1967: Three astronauts die in Apollo 1 tragedy [RIP 47 years ago today]

BBC ^ | January 27th, 1967 | Various staff

[virgil]

You may be right, but like I said my memories are vague. I could be mistaken.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

The thinking was that if you are going to make the capsule atmosphere 80% nitrogen like Earth's, then you are adding a lot of weight for something that is completely unnecessary. Except that yeah, it was only a good idea on paper, and nitrogen's inherent ability to prevent fires starting was a pretty damn useful thing.

Another problem with the Apollo 1 fire is that when on Earth, the capsule pressure has to be much, much higher to prevent the capsule from collapsing under the pressure of Earth's atmosphere. So the oxygen concentration was far higher than it would have been in space.

[Ready4Freddy]

Lt Col Grissom (c), of Astronaut Group 1, he was the first US astronaut to fly into space twice. This was to have been his 3rd time to light the candle.

Lt Col White (l), of Astronaut Group 2, he was the first American to perform an EVA, during Gemini 4. This was to have been his 2nd ride.

LCDR Chaffee, (r), of Astronaut Group 3. This was to have been his first ride into space.

Looks like they had Gus sitting on a dictionary or phone book...

[equaviator]

This was the event that as a 9-year old, made me realize how risky space travel was even though they hadn’t been to the moon yet.

[ralph rotten]

I was working with the Apollo 1 personal and guy that was in-charge of the capsule cover the in side of the capsule to protect it from any damage—WITH FOAM RUBBER -AND THEN ADD O2 - VERY STUPID — HE WAS STILL WORKING FOR NASA-—the foam rubber rubber burn temper was very low and any spark would set it off

[Ready4Freddy]

Yes, it was absolutely on a rocket.

This was a full dress rehearsal.

[Nextrush]

The NBC News “Special Report” had photos of the astronauts and talking heads as I remember. My attention span and interest in news programs on television was limited and I didn’t spend much more than 10-15 minutes watching it.

[tanknetter]

The capsule being covered in Velcro, which was highly flammable, played a role as well.

Iirc there was supposed to be an engineer in the capsule with them. Unsuited, in the void storage space behind the seats. He ended up staying outside, but was convinced that he could have snuffed out the spark (possibly with a portable fire extinguisher kept in the cabin) right away and avoided the tragedy.

[MinuteGal]

Thank you for your poignant, heartbreaking but beautiful tribute to our three heroes. God bless their memory forever.

Leni

[BluH2o]

Remember the date well. I was in the Marine Corps on a training exercise in Vieques PR. Heard the news on a transistor radio, informed some of my buddies of the tragic news and also informed the Gunnery sergeant in charge of our section. He had tears in his eyes when he heard the news. Up to that point I didn't have any feelings one way or the other where “Gunny” was concerned ... after his display of emotion my respect for him increased significantly.

[M Kehoe]

Good men. Very sad day.

May they rest in peace.

5.56mm

[onedoug]

From “Yes we can” to can’t.

[montag813]

Life was not kind to Virgil “Gus” Grissom. R.I.P.

[Ready4Freddy]

“From the Earth to the Moon” was excellent, as was Discovery Channel’s “When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions”

[Minutemen]

A very sad event...R.I.P. men.

[mabarker1]

Damn! What a way to die.

At least the Apollo 1 Crew went fast.

[IronJack]

As I recall, another problem was that the hatch to the capsule opened inward, so the increased cabin pressure prevented it from opening. It was another design change learned the hard way.

[oh8eleven]

Remember the date well. I was in the Marine Corps on a training exercise in Vieques PR.
I remember it well too. Was home on leave post ITR, on my way to arty school, then VN.
Later, I got to Viegues via BLT 2/6. "Looooved" Garcia.
Semper Fi ...

[laplata]

Yes, it was absolutely on a rocket.
This was a full dress rehearsal.

---

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[greene66]

Wow, can you imagine how America, the media, the culture, would react if this happened today? The circus, the pundits, the “crisis,” the politicians, the self-doubt, the whole stultifying grinding-to-a-halt inaction?

We’re not the same nation we were. We as a people and a culture are not the same hearty, brave breed anymore.