Apollo 7

Apollo 7 was the first crewed mission in the United States Apollo space program, launched on October 11, 1968, serving as a critical shakedown cruise for the redesigned Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) in low Earth orbit.

Background and Objectives

Following the tragic Apollo 1 cabin fire in January 1967, which claimed the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, NASA suspended crewed spaceflights to thoroughly investigate the accident and redesign the spacecraft. Apollo 7 was the first crewed flight following this hiatus and the first flight of the Block II Apollo CSM.

The primary objective of the mission was to demonstrate the reliability and performance of the redesigned Command and Service Module and its systems over a duration roughly equivalent to a lunar mission. A crucial focus was the testing of the Service Propulsion System (SPS), the engine that would be responsible for placing future Apollo spacecraft into lunar orbit and propelling them back to Earth. Additionally, the mission aimed to evaluate the new life support systems, navigation equipment, and the modified quick-release hatch that had been implemented to prevent a recurrence of the Apollo 1 disaster.

Crew

The Apollo 7 crew consisted of three astronauts:

• Walter M. Schirra Jr. (Commander): A veteran astronaut and the only person to fly in all three of America's initial space programs (Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo). Schirra was 45 years old at the time of the flight.
• Donn F. Eisele (Command Module Pilot): A 38-year-old Air Force test pilot making his first spaceflight.
• R. Walter Cunningham (Lunar Module Pilot): A 36-year-old Marine Corps veteran and civilian research scientist, also making his first spaceflight. Despite his title, no Lunar Module was carried on this Earth-orbital mission.

The backup crew consisted of Thomas P. Stafford, John W. Young, and Eugene A. Cernan, who would later fly on Apollo 10.

Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle

The mission utilized the Apollo Command and Service Module designated CSM-101. Because Apollo 7 was confined to low Earth orbit and did not require the translunar injection capabilities needed for lunar missions, it was launched atop a Saturn IB rocket rather than the massive Saturn V. The launch took place from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, Florida. This was the final crewed launch from LC-34, as subsequent Apollo missions utilized Launch Complex 39.

Mission Profile

Launch and Orbit

Apollo 7 launched flawlessly on October 11, 1968, at 11:02 AM EST. The Saturn IB placed the spacecraft into a stable Earth orbit. Shortly after reaching orbit, the crew separated the CSM from the spent S-IVB second stage and performed a simulated rendezvous and docking maneuver, a procedure that would be vital for future lunar missions.

Operations and Testing

Over the course of the 11-day mission, the crew successfully executed eight firings of the Service Propulsion System. The SPS performed perfectly, demonstrating the thrust and reliability required for lunar orbit insertion and trans-Earth injection. The crew also tested the spacecraft's navigation systems, thermal control, and life support systems, all of which operated within expected parameters.

Apollo 7 also made history by conducting the first live television broadcasts from an American spacecraft. The crew transmitted multiple broadcasts back to Earth, providing the public with unprecedented views of the astronauts at work and the Earth from orbit, significantly boosting public interest and support for the space program.

Crew Tensions

Despite the technical success of the mission, Apollo 7 is often remembered for the friction that developed between the crew and Mission Control. Shortly after launch, Commander Schirra developed a severe head cold. In the microgravity environment, fluid does not drain from the head, making the congestion highly uncomfortable. Eisele and Cunningham also developed mild cold symptoms.

The physical discomfort, combined with a cramped cabin, a rigorous testing schedule, and lack of sleep, led to irritability. Schirra frequently clashed with Flight Director Glynn Lunney and other ground controllers over scheduling and task prioritization. The most notable instance of insubordination occurred prior to re-entry. Fearing that their eardrums might burst due to sinus congestion during the pressure changes of re-entry, the crew refused Mission Control's orders to wear their helmets, opting instead to wear only their communications headsets.

Re-entry and Recovery

Apollo 7 concluded its mission on October 22, 1968, after completing 163 orbits and spending 10 days, 20 hours, and 9 minutes in space. The spacecraft executed a precise deorbit burn and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Despite the crew's refusal to wear their helmets, the re-entry was successful, and none of the astronauts suffered ear injuries.

The Command Module splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 200 nautical miles south-southwest of Bermuda. The crew was safely recovered by helicopters and transported to the primary recovery ship, the USS Essex.

Legacy and Impact

Apollo 7 was a resounding technical success. It fulfilled all of its primary objectives, proving that the redesigned Apollo spacecraft was safe, reliable, and ready for the rigors of a lunar mission. The flawless performance of the CSM and the SPS restored NASA's confidence and paved the way for the bold decision to send Apollo 8 to lunar orbit just two months later.

However, the interpersonal conflicts and insubordination during the flight had lasting consequences for the crew. NASA management, particularly Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke Slayton, was highly displeased with the crew's behavior. As a result, Schirra, Eisele, and Cunningham were effectively grounded and never flew in space again. Schirra retired from NASA shortly after the mission, while Eisele and Cunningham remained with the agency in administrative and technical roles before eventually leaving.

Today, the Apollo 7 Command Module is on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas, serving as a testament to the mission that got the Apollo program back on track toward the Moon.