Crescent Earth. Computer-enhanced view of the Earth as taken from the Apollo 4 spacecraft, in orbit 17,960 kilometres above the surface. The large amount of cloud cover makes it difficult to identify any surface features on the sunlit side. Apollo 4 was an unmanned test of the Apollo/Saturn V launcher combination. It was launched on 9 November 1967 into a low orbit. The third stage was then used to climb to over 18,000 kilometers before heading back to Earth. The speed at re-entry was similar to that expected for Apollo flights returning from the Moon. This test validated the design of the crew capsule. The splashdown of Apollo 4 was on 9 November 1967.