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At the time that the Apollo missions began Dr. Abe Silversein was the Director of Space Flight Programs. He had chosen the name Apollo because of a book on mythology and had decided that "Apollo riding his chariot across the sun was appropriate to the grand scale of the proposed program."

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The Apollo program's name had nothing to do with the eventual missions to the moon. The Apollo program was later reallocated to that mission after Kennedy's statement that he would put a man on the moon. (Previously, it was simply to get people into space.) Abe Silverstein, the NASA director who named it said that "I was naming the spacecraft like I'd name my baby." He chose the name at home one evening, early in 1960, because he felt "Apollo riding his chariot across the Sun was appropriate to the grand scale of the proposed program."

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Q: Why did NASA name the spacecraft series that go to the moon Apollo when Apollo is the name of a Greek god associated with the Sun?
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Related questions

Was the Apollo cinemas named after the spacecraft Apollo 8?

No. Both the Apollo cinemas and the Apollo space craft were named after the Greek God Apollo.


What did greek god Apollo control?

Apollo was the Greek god of the sun and music he is also loosely associated with homosexuality


In Greek mythology with what was the god Apollo associated?

Apollo is most well known for being associated with the light of the sun, music, and prophesy. The Sun.


What is the Greek city associated with Greek myths?

Apollo with Delphi and Delos, Zeus with Olympia and Aphrodite with Corinth while Athena was associated with Athens.


Who was the god of sun music and poetry Greek mythology?

Apollo was the Greek god of sun, music, and poetry. He was also associated with healing, prophecy, and archery. Apollo was considered one of the most important Olympian gods in Greek mythology.


What does Apollo stand for?

Apollo is not an acronym. The Apollo program was named after the Greek god of light and music by NASA manager Abe Silverstein, who later said that "I was naming the spacecraft like I'd name my baby."


What is associated with the greek goddess Apollo?

Apollo is male, thus, a god - not a goddess. Apollo is associated with light, prophecy and oracles, healing, plague and disease, music, song and poetry, archery, and the protection of the young.


What gods or goddess relate to Apollo?

Apollo is associated with the Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery.


What other culture is Apollo in?

Apollo is also a significant figure in Greek mythology. He is the Greek god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. He is often depicted as a youthful and handsome god, associated with sunlight and enlightenment.


Why were spaceships called Apollo's?

Only lunar (moon) mission spacecraft were called Apollos. The first manned space flight program was named Mercury, the second was named Gemini. These were test/learning programs leading to the third named Apollo. These early U.S. programs were named after Greek and Roman Gods. Apollo was a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy and other talents. The spacecraft that were made as part of the Apollo program are called Apollo spacecraft and the flights called Apollo missions. Apollo 11 was the first Apollo mission to put men on the moon.


How did the Greek God Apollo get his symbol?

The many symbols of Apollo are associated with him because of the myths and newer symbols because of modern interpretation.


Is Artemis the goddess of the sun?

No. She was the Greek goddess of the hunt, childbirths, maidens, and wildlife. She was also associated with the moon. Her twin brother Apollo is the Greek god associated with the sun.