Apollo 11: Lunar Liftoff Mystery Cache

Archery hunting is allowed in this park from September 15 to January 15. Take appropriate precautions.

Apollo 11: Lunar liftoff ignition, 21 July 1969 12:54 PM CDT

This is the tenth of eleven geocaches being placed in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. These caches are being scheduled to publish at 50 years after the event each one represents. The city where they are placed has the distinction of sharing its name with the Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia.

Following a rather fitful sleep (who could sleep on the moon), Armstrong and Aldrin are roused by Houston at 10:15 AM CDT to begin preparations for lunar liftoff. Added to the process is a brief radar track on the Columbia as it passes over in orbit. This will firm up the data as to exactly where the Eagle has landed, providing corrections to the calculated rendezvous trajectory. A little over 2 and a half hours are spent preparing for liftoff.

Finally, at 12:54 PM CDT the ascent stage engine is ignited, separating the upper stage of the lunar module from the lower descent stage. Eagle is on its way back to rendezvous with Columbia in orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin enjoy a great view of the lunar surface at close range as they ascend. They are watching landmarks, various craters and ridges, to ensure their trajectory looks right.

The first burn of the engine achieves orbital insertion. Once in orbit around the moon, 3 additional engine burns are required to achieve rendezvous with Columbia. At 4:35 PM CDT Columbia and Eagle are docked.

The collected lunar samples and a few equipment items are transferred from Eagle to Columbia for return to earth. A lot of effort is required to remove as much lunar dust from everything as possible. First Armstrong and then Aldrin return to the command module during this time and the hatch between the two craft is sealed.

At 6:41 PM CDT the lunar module, Eagle, is jettisoned and will eventually crash into the surface of the moon weeks later. The crew takes some time to eat and visit, a little rest before leaving orbit. Then its back to work to prepare for the return to earth.

At 11:55 PM CDT Columbia’s engines fire for transearth injection, setting the craft on a trajectory back home. The trip will take about 2 and a half days.

The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. At the posted coordinates you will find the information you need to find the final cache location. You play a round of disc golf; very erratic round having periods of dismal struggle puctuated with moments of brilliance. You score as follows:

1. Quadruple bogey
2. Eagle
3. Bogey
4. No score, fourth hole closed for repair
5. Triple bogey
6. Bogey
7. Ace!
8. Triple bogey
9. Double bogey
10. Eagle
11. Quadruple bogey
12. Sextuple bogey
13. Double bogey
14. Triple bogey
15. Quadruple bogey
16. Par 
17. Birdie
18. Eagle

This geocache has been placed in accordance with the published guidelines of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department, Lida M. Gochenour, Administrative Supervisor.