Command Module, Apollo 6

The unmanned Apollo 6 Command Module (CM 020) was launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 4, 1968 and recovered in the Pacific Ocean 10 hours later. The mission was the second test flight for the giant Saturn V launch vehicle and the last unmanned flight of Project Apollo. A boilerplate lunar module (LTA-2R) was aboard to provide information on launch characteristics without having to use an actual Lunar Module, and the CM was attached to Service Module SM-014. The Apollo 6 spacecraft itself performed well on the mission despite problems with the Saturn V's first, second and third stages. The problems were solved after the flight and the next Saturn V, the Apollo 8 mission, was launched manned. The successful performance of the Command and Service Modules also allowed the next launch to be manned--the Apollo 7 mission launched on a Saturn IB booster.