// human spaceflight · 1972

Orion

Lunar module used during Apollo 16. Orion was launched on April 16, 1972 aboard a Saturn V from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Apr 17, 1972).

COSPAR 1972-031CNORAD 6005United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Apollo 16 LM
Common name: Orion
Payload designation: LM 11 AS
Other names: Orion
International designator: 1972-031C
NORAD catalog number: 6005
GCAT identifier: S06005
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.257

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: April 16, 1972 · 17:54 UTC
Launch record: 1972-031Success
Rocket: Saturn V
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC39A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 147 km
Apogee: 451,211 km
Inclination: 32.51°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: April 17, 1972
Last known active: Apr 24, 1972
End of operations: Apr 24, 1972

Size

Mass: 4,781 kg
Dry mass: 2,135 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: D00442
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: April 19, 1972
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · April 19, 1972
Destination: Luna

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Apr 17, 1972	Earth	Apr 19, 1972	Escaped to another body	Luna
Apr 19, 1972	Luna	Apr 21, 1972	Landed	Luna
Apr 21, 1972	Luna	Apr 24, 1972	Lifted off from another world	D01068

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Luna	Ascent vehicle	Landed and operated	Apr 21, 1972	—	-8.97, 15.50

Launched together

Apollo 16 Command and Service ModuleHuman spaceflight · MSC Apollo 16 SubsatelliteSpace science · MSC

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q28101408 (CC0).