch, the 3 astronauts ride an

elevator to the top service arm.

The White Room is where they enter the Command Module.

Four of the service arms are moved out of the way

before the launch.

The First Stage ignites 8 seconds before the Saturn Five

leaves the ground.

As the Saturn Five starts to rise,

the remaining 5 service arms quickly rotate to get out of

the way.

It takes about 12 seconds for the rocket to completely

clear the tower.

As the Saturn Five picks up speed,

the astronauts will feel as much as 4 G's, or 4 times

the amount of gravity pressing them into their seats.

The First Stage shuts off at 2 minutes 42 seconds

at a height of about 42 miles.

Explosive bolts detonate releasing the first stage,

letting it to fall back down to the Atlantic Ocean;

shortly after, the second stage fires up.

We're high enough in the atmosphere now, that the

Launch Escape System is no longer needed.

The second stage shuts off at 9 minutes and 12 seconds

at a height of 109 miles.

The third stage fires up for a short amount of time

to get the astronauts into a Parking Orbit

of 118 miles.

We'll talk more about the Parking Orbit in the next video.

It shuts off at 11 minutes and 39 seconds, but does not detach yet.

One of the hardest parts of the mission is over, but the adventure doesn't stop here.

Please join me in part two, as we continue our journey towards the Moon.