posted 12-17-2017 09:26 AM               

Apollo 7 50th Anniversary

On October 11, 1968, NASA launched the Apollo 7 mission:

• It was the first manned Apollo flight, with the first American three-man crew to go into space

• Over the course of 11 days and 163 orbits, the crew exhaustively tested all the systems of the completely-redesigned Apollo Command Module

• The mission was declared "101% successful" by NASA and paved the way for America's Moon landing less than a year later

On October 20, 2018, we will celebrate the Apollo 7 50th Anniversary at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas, home of the Apollo 7 spacecraft. Save the date.

posted 10-22-2018 12:00 AM               

Apollo 7 astronaut recounts splashdown at 50th anniversary gala

Walt Cunningham was hoping the parachutes had opened.

A member of the United States' first three-man space crew, Cunningham, together with Wally Schirra and Donn Eisele, were on their return to Earth 50 years ago Monday (Oct. 22), having spent the prior 11 days conducting the first piloted test of the Apollo spacecraft in orbit. All that stood between the Apollo 7 crew and the end to their mission was seeing their drogue and main parachutes deploy.

"We flew into overcast conditions," said Cunningham, recalling his re-entry into the atmosphere at a gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 7 mission held by the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas on Saturday (Oct. 20) "We got down to about 22,000 feet and we couldn't see anything."

posted 10-28-2018 01:06 PM               

The Atlas V launch was that week as well so I worked out with the hotel to have a room facing the correct direction and 22 floors high. It was spectacular to see it light up the sky and through binoculars see the SRB drop away. My only miscue was not getting a photo as while I thought I had it set up I could not get it to work and decided to give up and just watch the launch. My hats off to those who get those long range shots of the various launches, it is a one shot deal and no easy way to practice.

I had been blessed by the VP/GM of our Dallas Service facility as I was asked to join the Gulfstream sponsored table at the Frontier of Flight Museum. Knowing that the NBAA was that same week I had to figure out how I was going to finish the NBAA support and get to Dallas for the Saturday night event. Airlines was an option but with a Friday departure and a Sunday return that option became somewhat cost prohibitive. Also, for those who have read my posts before and our other "space trips" driving thousands of miles is not a big issue for me.

Prior to departing NBAA, I received an e-mail from our editor here on cS. Robert sent me the list of astronauts that would be attending the Apollo 7 event and I was ecstatic as it included Schmitt, Anders, Crippen, Engle and others I had never really met before and really wanted to meet. So knowing I had 16 plus hours of driving time ahead of me I set off at an eye bleary 4 a.m. toward Dallas that Friday morning. My plan was to stop at the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi, just off of I-10 as a half way point. It was while I was in the Florida panhandle when I remembered that the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola was along my way to I plugged the name into the GPS and on I went. I really would have like to have seen this before I arrived: "Access to the museum for those visitors not in possession of a Department of Defense ID is only through the NAS Pensacola West Gate located at 1878 South Blue Angel Parkway."

Yes, the GPS put me at the main gate and the entrance gate was another 45 minute re-route. But as I knew they had a new hanger and space exhibit I had to go.

The Skylab command module from the first mission was still in the main building as before but the Ambassador of Exploration Lunar Sample awarded to Cernan and his moon watch was moved to the new building along with the lunar roving vehicle that was formerly in the main building. The stop added a few hours to the day's travels but well worth it.

From there it was down the road to the Infinity Science Center, and as always, a great new museum with easy road access. It is even more now that Apollo 4 command module is on display and is very visually accessible at this point as it is roped off and photos are not through any glass. The Saturn V S-IC stage was stunning and I took the photo below that could pass for art as well as just a technical photo of the vehicle (a little self-praise there, but it did turn out to be a cool photo).

After a 17 hour day on the road that Friday and the five more the Saturday I was ready for the "main event." I was not disappointed. They were very organized from parking registration as well as the way you signed up to be able to participate in the fund raising drawing.

As far as the event itself, I cannot add much to what Robert has written. However, it was interesting to hear Walt's take on the "crew" having all had colds. His response to that question was, "No, only Wally had a cold, we took the medicine just to appease him." The emcee, Mark Davis, responded "Well if you want to rewrite all the books that talk about it..." Walt replied, "I was there so I know." (All of that paraphrased.)

I tried to win the Saturn IB model in the drawing but alas it will not be added to the Karst-onian nor will the Maceij Maga print of the Apollo 7 crew as it went well at the impromptu auction for those in attendance.

I was certainly blessed by meeting those who were there (see the photos) but one of my favorites was being able to share and gift to Dot Cunningham a patch for the Karst-onian as well as our Pad 34 Southeastern Space Geeks patch. She is a great lady and a super supporter of the space program.

Once again I can say that the cS community was well represented with Tim Gagnon, Larry McGlynn, Robert, myself and I am sure others. We all received a Apollo 7 commemorative patch designed by Tim as well as the special coin that commemorated the event.

Some have asked about autographs, to that I have to say this was not the place for that and while I was ready just in case (as I always try to be), the respect I have for these explorers would not allow me to even ask.