Special Sub-Topic: Apollo 1 Click Here To Play: Apollo 1

What was the scheduled launch date of Apollo 1?

February 21, 1967. The first manned Apollo mission was scheduled for launch on February 21, 1967, from Cape Kennedy Launch Complex 34. All three crewmen perished in the launchpad fire during the plugs-out test on January 27, 1967.

On which pad did the Apollo 1 fire occur?

Pad 34. Launch Complex 34 and 37 were built for the Saturn I and Saturn IB launches. Four Saturn I and three Saturn IB vehicles were launched from Complex 34 between October 1961 and October 1968. Complex 34 and 37 were deactivated in 1971. Complex 34 was declared a national historic landmark in April 1984.

What was the designation of the mission at the time of the fire?

AS-204. In spring 1967, Dr. George Mueller, Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, announced that the mission originally scheduled for Grissom, White and Chaffee, would be known as Apollo 1.

All three crew members of Apollo 1, Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee, were in the Air Force.

f. Gus Grissom and Ed White were in the Air Force, and Roger Chaffee was in the Navy.

Who was CAPCOM in the blockhouse at the Cape at the time the fire occurred?

Stuart Roosa. Stuart Roosa later flew as the Command Module Pilot on Apollo 14.

Environmental system problems had caused the hold in the test at the time of the fire.

f. Although environmental system problems had been encountered earlier in the test, at the time of the fire the hold was due to communications problems.

On what level of the service structure was the White Room located?

A-8. The White Room was located across the swing arm from the umbilical tower at adjustable level 8. Secondary fires on A-8 and A-7 broke out after the pressure vessel ruptured and hindered rescue efforts.

What was the designation of the command module of Apollo 1?

CSM-012. Construction of CSM-012 was begun at North American Aviation in California in August 1964, with delivery to Kennedy Space Center in August 1966.

Who was the pad leader at the time of the Apollo 1 accident?

Donald Babbitt. Babbitt, Gleaves and Hawkins worked for North American and Henry Rogers was a NASA quality control inspector. The initial reaction of the pad personnel on level 8 was to evacuate, as they feared the fire would cause the launch escape tower above the command module to ignite. They returned to attempt rescue of the crew at great personal risk.

Which Apollo mission was Apollo 1's Saturn 1B used for?

Apollo 5. Apollo 5 was an unmanned test of the Lunar Module.