(2 of 2)
Thus, in a single test, NASA was able to prove that both LM engines work well, that the descent engine can be throttled in space—the first big operational engine to do so—and that the Apollo mission could be safely aborted, if necessary, during the final descent to the lunar surface. The near-perfect results may enable NASA to cancel plans for a second unmanned LM flight and to move directly into a manned orbital flight—to check out LM's life-support systems—late in 1968. Looking further ahead, LM's success has also raised hopes that the U.S. may yet land men on the moon before 1970.