Apollo I

Hey everyone,

After several unmanned flights, the first manned Apollo spaceflight would have a Mercury and Gemini veteran at its helm, Virgil "Gus" Grissom. The second member had conducted the first American space walk, Edward White, and the third member was a smart astronaut from the newest group of astronauts named Roger Chaffee. The crew began to prepare for the launch in late 1966. There were a few issues including communication between the ship and the ground control as well as fire safety issues. On January 27, 1967, during a routine plugs out test was conducted. This is where the craft is sealed and run under its own power. However, an accident occurred. The cabin was filled pure oxygen when a faulty wire caused was a spark. This quickly exploded into a fire which engulfed the entire cabin. The men reacted as they should. They shouted "fire" and began the procedure to open the door. Within 30 seconds, the cabin door exploded outwards, and the crew was dead. The pressure from the expansion of air due to the heat made the door unable to open. The crew wasn't removed from the craft for hours due to various hazards to others. Asphyxiation killed Grissom, White, and Chaffee, but there were others who said it was poor design, rushed construction, and carelessness. Congressional hearings were held on the matter. There was fear that Apollo was done, but it was allowed to continue. Doors were made to open outward and had an explosive charge for emergencies. This accident actually facilitated safety and prevented many other deaths. Still, it's just terrible that it had to come at the cost of three lives. However, Grissom himself said, "If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life". I, wholeheartedly, again.