When was AS-202 launched and from where?
AS-202 was launched on the 25th of August 1966 from Pad 34. It was the second uncrewed suborbital test flight of a production Block I Apollo command and service module, carried aloft by a Saturn IB rocket.
Questions about AS-202
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the purpose of the AS-202 mission?
AS-202 was designed to test the Saturn IB rocket more rigorously than the earlier AS-201 mission by flying higher and lasting twice as long. It also tested the command and service module's service propulsion system with four engine burns, and subjected the heat shield to 260 megajoules per square meter during reentry.
What systems flew for the first time on AS-202?
AS-202 was the first Apollo flight to include a functioning guidance and navigation system and a fuel cell electrical system. Both were making their debut on this mission.
Where did AS-202 splash down and how was the capsule recovered?
The command module splashed down 205 nautical miles from the intended target, approximately 230 nautical miles southeast of Wake Island. An aircraft carrier took 8 hours and 30 minutes to reach the capsule.
Where is the AS-202 capsule displayed today?
The AS-202 capsule is on permanent display at the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California. Before that, it was exhibited at the United States Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal.
What famous documentary used footage from AS-202?
The documentary film Apollo 11 used staging footage originally captured during AS-202. The footage is sometimes incorrectly attributed to Apollo 11 or other crewed missions, though it was actually recorded during this uncrewed test flight.