NASA Apollo 1 (Failure before launch) Saturn IB
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Ed White
| Birthday | 11/14/1930 |
|---|---|
| Role | Senior Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 06/03/1965 |
| Last Flight | 01/27/1967 |
Edward Higgins White II was an American aeronautical engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. On June 3, 1965, he became the...
Gus Grissom
| Birthday | 04/03/1926 |
|---|---|
| Role | Command Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 07/21/1961 |
| Last Flight | 01/27/1967 |
Lieutenant Colonel Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom was one of the seven original National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Project Mercury astronauts, and the first of the...
Roger B. Chaffee
| Birthday | 02/15/1935 |
|---|---|
| Role | Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 01/27/1967 |
| Last Flight | 01/27/1967 |
Roger Bruce Chaffee was an American naval officer, aviator, and aeronautical engineer who was a NASA astronaut in the Apollo program. Along with thirteen other...
About the Apollo 1 Mission
| Type | Human Exploration |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
Apollo 1, initially designated AS-204, was the first crewed mission of the United States Apollo program, the undertaking to land the first man on the Moon. It was planned to launch on February 21, 1967, as the first low Earth orbital test of the Apollo command and service module. 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. Chaffee—and destroyed the command module (CM). The name Apollo 1, chosen by the crew, was made official by NASA in their honor after the fire.
Crew and spacecraft lost due to a cabin fire that occurred during a launch rehearsal at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station Launch Complex 34 on January 27, 1967.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 34
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
| Launches | 9 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 3 |
| Total Launches | 1130 |
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
NASA Saturn IB Rocket
The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready.
| Length | 43.2 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.6 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 590.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 7,100.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 21,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
Mission Spacecraft
Apollo CSM-012
Apollo CSM-012 (CSM-012) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a North American Aviation Capsule designed for Cargo and Human Transportation to Lunar Orbit and traveled to Low Earth Orbit.
CSM-012 was an Apollo Command & Service Module that was planned to be used in the Apollo 1 mission. It was destroyed by a fatal cabin fire during a launch rehearsal on January 27, 1967. The Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) was one of two principal components of the United States Apollo spacecraft, used for the Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. The CSM functioned as a mother ship which carried a crew of three astronauts and the second Apollo spacecraft, the Lunar Module, to lunar orbit, and brought the astronauts back to Earth. It consisted of two parts: the conical Command Module, a cabin that housed the crew and carried equipment needed for atmospheric reentry and splashdown; and the cylindrical Service Module which provided propulsion, electrical power and storage for various consumables required during a mission. An umbilical connection transferred power and consumables between the two modules. Just before reentry of the Command Module on the return home, the umbilical connection was severed and the Service Module was cast off and allowed to burn up in the atmosphere. 14 days
| Type | Capsule |
|---|---|
| Agency | North American Aviation |
| Serial Number | CSM-012 |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
| Mission End | 1/27/1967 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Crew Capacity | 3 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 11.0 m |
| Diameter | 3.9 m |
| Payload Capacity | 1,050 kg |
About NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
| Total Launches | 142 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 122 |
| Failed | 20 |
| Pending | 5 |
| Consecutive Success | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 launch scheduled?
The NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 launch was scheduled for:
.
Where did the NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 mission launch from?
The NASA Saturn IB rocket launched from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
What rocket was used for the Apollo 1 mission?
The Apollo 1 mission launched aboard a NASA Saturn IB rocket. The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 launch?
The NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the NASA Saturn IB Apollo 1 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Saturn IB launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Apollo 1 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official NASA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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