Description:

Apollo 1
Houston, TX, January 23, 1967
Rare Apollo 1 (AS-204) Crew Abbreviated Checklist, Dated 4 Days Prior to Fire
Pamphlet/Booklet
An official, four-hole punched book entitled "Apollo Crew Abbreviated Checklist Mission AS-204", prepared by the Mission Operations Branch. Measuring 6" x 8", Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, TX, dated January 23, 1967. Unpaginated. Bearing the name of NASA employee Gary W. Johnson, written at top right as "G. Johnson", who was present the day of the Apollo 1 fire that killed all three crewmembers. Exhibiting uneven age toning and soiling; expected creasing throughout from evident use. In very good condition overall- a scarce relic from the first Apollo mission.

The checklist contains a total of 15 tabbed sections, including "System Management", "Basic Guidance & Control", "Orbital Navigation Procedures", and "Postlanding Procedures", among others. The final section, entitled "Emergency Procedures", would have undoubtedly been put into effect on January 27, 1967 as soon as the first signs of fire were reported.

Apollo 1, initially designated as AS-204, was planned to be the first crewed mission of the Apollo program on February 21, 1967. The crew consisted of Command Pilot Gus Grissom, Senior Pilot Ed White, and Pilot Rodger Chaffee. Tragically, the mission never flew on account of a cabin fire during a rehearsal test which claimed the lives of all three crewmembers. The name Apollo 1, originally chosen by the crew, was made official by NASA after their deaths.

During an official oral history interview conducted by NASA, Johnson reflected on the event, poignantly stating: "I was hopeful knowing the crew was in their spacesuits they would be ok, but I heard on the headset, the KSC test conductor tell Dr. Christopher Kraft to go to a private phone. My heart sank as I knew it would mean they didn't survive." A year earlier in 1966, Johnson had been tasked with investigating a different fire that occurred during a qualification test for AS-204. He later stated that there was no way to tell whether his recommendations on setup wiring were included in the official investigation, as the report was classified.

This lot comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6" x 8"
  • Medium: Pamphlet/Booklet

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