Apollo 7
Walter M. Schirra graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1945 and flew Mercury-Atlas 8 in 1962 as the fifth crewed flight of Project Mercury. He served as command pilot for Gemini 6A in 1965 before becoming a forty-five-year-old captain in the Navy at the time of Apollo 7. Donn F. Eisele graduated from the same academy in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics. He was commissioned into the Air Force and held the rank of major, aged thirty-eight when selected for this mission. R. Walter Cunningham joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and began flight training the following year. He served in a Marine flight squadron from 1953 to 1956 and later earned degrees in physics from UCLA, receiving his Master of Arts in 1961. At age thirty-six, he was a civilian serving in the Marine Corps reserves with the rank of major. Both Eisele and Cunningham were selected as part of the third group of astronauts in 1963. Eisele had originally been slated for Gus Grissom's Apollo 1 crew alongside Ed White but sustained a shoulder injury days before the official announcement on the 25th of March 1966. Roger Chaffee took his place while Eisele was reassigned to Schirra's crew. The three astronauts were first named as an Apollo crew on the 29th of September 1966. They were initially assigned to fly a second Earth orbital test of the Apollo Command Module. Although delighted to be assigned to a prime crew without having served as backup, Cunningham was troubled by the fact that a second Earth orbital test flight seemed unnecessary if Apollo 1 succeeded.
The crew spent long periods monitoring the construction of their Apollo command and service modules at North American Aviation's plant in Downey, California. Simulators were constructed at Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center and at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once these became available, the crew often worked twelve or fourteen hours per day to complete training. They attended technical briefings and pilots' meetings while studying independently. Launch pad evacuation training and water egress procedures were practiced extensively. Each crew member spent one hundred sixty hours in CM simulations with Mission Control participating live during some sessions. A plugs out test was conducted with the prime crew inside the spacecraft but with the hatch open. This test had killed the Apollo 1 crew because it was impossible to open the inward-opening hatch before fire raced through the cabin. For Apollo 7, the hatch design changed to allow opening from within in seven seconds. The Block II CSM included more than eighteen hundred recommended changes, of which thirteen hundred were implemented for this mission. Prominent among these was the new aluminum and fiberglass outward-opening hatch. Other modifications replaced aluminum tubing in high-pressure oxygen systems with stainless steel. Flammable materials were swapped for non-flammable alternatives including plastic switches replaced by metal ones. An emergency oxygen system shielded crews from toxic fumes in case of fire. Fires were set aboard boilerplate Command Modules using various atmospheric compositions and pressures. Results led to the decision to use sixty percent oxygen and forty percent nitrogen within the cabin at launch.
Apollo 7 launched from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station on Friday, the 11th of October 1968 at eleven o'clock two minutes and forty-five seconds EDT. During countdown, wind blew from the east violating safety rules since a malfunction could blow the capsule back over land instead of water. Schirra later related he felt the launch should have been scrubbed but managers waived the rule. Liftoff proceeded flawlessly as Saturn IB performed well on its first crewed launch. No significant anomalies occurred during the boost phase. The ascent made the forty-five-year-old Schirra the oldest person to that point to enter space. He became the only astronaut to fly Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. Within three hours, astronauts maneuvered craft with S-IVB still attached simulating lunar mission burns. After separation, Schirra turned CSM around approaching a docking target painted on S-IVB. Cunningham reported hinged SLA panels had not fully opened likening them to an angry alligator from his Gemini 9A flight. After station keeping for twenty minutes, Schirra let it drift away putting distance between vehicles. Astronauts enjoyed hot lunch, the first prepared meal on American spacecraft. Schirra brought instant coffee despite opposition from NASA doctors who argued it added nothing nutritionally. Five hours after launch, he reported enjoying his first plastic bag full of coffee.
The rendezvous was complicated by lack of onboard radar equipment needed for Moon-bound missions. Service Propulsion System engine had fired only on test stands though astronauts were confident it would work. Burns computed from ground but final maneuvers required Eisele using telescope and sextant. Schirra applied reaction control system thrusters. Eisele startled by violent jolt caused by activating SPS engine. Thrust made Schirra yell Yabba dabba doo referencing The Flintstones cartoon. He eased craft close to tumbling S-IVB successfully completing rendezvous. First television broadcast took place October 14 beginning with card reading From the Lovely Apollo Room high atop everything. Cunningham served as camera operator while Eisele acted as emcee. During seven-minute broadcast crew showed spacecraft and gave views of southern United States. Before closing, Schirra held sign Keep those cards and letters coming in folks another old-time radio tagline used recently by Dean Martin. This marked first live television broadcast from an American spacecraft. Daily broadcasts about ten minutes each followed during which crew held up more signs educating audience about spaceflight. After return to Earth they received special Emmy award for telecasts. Onboard radar receiver locked onto ground-based transmitter showing lunar orbit CSM could maintain contact with returning LM. Throughout remainder mission crew continued running tests on propulsion navigation environmental electrical thermal systems. All checked out well according to authors Francis French and Colin Burgess who wrote redesigned Apollo spacecraft was better than anyone had dared to hope.
