Fire in the cockpit!!!

47 years ago today, America suffered it's first direct mission related deaths with the fire on board the Apollo 1 command module spacecraft. Three brave american astronauts lost their lives in the accident that delayed the American space program more than a year.

At the time of the accident, the names Gus Grissom and Edward White were known to the American public. LCol Grissom was a veteran of both the Mercury and Gemini programs.  LCol White was the first American to "walk" in space during the Gemini program. The third member of the crew, Roger Chaffee was the only "rookie" to space flight. The Apollo 1 mission was to be his first flight into space.

During the afternoon of 27 January 1967, the crew of Apollo 1 was sealed into their spacecraft for what was commonly known as a "Plugs out" test. This pre-flight test was designed to test all the systems of the spacecraft without support from the ground based systems. Unfortunately, one of the criterion of the test was to pump the spacecraft full of oxygen.

At about 6:31 p.m. a voice came over the troublesome communications system (presumably Roger Chaffee) "Fire! Fire in the cockpit!". Those were the last words heard from the brave crew of Apollo 1.  The Emergency lasted just 90 seconds but in those seconds three great men gave their lives to further the cause of exploration and knowledge.

As a result of the investigation that followed, the Apollo space craft was redesigned to make it safer. The atmosphere in the spacecraft was no longer 100% oxygen and other modifications were made to try to avoid the same issues that caused the accident on that fateful day in January, 1967.

We must not forget the brave explorers of the American manned space program. In it's wisdom, or lack thereof, the government has decided that we no longer have a need for our own program. I will have to disagree.

You see, over the years, we have lost 17 people in the direct exploration of space, including Grissom, White and Chaffee. In spite of those losses, we still want to reach for the stars and explore the unknown. It may not be inexpensive but I believe that it is more expensive for us not to do so. By not making the investment to explore and learn, we are trusting that responsibility to gain knowledge to others. That is just not the way to do things.

The Apollo 1 astronauts did not fly the heavens for glory or fame. They would have done it in anonymity.  The reason they did it can be summed up in one word. Service.

They were performing a service for mankind. What greater service is there than to increase the knowledge of all humankind? But now, that is for others as America will now take it's easy place on the bleachers of the world and let someone else do the "heavy lifting" of exploration and discovery. We, as Americans can always read about it on-line.

Until we see fit to develop our own manned space program again, I will continue to raise my glass to those pioneers who without fear, gave their lives in the name of knowledge, exploration and discovery.

As always...