On 22 May 1969, Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan, in the Apollo 10 Lunar Module (Snoopy) separated from the Command Module (Charlie Brown), and flew Snoopy to within 9 miles of the lunar surface. Alternating between PNGS (Primary Navigation and Guidance System, the system used for guidance during descent) and AGS (Abort Guidance System, the system used during ascent and during aborts), someone left a switch in the wrong position; when Stafford cut the descent stage loose in preparation for rejoining Young, the LM went into “wild gyrations”. Eight terrifying seconds and a shout of “Son of a bitch! Hit the AGS!” (which made it to national television) later, Stafford and Cernan regained control of the ascent stage and lit up the ascent engine to rejoin Young, having nearly become the first humans to reach the lunar surface, face first.

The Sea of Tranquility, near Landing Site 2

A view across Landing Site 3, in the Central Bay

Snoopy’s ascent stage, seen from Charlie Brown

(N.B.: The “Charlie” Cernan is refering to in the title quote is CAPCOM Charlie Duke, who would later fly Apollo 16.)