On this day in space! Oct. 11, 1968: Apollo 7 launches into space, NASA's 1st Apollo astronaut crew in orbit
On. Oct. 11, 1968, Apollo 7 launched into space with NASA astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele and Walter Cunningham. Here's why it mattered.
On October 11, 1968, Apollo 7 embarked on its historic journey into space, carrying the first crew of NASA astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. This marked a crucial milestone for the Apollo program, following a tragic fire that claimed three lives during a launch rehearsal 20 months prior. The mission aimed to demonstrate the spacecraft's viability, having been grounded after the accident.
While the spacecraft functioned properly, the crew faced challenges such as motion sickness, a cold, and frequent disagreements with mission control. Notably, Apollo 7 marked the first time astronauts had to adapt to stringent new safety procedures. The mission's success was pivotal, as it validated the Apollo spacecraft's safety enhancements, thus fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's 1961 objective of landing a man on the moon before the decade's end.
Despite the crew's split personalities, NASA declared Apollo 7 a resounding success, paving the way for the first lunar landing just seven months later.
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