Forty-five years ago today — November 9, 1967 — NASA launched the unmanned Apollo 4 mission from the Kennedy Space Center.
(Apollo 4 launch. NASA image.)
Also known as Apollo-Saturn 501, Apollo 4 was the first test flight of the complete Saturn V rocket, carrying a full-up Command and Service Module. The mission was designed to test
- launch vehicle and spacecraft compatibility
- the vehicle’s structural integrity under launch loads
- heat shield and thermal systems
- stage separation and reentry operations
- and other factors, including mission support facilities and operations
It wouldn’t be long after Apollo 4 before crews were launching on operational Apollo missions.
![Share on Facebook Facebook](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/48x48/facebook.png)
![Share on Twitter twitter](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/48x48/twitter.png)
![Pin it with Pinterest pinterest](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/48x48/pinterest.png)
![Share on Linkedin linkedin](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/48x48/linkedin.png)
![Share by email mail](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/48x48/mail.png)
![feather](http://www.graymanwrites.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/icon.png)