Command Modules Collection

The Gemini 7 spacecraft in Earth orbit
December 15, 1965 - This photograph of the Gemini-7 spacecraft was taken through the hatch window of the Gemini-6 spacecraft during rendezvous

The Apollo Spacecraft command module is recovered aboard USS Bennington
November 9, 1967 - The Apollo Spacecraft 017 Command Module, with flotation collar still attached, is hoisted aboard USS Bennington

The Apollo 8 capsule being hoisted aboard the recovery carrier
December 27, 1968 - The Apollo 8 capsule is seen being hoisted aboard the recovery carrier, USS Yorktown after its successful splashdown

Phobos mission rocket releases spent propellant stage
Once the Phobos mission rocket acquires enough velocity to place it into a Mars-intercepting orbit it releases the empty propellant stage

The Apollo 10 Command and Service Modules in lunar orbit
May 22, 1969 - The Apollo 10 Command and Service Modules (CSM) are photographed from the Lunar Module (LM) after CSM/LM separation in lunar orbit

A manned orbital maintenance platform docked with a manned reusable crew capsule
A manned orbital maintenance platform (OMP) docked with a manned reusable crew capsule (RCC) in low Earth orbit ignites an auxiliary liquid-propellant rocket booster in order to lift it to a far

A Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft in low Earth orbit
A three-person manned Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft passes over the Black Sea at an orbital altitude of 200 miles

A manned Asteroid Lander approaches the desolate surface of an asteroid in preparation for landing. Thrusts from reaction control units illuminates the dark side of the lander with a ghostly blue

Artists concept of an Orion-drive battleship; Soviet style

A command module approaches an awaiting rocket in Earth orbit
An Orion class command module with a crew of three approaches an awaiting rocket in already in Earth orbit destined for Mars moon Phobos

The Gemini 7 spacecraft
December 15, 1965 - The Gemini 7 spacecraft as it was observed from the hatch window of the Gemini 6 spacecraft during rendezvous manuevers

A Phobos mission rocket ignites its chemical thrusters to propel it away from the Earth into a large solar orbit that will intercept Mars in approximately 7 months

A manned Asteroid Lander prepares to land on the surface of an asteroid
A manned Asteroid Lander just moments before settling to the surface of an asteroid. The surface gravity is so low that the lander easily maneuvers by using just the reaction control thrusters

Orion-drive spacecraft in lunar orbit

The Gemini-3 spacecraft is hoisted aboard the USS Intrepid during recovery
March 23, 1965 - The Gemini-3 spacecraft, with flotation collar still attached, is shown being hoisted aboard the USS Intrepid during recovery operations following the successful Gemini-Titan 3 flight

Explorers in space suits exit an Asteroid Lander
A pair of explorers in space suits exit an Asteroid Lander in preparation for exploring the asteroids surface. The surface gravity is so low that in terms of moving about the experience is more akin

Orion-drive spacecraft leaving Earth orbit

Artists concept of an orbital outpost above Phobos, the nearest of Mars moons
Phobos, the nearest of the Martian moons, may make a convenient transit station for travellers on their way to the surface of Mars

The Apollo 16 Command Module approaching touchdown in the central Pacific Ocean
April 27, 1972 - The Apollo 16 Command Module approaching touchdown in the central Pacific Ocean to conclude their lunar landing mission

Orion module orbiting an asteroid

A manned Asteroid Lander descends toward the surface of an ancient asteroid
A manned Asteroid Lander descends toward the rugged and cratered surface of an ancient asteroid. Orbiting the asteroid on the upper left is a Deep Space Vehicle (DSV) and Extended Stay Module (ESM)

A reusable lunar shuttle prepares to dock with a lunar cycler
A reusable lunar shuttle, recently launched from the moon, prepares to dock with a lunar cycler. The lunar shuttle has a capacity for six crew and passengers

Close-up view of the Apollo 9 Command Module after recovery
March 13, 1969 - Close-up view of the Apollo 9 Command Module (CM) as it sets on dolly on the deck of the USS Guadalcanal just after being hoisted from the water

Asteroid Lander departs from Deep Space Vehicle
A manned Asteroid Lander departs from a combination Deep Space Vehicle (DSV) and Extended Stay Module (ESM) as a first step toward exploring the large asteroid below

Orion module in orbit above Earth

A command module begins a close approach to Phobos
The command module, now free of the larger Phobos mission rocket, begins a close approach to Phobos. With an average diameter of less than 12 miles

Artists concept for an Orion-drive battleship; American style

Orion-drive spacecraft in standard configuration for space flight
Orion-drive spacecraft with solid-fuel rocket boosters to escape the atmosphere

An orbital maintenance platform fires it liquid-propellant rocket thrusters
An orbital maintenance platform (OMP) docked with a manned reusable crew capsule (RCC) in low Earth orbit fires its ten liquid-propellant rocket thrusters in order to lift it to a far higher Earth

