On this day in space! Nov. 9, 1967: NASA launches the Saturn V moon rocket for the first time on Apollo 4, but no astronauts were aboard
On November 9, 1967, NASA launched the mighty Saturn V rocket on its inaugural journey for the Apollo 4 mission. Standing 363 feet tall, the Saturn V was not only the tallest structure than the Statue of Liberty, but also the most powerful rocket ever constructed at that time. However, this initial launch did not carry any astronauts as it was merely a test flight.
The test flight generated a startling shockwave that astonished nearby witnesses. The ground trembled so intensely that it caused buildings miles away to shake, and a substantial amount of dust and debris was scattered across Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA's new launch center. The entire mission lasted for 8 hours and 36 minutes.
The rocket carried an unmanned command module that ultimately landed in the Pacific Ocean. This historic launch marked a significant turning point for NASA as it ventured towards its goal of landing astronauts on the moon.
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