Remembering Apollo 7

Forty years ago this month, NASA sent the first manned Apollo mission into orbit.

To the public, this probably didn’t seem very exciting. Although Apollo was America’s moonship, this mission would stay in earth orbit. There would be no space walks, no rendezvous with other manned spacecraft, and no docking.

But even if the public didn’t notice, this was an extremely difficult and important flight.

Dangerous Test Flight

This flight followed the tragic Apollo 1 fire, which killed the crew of Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee during a ground test. Schirra had been backup commander for that mission.

It was a true “test flight”—the first manned flight using the new Apollo hardware. Newly designed engines were fired in orbit. Maneuvering was tested. The spacecraft had to work and had to be properly controlled if America was going to the moon.

101% Success

Despite a crew that was sick with head colds (a much more serious matter in weightless space than on earth), and had disputes with ground controllers, the mission achieved all its planned objectives—and more. It was declared a “100% success.”

Recognition

A few days back, the crew of Apollo 7 was presented with NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal in Dallas at the Frontiers of Flight Museum—where the Apollo 7 command module is on display.

The only surviving crew member, Walt Cunningham, was there. The flight’s commander, Wally Schirra, died in May of last year. Crew member Donn Eisle died more than 20 years ago. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin made the presentation. Also in attendance were several other former Apollo astronauts, including Neil Armstrong.