|| Apollo 7 Space Flight || 1968 || October 11th || Space || Kennedy Station || Original Footage ||

Mission Report: Apollo 7

The Apollo 7 mission was the first crewed flight of the Apollo program and the first crewed spaceflight since the tragic Apollo 1 fire in 1967. The mission was launched on October 11, 1968, and lasted for 10 days, during which time the crew conducted a series of tests and experiments in low Earth orbit.

The primary objectives of the Apollo 7 mission were to test the Command and Service Module (CSM) in crewed flight, evaluate the performance of the crew in space, and test the various systems and procedures that would be required for future crewed missions to the Moon.

The three-man crew consisted of Commander Walter Schirra, Command Module Pilot Donn Eisele, and Lunar Module Pilot R. Walter Cunningham. The mission was launched on a Saturn IB rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the spacecraft entered orbit around the Earth approximately 11 minutes later.

During the mission, the crew conducted a series of tests and experiments, including testing the spacecraft's propulsion and guidance systems, testing the crew's ability to perform routine tasks and emergency procedures in space, and testing the effects of prolonged spaceflight on the human body.

The crew also conducted a series of live television broadcasts from the spacecraft, providing the first ever live coverage of a crewed spaceflight. The broadcasts were seen by millions of people around the world and helped to generate public interest and support for the Apollo program.

Despite a few minor technical issues and some motion sickness experienced by the crew, the mission was a resounding success. The spacecraft performed flawlessly, the crew demonstrated their ability to work effectively in space, and the tests and experiments conducted during the mission provided valuable data and insights for future spaceflight missions.

The Apollo 7 mission paved the way for future crewed missions to the Moon, including the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which saw astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin become the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface.

In conclusion, the Apollo 7 mission was a critical milestone in the history of spaceflight, representing a significant step forward in the United States' efforts to explore and understand the universe around us. The mission was a testament to the skill, dedication, and bravery of the crew and the countless engineers, scientists, and technicians who worked tirelessly to make the mission a success.