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Apollo 8 made a significant contribution to space exploration history by being the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth's gravitational influence and orbit the Moon. Here are some key aspects of its impact:

1. Pioneering Lunar Orbit: Apollo 8 was the first mission to take humans beyond low Earth orbit and orbit the Moon, paving the way for future lunar landings, including Apollo 11 (Space.com).

2. First Views of the Far Side of the Moon: The mission allowed astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders to become the first humans to see and photograph the far side of the Moon (Wikipedia).

3. Testing Mission for Apollo Systems: The mission successfully tested the Apollo system, including the command and service module, in preparation for later missions where astronauts would land on the Moon (NASA Science).

4. Saturn V Rocket: Apollo 8 marked the first crewed launch of the Saturn V rocket, a crucial technology for reaching the Moon (NASA).

5. Cultural Impact: The mission famously broadcast pictures of the Earth from space on Christmas Eve 1968, giving humans a new perspective on their home planet and inspiring the environmental movement.

Apollo 8's success was a critical step toward the eventual Moon landing and set a precedent for human space exploration.