Apollo 8 TWXs

Here is a collection of Manned Space Flight Network mission briefing TWXs (teletype messages) during Apollo 8.

These were sent to MSFN stations and other NASA centres.

Special thanks to Brian Riehle, who was at the Guam MSFN station for scanning his collection.

Times are Zulu (i.e. GMT).

In most cases I have enhanced the contrast to make the small preview images more readable.

0227Z 20 December 1968.

“The Pad Countdown is proceeding smoothly. The S/C count is on time and the launch vehicle is approximately 2 hrs ahead of schedule – but rest assured the L/V and S/C will lift off together.”

1418Z 21 December 1968.

“Mission is completely normal at this time. No problems encountered.”

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0850Z 22 December 1968.

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1034Z 24 December 1968.

Apollo 8 is in Lunar Orbit!

0637Z 25 December 1968.

Trans Earth Injection as scheduled. Honeysuckle has acquisition. Apollo 8 is coming home!

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This TWX was sent from HMSC (Houston Manned Spacecraft Center) to the Network on Christmas Day at 0845GMT.

Re some of the addresses at the top, John Saxon offers – DSCC (All supporting Apollo facilities), DSSW (all NASCOM switching centres), GCEN (Goddard operations), HMOC (Houston Operations – Flight controllers?), HNET (Houston Network – IST), etc.

This scan courtesy Bruce Withey.

0359Z 26 December 1968.

Small mid-course correction. TV show on the way home.

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1120Z 27 December 1968.

“This is not a Mission Briefing message since there has been no noteworthy change in status since the last report. Just thought you might be interested in some entry / recovery data.”

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1511Z 27 December 1968.

30 minutes from Entry Interface. VHF loud and clear (tested through Carnarvon).

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1522Z 27 December 1968.

CM/SM separation.

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1553Z 27 December 1968.

Splashdown 5,100 yards from The Yorktown.

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1554Z 27 December 1968.

From the Network Controllers –

“Many thanks for your fine support and countless hours of effort to make this historical event so successful.”

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1601Z 27 December 1968.

“Our congratulations to all on a fine job. We are proud to be part of this great team.”

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1602Z 27 December 1968.

Spacecraft went to Stable 2, Crew OK.

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1618Z 27 December 1968.

From the Network Controller in the MOCR – all stations released from support.

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More Messages of Appreciation

1739Z 27 December 1968.

From MSFN Operations Staff at Goddard: A toast to the fine professional people of the MSFN.

2150Z 27 December 1968.

From Dr John F. Clark, Director of the Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Apollo 8 is the mission towards which GSFC and MSC have been working for almost a decade. It is both the most difficult and the most important mission to date which the MSFN has been asked to support. On behalf of GSFC and NASA, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your outstanding performance during the entire mission. I am proud of each of you. Well done!”

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2200Z 27 December 1968.

From Ozro Covington at Goddard Space Flight Center.

“It is very difficult for me to find the words to express my deep appreciation and heartfelt pride in the task you have just completed. Your dedication from the planning stage, through practice to execution, has resulted in a superlative performance during the historic mission. Everyone of you should stand taller for your part in it.

I especially want to express my gratitude to your familes for accepting your commitment to this mission at the expense of family holiday activities. There may be more difficult missions ahead, and perhaps more important ones in our time, but I am proud to share with you a part in reaching the man-ancient goal, the Moon.

Sgd O. N. Covington, Asst. Director Manned Flight Support.”

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(Ozro Covington was present at the post-Apollo 8 celebration at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra on Saturday 8th February 1969.)

Thanks to Brian Riehle for these scans.