Apollo 4 was launched on Nov. 9, 1967 and was the first flight of the giant Saturn V launch vehicle. Reaching an altitude of 11,234 miles, the unmanned flight of Command and Service Modules CSM 017 lasted 8 1/2 hours. The Command Module reentered the atmosphere at 24,917 mph and splashed down in the Pacific. The flight qualified the heat shield for lunar flight. CM 017 was transferred to the Smithsonian in January 1969.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
United States of America
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Test Vehicles
North American Aviation Inc.
Overall: 127 in. tall x 154 in. wide, 8000 lb (322.6 x 391.2cm, 3640 kg)
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and titanium structures. Outer shell - stainless steel honeycomb between stainless steel sheets. Crew compartment inner shell - aluminum honeycomb between aluminum alloy sheets.
Epoxy-resin ablative heat shield covers outside.
A19700254000
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
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