Manufacturer: AB Emblem.
Dimensions: 3½" / 88 mm.
Program: Apollo.
Flown Status: unflown.
Description:
AB Emblem patch sold as souvenir. The vintage AB Emblem Apollo 1 patch is very close in design to the Crew Patch, but the grey moon, fuller stars, and distinctive angle and style of the fill thread in the seas on the Crew Patch helps differentiate it from the AB Emblem version.
AB Emblem patch sold as souvenir. The vintage AB Emblem Apollo 1 patch is very close in design to the Crew Patch, but the grey moon, fuller stars, and distinctive angle and style of the fill thread in the seas on the Crew Patch helps differentiate it from the AB Emblem version.
Apollo 1
The Apollo 1 mission, also known as Apollo/Saturn 204, was intended to be the first manned mission of NASA's Apollo program, which aimed to land astronauts on the Moon. However, tragically, the mission never reached space due to a devastating fire that occurred during a pre-launch test.
On January 27, 1967, astronauts Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee were inside the Apollo Command Module, designated as Apollo 1, at Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral), Florida. They were participating in a "plugs-out" test, simulating the spacecraft's operations without it being connected to ground power. The purpose was to identify and resolve any potential issues prior to the planned launch.
A combination of flammable materials, faulty wiring, and a high-oxygen environment inside the capsule created a disastrous situation. A spark ignited a fire, spreading rapidly within the pure oxygen atmosphere. The crew was unable to escape due to difficulties with the hatch, inadequate safety measures, and the intensity of the fire.
All three astronauts lost their lives within minutes of the fire starting. The event shocked the nation and had a profound impact on NASA, leading to a thorough review of safety protocols and spacecraft design. The Apollo 1 accident prompted significant changes that improved astronaut safety and ultimately contributed to the success of the Apollo program, including the eventual Moon landings.
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