55 Years Ago- Tragedy on the Launch Pad

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

The event that nearly ended the Apollo Program.

"Each January NASA pauses to honour members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia. In 2022, the Day of Remembrance is observed on Jan. 27. This year’s NASA Day of Remembrance also marks 55 years since the Apollo 1 tragedy. "


https://www.nasa.gov/feature/55-year...the-launch-pad

[Startrek (Martin)]

This unfortunate tragedy where 3 brave men gave their lives in the pursuit of the exploration of Space , did result in humankind walking on the moon before 1970.The accident changed everything in NASA and all the contractors in regard to human safety in Space flight.
My wife and I spent 3 days visiting the Kennedy Space Centre back in July 2018 where on one of our half day tours was visiting what remains of the Apollo 1 launch pad and tower. A small memorial to these astronauts is located about 25m away which is 3 marble sculptures like bench seats with their names engraved in gold.
The visit was a very moving experience indeed
Cheers
Martin

[astroron (Ron)]

Unfortunately since that tragedy, there has been one near miss
(Apollo 13 ) and two Shuttle disasters and with close calls the Mir operations with the Russians on the way to the present day.
I hope that NASA has learnt from those tragedies and
when the return to the Moon program gets underway, that safety
takes precedent over scheduling.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by astroron

Unfortunately since that tragedy, there has been one near miss
(Apollo 13 ) and two Shuttle disasters and with close calls the Mir operations with the Russians on the way to the present day.
I hope that NASA has learnt from those tragedies and
when the return to the Moon program gets underway, that safety
takes precedent over scheduling.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers

“If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us, it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”

Gus Grissom

Clearly there needs to be a balance between Safety and Risk ... nothing has or will ever be 100% safe.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

“If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us, it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”

Gus Grissom

Clearly there needs to be a balance between Safety and Risk ... nothing has or will ever be 100% safe.

As I said

I hope that NASA has learnt from those tragedies and
when the return to the Moon program gets underway, that safety
takes precedent over scheduling.

Nearly all the cases I quoted were found to be at best lack of foresight
and others through haste, or just keeping on using them way beyond their use by date aka Mir, and as it proved the Shuttle program
Astronauts should not be used as expendable guinea pigs.
Challenger was Risk over safety, in the cause of scheduling.
Deaths shouldn't be needlessly be part of the job when
they can be avoided by people dong their jobs properly.
The Apollo 1 astronauts died needlessly.
Cheers