Apollo 1
Apollo 1: Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support
Apollo 1 was the planned first crewed Apollo command-and-service-module mission. During a plugs-out launch rehearsal on January 27, 1967, a cabin fire killed Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee inside command module 012. The investigation led NASA and its contractors to redesign the hatch, cabin atmosphere, wiring, plumbing, materials, emergency provisions, quality control, and ground-test procedures before crewed Apollo flight resumed.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- Planned for February 21, 1967; never launched after the January 27, 1967 ground-test fire[3]
Mission record
- Vehicle
- Apollo command module 012[3]
- Mission type
- Crewed Earth-orbit test, lost during ground test[3]
- Test site
- Cape Kennedy, Launch Complex 34[3]
- Launch vehicle
- Saturn IB[3]
- Program
- Apollo[1]
- Crew complement
- 3[3]
- Outcome
- Tragedy[3]
- Archive classification
- Human spaceflight[1]
- Primary objective
- Apollo ground-test fire[3]
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
3 assignments
Backup crew
Trained for the mission but did not count as flown unless reassigned to the prime crew.
Walter M. Schirra Jr.Backup Command PilotSecond backup crew, December 1966–January 1967.Open astronaut archive
Donn F. EiseleBackup Senior PilotSecond backup crew, December 1966–January 1967.Open astronaut archive
Walter CunninghamBackup PilotSecond backup crew, December 1966–January 1967.Open astronaut archive
James A. McDivittBackup Command PilotFirst backup crew, April–December 1966.Open astronaut archive
David R. ScottBackup Senior PilotFirst backup crew, 1966.Open astronaut archive
Russell L. SchweickartBackup PilotFirst backup crew, April–December 1966.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
3 sources- Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support.
- Prepare the first crewed Block I command-and-service-module mission for Earth-orbit operations.
- Determine the ignition path, fire propagation, cabin hazards, and escape limitations that caused the fatal accident.
- Implement spacecraft, materials, atmosphere, hatch, wiring, quality-control, and test-procedure changes before returning Apollo crews to flight.
Planned Flight Plan
3 sources- Planned for February 21, 1967; never launched after the January 27, 1967 ground-test fire
Apollo 1 begins
Apollo command module 012 was assigned to Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support.
- Primary phase
Prepare the first crewed Block I command-and-service-module mission for Earth-orbit operations
Spacecraft: Apollo command and 012; Crew: Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee; Test: Plugs-out integrated launch rehearsal at Launch Complex 34
- Mission objective
Determine the ignition path, fire propagation, cabin hazards, and escape limitations that caused the fatal accident
Apollo 1 operated within Apollo to pursue the program objective.
- Tragedy
Apollo 1 outcome
Apollo 1 concluded with the recorded status Tragedy: Apollo 1: Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support.
Mission Timeline
3 sources- Planned for February 21, 1967; never launched after the January 27, 1967 ground-test fire
Apollo 1 begins
Apollo command module 012 began Apollo 1 to Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support.
- Operations
Prepare the first crewed Block I command-and-service-module mission for Earth-orbit operations
Spacecraft: Apollo command and 012; Crew: Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee; Test: Plugs-out integrated launch rehearsal at Launch Complex 34
- Defining result
Apollo 1: Complete an integrated plugs-out test of command module 012, its crew, pad systems, and ground support
Apollo 1 was the planned first crewed Apollo command-and-service-module mission.
- Tragedy
Apollo 1: Tragedy
Implement spacecraft, materials, atmosphere, hatch, wiring, quality-control, and test-procedure changes before returning Apollo crews to flight.