Challenger

Lunar module used during Apollo 17. Challenger was launched on December 7, 1972 aboard a Saturn V from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Dec 7, 1972).

COSPAR 1972-096CNORAD 6307United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Apollo 17 LM
Common name: Challenger
Payload designation: LM 12 AS
Other names: Challenger
International designator: 1972-096C
NORAD catalog number: 6307
GCAT identifier: S06307
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.269

Mission

Mission type: Human spaceflight
Use: Civil government
Program: LM AS
Owner: MSC
Country: United States
Builder: Grummann Aerospace Corporation
Platform (bus): LM AS

Launch

Date: December 7, 1972 · 05:33 UTC
Launch record: 1972-096Success
Rocket: Saturn V
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC39A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 201 km
Apogee: 457,377 km
Inclination: 28.47°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: December 7, 1972
Last known active: Dec 14, 1972
End of operations: Dec 14, 1972

Size

Mass: 4,723 kg
Dry mass: 2,059 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 16.4 t
Length: 3.2 m
Diameter: 4.30 m
Span: 3.2 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00464
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: December 10, 1972
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · December 10, 1972
Destination: Luna

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Dec 7, 1972	Earth	Dec 10, 1972	Escaped to another body	Luna
Dec 10, 1972	Luna	Dec 11, 1972	Landed	Luna
Dec 11, 1972	Luna	Dec 14, 1972	Lifted off from another world	D01071

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Luna	Ascent vehicle	Landed and operated	Dec 11, 1972	—	20.19, 30.77

Launched together

Apollo 17 Command and Service ModuleHuman spaceflight · MSC

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q28101399 (CC0).