# Apollo 16 Command and Service Module

> Command and Service Module used during Apollo 16

**Wikidata**: [Q28101407](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28101407)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apollo-16-command-and-service-module

## Summary
The Apollo 16 Command and Service Module (CSM-113) was the spacecraft component used during NASA's Apollo 16 mission in 1972, which landed astronauts on the Moon. It served as the crew's home and control center during the mission, supporting lunar operations and the return to Earth.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Apollo Command and Service Module
- **Part of**: Apollo 16 mission
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Launch date**: April 16, 1972, at 17:54 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: Saturn V (SA-511)
- **Launch site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-031A
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1972-031A
- **Aliases**: CSM-113, CM-113, Casper

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module used for?
A: The CSM-113 served as the crew's home and control center during the Apollo 16 mission, supporting lunar operations and the return journey to Earth.

### Q: When was the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module launched?
A: It was launched on April 16, 1972, at 17:54 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module?
A: The module was launched aboard the Saturn V rocket, specifically SA-511.

### Q: Who operated the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module?
A: The module was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: What are the aliases for the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module?
A: It is also known as CSM-113, CM-113, and Casper.

## Why It Matters
The Apollo 16 Command and Service Module was a critical component of NASA's Apollo program, enabling the successful lunar landing of astronauts John Young and Charles Duke, along with lunar module pilot Ken Mattingly. The CSM-113 provided life support, navigation, and communication during the mission, which included extensive geological exploration on the Moon's Descartes Highlands. The mission's success contributed to NASA's broader goals of advancing human spaceflight and lunar exploration. The spacecraft's design and performance were essential to the mission's objectives, demonstrating the capabilities of the Apollo program and paving the way for future space exploration endeavors.

## Notable For
- **First use of the Saturn V rocket for a lunar landing mission**
- **Supported the first use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) on the Moon**
- **Enabled the collection of significant lunar samples and scientific data**
- **Demonstrated advanced spacecraft technology for deep-space missions**
- **Facilitated the safe return of astronauts to Earth after a lunar landing**

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Apollo 16 Command and Service Module (CSM-113) was launched on April 16, 1972, aboard the Saturn V rocket (SA-511) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The mission, commanded by John Young, featured the first use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) on the Moon, allowing astronauts to explore a larger area than previously possible.

### Design and Specifications
The CSM-113 was part of the Apollo Command and Service Module class, designed to support crewed lunar missions. It included the Command Module (CM-113) and the Service Module, which provided propulsion, power, and life support systems. The spacecraft was identified by the COSPAR ID 1972-031A and the NSSDCA ID 1972-031A.

### Mission Achievements
During the Apollo 16 mission, the CSM-113 supported the deployment of the Lunar Module (LM-11) and served as the crew's home and control center. The mission included extensive geological exploration, including the collection of over 95 kilograms of lunar samples. The spacecraft's performance was crucial to the mission's success, including the safe return of the crew to Earth.

### Historical Significance
The Apollo 16 mission marked another milestone in NASA's Apollo program, demonstrating the capabilities of the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo spacecraft. The use of the LRV expanded the scope of lunar exploration, and the mission's scientific findings contributed to our understanding of the Moon's geology and history. The CSM-113's role in this mission underscores its importance in advancing human spaceflight and lunar exploration.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report