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After the uncertain days of February 1967, NASA officials began to realize that a recovery from the tragedy was under way. Through hard work and problem solving, morale of Nasa personnel started to improve…
Remains of Launch Complex 34
Memorial benches on the edge of launch pad 34
Memorial plaque attached to launch pad 34
Memorial plaque attached to launch pad 34
Apollo 1 medallion flown on Apollo 9
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What went wrong? Even years after the investigators began to sift through the wreckage of Apollo 1 piece by piece, no one could say exactly. But within weeks the general picture became clear: The fire was a disaster waiting to happen.
Apollo 1 during the investigation
Apollo 1 at Langley Research Center
Seamans, Webb, Mueller, and Apollo Program Director Phillips testify before a Senate hearing on the Apollo accident
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Max Faget thought the first stage of the moon rocket should use four solid-fueled engines, 6.6 meters in diameter. He reasoned these could certainly accomplish whatever mission was required of either the Saturn or Nova, and it would be more cost effective. Faget said it made good sense to use cheap solid fuels for expendable rockets and more expensive liquid fuels for reusable engines. Faget called the individual solid rocket ‘the Tiger.’
Artist Conception of Apollo Direct Accent
Earth Orbit Rendezvous
John Houbolt Explains Lunar Orbit Rendezvous
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“The main trouble with the Mercury capsule was that most system components were in the pilot’s cabin; and often, to pack them in this very confined space, they had to be stacked like a layer cake and components of one system had to be scattered about the craft to use all available space. This arrangement generated a maze of interconnecting wires, tubing, and mechanical linkages. To replace one malfunctioning system, other systems had to be disturbed; and then, after the trouble had been corrected, the systems that had been disturbed as well as the malfunctioning system had to be checked out again.” James Chamberlin
Proposed Lunar Lander
Modified Titan II Booster
Adapter Section of Mark II
Ejection Seats
Fuel Cell
Rendezvous
