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Unmanned Mission
Apollo 4 (20)
Pad
39-A (1)
Saturn-V AS-501 (1)
1st Saturn V launch
1st Launch, Launch
Complex 39-A
Firing Room 1 (1)
Demonstrate structural and
thermal integrity and compatibility of launch vehicle and spacecraft;
confirm launch loads and dynamic characteristics. Verify operation of
command module heatshield (adequacy of Block II design for reentry at
lunar return conditions), service propulsion system (SPS; including no
ullage start), and selective subsystems. Evaluate performance of
emergency detection system in open-loop configuration. Demonstrate
mission support facilities and operations needed for launch, mission
conduct, and CM recovery. All mission objectives achieved.
November 9, 1967; 07:00:01
a.m. EST.
Launch Complex
39-A Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral FL. No Delays during
countdown.
Altitude:
183km Apogee, 187km Perigee
Inclination: xxx degrees
Orbits: (orbital)
Duration: Days, hours, min, seconds
Distance:
November 9, 1967, 03:37
p.m. EST. Landing in Pacific Ocean at 30 deg 06 min North and 172
deg 32 min West. Missed planned impact point by only 16km. Recovery
Ship: USS Bennington
During third orbit and after SPS
engine burn, spacecraft coasted to a simulated translunar
trajectory, reaching an altitude of 18,079 kilometers. The
AS-501 launch marked the initial flight testing of the S-IC and
S-II stages. The first stage S-IC performed accurately with the
center F-1 engine cutting off at 135.5 seconds and the outboard
engines cutting off at LOX depletion at 150.8 seconds when the
vehicle was traveling at 9660 km/h at an altitude of 61.6 km.
Stage separation occurred only 1.2 seconds off the predicted
time. Cutoff of the S-II occurred at 519.8 seconds.
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