Schirra angered NASA managers allowing launch despite winds saying mission pushed them to wall in terms of risk. Jones said prelaunch dispute was prelude to tug war over command decisions for rest of mission. Lack of sleep and Schirra's cold contributed to conflict surfacing time to time during flight. Testing television resulted in disagreement between crew and Houston. Schirra stated You've added two burns to this flight schedule and you've added urine water dump. He declared TV would be delayed without further discussion until after rendezvous. Eisele agreed in memoirs saying we were preoccupied with preparations for critical exercise didn't want divert attention with trivialities at time. Although Slayton gave in commander attitude surprised flight controllers. On Day 8 after being asked follow new procedure causing computer freeze, Eisele radioed We didn't get results you wanted. He added nobody down there screwed up royally when laid that one on us. Next day saw more conflict with Schirra telling Mission Control I wish you find out idiot name thought up test. He demanded personal conversation upon return. Eisele joined saying while at it find out who dreamed up P22 horizon test. Further tension arose as Schirra repeatedly expressed view reentry should occur with helmets off. He perceived risk eardrums might burst due to sinus pressure from colds. They wanted ability pinch noses blow equalize pressure increasing during reentry impossible wearing helmets. Over several days Schirra refused advice ground helmets should worn stating prerogative as commander decide. Slayton warned he answer for it after flight. No helmets worn during entry. Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft demanded explanation believing Schirra insubordination.
None of Apollo 7 crew members flew space again according to Jim Lovell who said very successful flight but very contentious put stop future flights for them. Schirra announced before flight retirement from NASA Navy effective the 1st of July 1969. Other two crew members spaceflight careers stunted involvement Apollo 7. By some accounts Kraft told Slayton unwilling work future any member crew. Cunningham heard rumors Kraft made statement confronting him early 1969; Kraft denied making statement reaction not exactly outraged innocence. Eisele career affected becoming first active astronaut divorce followed quick remarriage indifferent performance backup CMP for Apollo 10. He resigned Astronaut Office 1970 though remained Langley Research Center Virginia until 1972 eligible retirement. Cunningham made leader Astronaut Office Skylab division informally offered command first Skylab crew instead went Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad with Cunningham offered position backup commander. He resigned astronaut 1971. Schirra Eisele Cunningham only crew all Apollo Skylab Apollo-Soyuz missions not awarded Distinguished Service Medal immediately following missions. Therefore NASA administrator Michael D. Griffin decided belatedly award medals October 2008 exemplary performance meeting objectives paving way first flight Moon Apollo 8 first crewed lunar landing Apollo 11. Only Cunningham still alive time Eisele died 1987 Schirra 2007. Eisele widow accepted medal Bill Anders accepted Schirra's. Other astronauts including Neil Armstrong Buzz Aldrin
Alan Bean present ceremony. Kraft sent conciliatory video message congratulations saying gave hard time once certainly survived done extremely well since frankly very proud call friend.
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Common questions
Who were the crew members of Apollo 7 and what were their backgrounds?
The crew consisted of Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham. Schirra graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1945 and was a Navy captain at age forty-five. Eisele graduated from the same academy in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics and held the rank of Air Force major. Cunningham joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and earned degrees in physics from UCLA.
When did Apollo 7 launch and where did it take place?
Apollo 7 launched from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station on Friday, the 11th of October 1968 at eleven o'clock two minutes and forty-five seconds EDT. The Saturn IB rocket performed well on its first crewed launch without significant anomalies during the boost phase.
What safety changes were made to the Apollo command module after the Apollo 1 fire?
The hatch design changed to allow opening from within in seven seconds using aluminum and fiberglass materials. Flammable materials were swapped for non-flammable alternatives including plastic switches replaced by metal ones. An emergency oxygen system shielded crews from toxic fumes in case of fire and the cabin used sixty percent oxygen and forty percent nitrogen at launch.
Why did Apollo 7 astronauts refuse to wear helmets during reentry?
Schirra perceived risk eardrums might burst due to sinus pressure from colds while wearing helmets. They wanted ability pinch noses blow equalize pressure increasing during reentry impossible wearing helmets. No helmets worn during entry despite Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft demanding explanation believing Schirra insubordination.
How many hours did each crew member spend in CM simulations with Mission Control participating live?
Each crew member spent one hundred sixty hours in CM simulations with Mission Control participating live during some sessions. Simulators were constructed at Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center and at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew often worked twelve or fourteen hours per day to complete training once these became available.