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Author
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Topic: KSC Visitor Complex: 'Ad Astra Per Aspera'
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-25-2017 12:30 PM
   
collectSPACE NASA displays Apollo 1 command module hatches 50 years after fatal fireFifty years ago, after NASA completed its investigation into a fire that claimed the lives of three of its astronauts on the launch pad, the space agency stored the scorched remains of its first crewed Apollo spacecraft out of view at its research center in Virginia. Now, half a century after the tragedy, NASA has placed on display the three hatches from the flame-damaged Apollo 1 command module, marking the first time any artifact from the capsule has been on public view. The exhibit, located at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida, is dedicated to the memories of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward White II and Roger Chaffee, who died behind those same hatches on Jan. 27, 1967. "We have gone too far without a memorial for Gus, Ed and Roger here," said Robert Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center and a former astronaut. "In cooperation with the families of the Apollo 1 crew, we're opening a tribute at the Saturn V facility to honor them, 'Ad Astra Per Aspera: A Rough Road Leads to the Stars.'"  See this photo gallery for more images of the "Ad Astra Per Aspera" exhibit. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 01-25-2017 01:01 PM
Welcome news... and long overdue. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1337
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 01-25-2017 01:37 PM
Going to be a very somber moment when we view the exhibit and reflect. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 01-25-2017 01:49 PM
After the Challenger and Columbia displays, I hoped this would happen. Glad to see them honored. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 01-25-2017 01:50 PM
So glad that the crew of Apollo 1 will be remembered with a long overdue display of such a significant artifact. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-25-2017 05:21 PM
That is such a wonderful tribute to the crew and families that gave so much, they gave it all. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 01-25-2017 07:21 PM
Is this a permanent exhibit or is it just for a limited period of time? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-25-2017 07:42 PM
Like "Forever Remembered" in Space Shuttle Atlantis, "Ad Astra Per Aspera" is a permanent installment. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 01-25-2017 09:47 PM
Maybe it's my memory, but I seem to recall that the hatch — or one part of it, or some other major Apollo 1 component — had been in private hands. I recall that it had been for sale but of course was so long ago I don't remember the exact details. Am I mistaken? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-26-2017 08:41 AM
Here is a photo of the hatches taken soon after the fire. |
bwhite1976
Member Posts: 281
From: Belleville, IL
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 01-26-2017 09:46 AM
Impressive that they are displaying all three hatch layers. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-26-2017 02:36 PM
To my knowledge, there are a small quantity of post fire pieces from the Apollo 1 spacecraft in private ownership. Anecdotally somewhere in the region of 50 were produced by North American Rockwell and were made with materials retrieved from a dozen or so boxes sent to Downey for analysis. Most are small commemorative displays given to senior executives but I have heard of one or two pieces that were made in to jewellery!! quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
Am I mistaken?
Somehow, I doubt such a significant piece as the hatch would have found its way in to private ownership but if I am wrong I would be interested to know about it.
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Kevmac
Member Posts: 267
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 01-26-2017 10:53 PM
Does anyone have a diagram or picture of this three-part hatch configuration, or can describe the three layers? I think the outer hatch was the BPC layer and the inner hatch was inward opening. But is there anything that depicts or details the relationship of the layers? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-27-2017 06:07 AM
As you can see in the photos of the exhibit, the three hatches were: - the outer Blast Protective Cover (BPC) hatch
- the ablative (heat shield) hatch
- the inner main spacecraft hatch
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 01-27-2017 06:35 AM
Fantastic, now I know why they moved the access arm from the Rocket Garden. |
Kite
Member Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 01-27-2017 07:12 AM
A fitting tribute to three valiant men. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 01-27-2017 07:36 AM
Not having seen the new exhibit I don't know if this is explained. But the new hatch design combined the inner and middle hatches. There was still the Boost Protective Cover (BPC) outer hatch. On the new hatch the BPC hatch was unlocked by a powerful spring-loaded plunger as the first step in the hatch opening sequence. (The plunger is just above the gearbox on the new hatch.) After the combined hatch was unlocked the hatch counterbalance then forced open the combined hatch as well as the BPC hatch. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-27-2017 12:15 PM
Wonderfully done display, very much in line with the others. |
SpaceAngel
Member Posts: 307
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010
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posted 01-27-2017 02:04 PM
Is this display inspired by the "Forever Remembered" at the Atlantis exhibit? |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-27-2017 02:22 PM
I believe that Gus, Ed and Roger would be honored and proud to know that this tribute is now a permanent part of the KSC Visitor Complex.Long Overdue! Never Forget! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-27-2017 03:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by space1:
There was still the Boost Protective Cover (BPC) outer hatch.
I don't believe that is explicitly stated (I didn't have a chance to read all of the on-glass descriptions) but the exhibit is much more visual-oriented than it is explanatory. The emphasis is less on it being three parts than it is the time it would take to open. quote:
Originally posted by SpaceAngel:
Is this display inspired by the "Forever Remembered" at the Atlantis exhibit?
Yes and no. According to Luis Berrios, the NASA senior design specialist who co-led the development of "Ad Astra Per Aspera," discussion about displaying Apollo 1 picked up after they opened "Forever Remembered," but that it can also be traced back to the fifth anniversary of the STS-107 tragedy in 2008, when the space shuttle program leadership first used artifacts from Columbia to motivate NASA employees to be diligent in their work. |
APG85
Member Posts: 306
From:
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 01-27-2017 04:40 PM
A very nice and dignified display. Glad these three men are memorialized appropriately. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 01-29-2017 07:47 AM
I was fortunate to have been invited to the opening by Ed White III in appreciation for the work on the commemorative patches.I can assure anyone who might be wary of this exhibit it is as perfect as you could hope for. All of the family members I spoke with were pleased with it. I honestly think the technology used (the OLED) glass displays will become the new standard for future museum exhibits. |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1587
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 02-06-2017 01:39 PM
A wonderful memorial to the crew, it must be very moving. From the photos, it looks like you can't see the inside of the inner hatch. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-06-2017 03:40 PM
Correct; only the outward facing sides of the hatches are visible. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 02-24-2017 09:36 AM
I got to see this tribute on Tuesday. I had thought that I would be sad, but I was actually filled with joy when I got to know these three heroes and see some of their personal artifacts. And also knowing that they will be remembered now by thousands of visitors.I really enjoy the use of this glass to help to tell the story. Except when I missed a photo and had to wait for it to recycle. The exit through the Apollo 1 patch was really amazing as you walk out onto the crew access arm. Looking to the right side, you feel like you are really there. Don't miss this. |
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