Apollo 9 was launched from Kennedy Space Center atop a Saturn V rocket and aimed to test the performance and capabilities of the Lunar Module (LM) in Earth orbit, ensuring it was ready for future Moon landings. This mission was headed by James A McDivitt (commander), David R Scott (command module pilot), and Russell L Scheweickart (lunar module pilot). The crew evaluated the spacecraft's systems, including navigation, propulsion, communication, and life support, to ensure they functioned properly in space. After completing their mission objectives, Apollo 9 successfully re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. The crew was recovered by the USS Guadalcanal.