An Orion class Crew Exploration Vehicle paired with a Soyuz TMA spacecraft
An Orion class Crew Exploration Vehicle (aka Deep Space Vehicle) is paired with a Soyuz TMA-M manned spacecraft for a joint deep space rendezvous with a satellite parked in a gravitationally stable

A view of Earth taken from the Apollo 10 spacecraft
May 18, 1969 - A view of Earth from 36, 000 nautical miles away as photographed from the Apollo 10 spacecraft during its trans-lunar journey toward the moon

View of the Apollo 17 Command and Service Modules in lunar orbit
December 14, 1972 - View of the Apollo 17 Command and Service Modules (CSM) photographed from the Lunar Module (LM) Challenger during rendezvous and docking maneuvers in lunar orbit

A command module prepares to dock with a Phobos mission rocket in Earth orbit
An Orion class command module, upper right, prepares to dock with a Phobos mission rocket in Earth orbit. Below at a distance of approximately 200 miles is the eastern Sahara desert

A reusable crew capsule prepares to dock with an orbital maintenance platform
A manned reusable crew capsule (RCC) prepares to dock with an orbital maintenance platform (OMP) in low Earth orbit

A manned Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft docked with an extended stay module
A manned Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft docked with a three-person extended stay module soars over the Moon with the aid of a Russian-made upper stage booster rocket

A manned reusable crew capsule docks with an orbital maintenance platform
A manned reusable crew capsule (RCC) docks with an orbital maintenance platform (OMP) in low Earth orbit. Once docked this mobile spacecraft system will have a total length of 70 feet

Soyuz deep space explorer docked begins to leave Earth orbit
A manned Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft docked with a three-person extended stay module begins to leave Earth orbit with the aid of a Russian-made upper stage booster rocket

The Phobos mission rocket prepares for approach to the martian moon
With the Phobos mission rocket in a stable orbit near Phobos (upper right), the command module departs so that it may approach to within a few hundred yards of the martian moon

Orion-drive spacecraft approaching Mars, with habitat modules extended for centripetal gravity

A manned Asteroid Lander on the surface of an asteroid
This manned Asteroid Lander includes a hatch permitting explorers (in space suits) to exit the lander and explore the asteroids airless, lunar-like surface

Artists concept of the Aries 1B spacecraft approaching the Moon
Artists concept of the Aries 1B spacecraft from the novel, 2001: A Space Odyssey, approaching the Moon

The Apollo 9 Command Module is hoisted aboard the recovery ship
March 13, 1969 - The Apollo 9 Command Module (CM), with flotation collar still attached, is hoisted aboard the prime recovery ship, USS Guadalcanal, during recovery operations

A pilot looks up at his ride to the stars

Recovery of the Orion crew module
Pacific Ocean, August 3, 2014 - Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and Navy divers participate in the second underway recovery test for the NASA Orion Program

An astronaut is rescued by a U. S. Marine helicopter
May 5, 1961 - An astronaut is rescued by a U.S. Marine helicopter at the termination of his suborbital flight down range from the Florida eastern coast

An Asteroid Lander is docked to a Deep Space Vehicle
A manned Asteroid Lander is docked to a combination Deep Space Vehicle (DSV) and Extended Stay Module (ESM) on a mission to a deep space asteroid

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft in orbit above Earth

Asteroid Lander departs surface of a large asteroid
The ascent stage of a manned Asteroid Lander departs the surface of a large asteroid leaving behind the descent stage in a cloud of fine regolith dust

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"Exploring the Cosmos: Captivating Command Modules in Space" The Gemini 7 spacecraft gracefully orbits Earth, showcasing the ingenuity of command modules. A triumphant moment as the Apollo Spacecraft command module is recovered aboard USS Bennington, marking a successful mission. Witnessing history unfold, the Apollo 8 capsule is hoisted aboard the recovery carrier after its remarkable journey through space. The Phobos mission rocket releases its spent propellant stage, paving the way for further exploration beyond our planet's boundaries. In awe-inspiring lunar orbit, behold the Apollo 10 Command and Service Modules embarking on their celestial voyage. Docked together in harmony, a manned orbital maintenance platform and reusable crew capsule demonstrate mankind's quest for sustainable space travel. Against a backdrop of endless possibilities, a Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft gracefully glides through low Earth orbit with human explorers onboard. Suspense builds as a manned Asteroid Lander approaches an asteroid's desolate surface – humanity reaching out to touch distant worlds. With every detail visible up close, marvel at the Deep Space Vehicle and Extended Stay Module starboard bow view – technological wonders ready to conquer new frontiers. Immerse yourself in an artist's concept of an Orion-drive battleship; Soviet style – envisioning grand visions of interstellar warfare propelled by advanced technology. A command module elegantly approaches an awaiting rocket in Earth orbit - symbolizing mankind's relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond our home planet.