The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon

The backup crew (standing) of McDivitt (center), Scott (left) and Schweickart were replaced by Schirra, Eisele and Cunningham in December 1966.ĪS-204 was to be the first crewed test flight of the Apollo command and service module (CSM) to Earth orbit, launched on a Saturn IB rocket. Official portrait of prime and backup crews for AS-204, as of April 1, 1966. Second backup crew (December 1966 – January 1967) Position The first successful crewed Apollo mission was flown by Apollo 1's backup crew on Apollo 7 in October 1968.įirst backup crew (April–December 1966) Position The Saturn IB launch vehicle for Apollo 1, SA-204, was used for the first LM test flight, Apollo 5. However, the development and uncrewed testing of the lunar module (LM) and Saturn V rocket continued. Despite congressional displeasure at NASA's lack of openness, both congressional committees ruled that the issues raised in the report had no bearing on the accident.Ĭrewed Apollo flights were suspended for twenty months while the command module's hazards were addressed. Webb, who was unaware of the document's existence, and attracted controversy to the Apollo program. This disclosure embarrassed NASA Administrator James E.

Because the rocket was unfueled, the test had not been considered hazardous, and emergency preparedness for it was poor.ĭuring the Congressional investigation, Senator Walter Mondale publicly revealed a NASA internal document citing problems with prime Apollo contractor North American Aviation, which became known as the Phillips Report. Rescue was prevented by the plug door hatch, which could not be opened against the internal pressure of the cabin. The ignition source of the fire was determined to be electrical, and the fire spread rapidly due to combustible nylon material and the high-pressure pure oxygen cabin atmosphere. Immediately after the fire, NASA convened an Accident Review Board to determine the cause of the fire, and both chambers of the United States Congress conducted their own committee inquiries to oversee NASA's investigation. The name Apollo 1, chosen by the crew, was made official by NASA in their honor after the fire. Chaffee-and destroyed the command module (CM). The mission never flew a cabin fire during a launch rehearsal test at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station Launch Complex 34 on January 27 killed all three crew members-Command Pilot Gus Grissom, Senior Pilot Ed White, and Pilot Roger B.

It was planned to launch on February 21, 1967, as the first low Earth orbital test of the Apollo command and service module. Apollo 1, initially designated AS-204, was the first crewed mission of the Apollo program, the American undertaking to land the first man on the Moon.

The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon