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Apollo 4 was launched on November 9, 1967, and was the first flight of the giant Saturn V launch vehicle. Reaching an altitude of 11,234 miles, the unmanned flight of Command and Service Modules CSM 017 lasted 8 1/2 hours. The Command Module reentered the atmosphere at 24,917 mph and splashed down in the Pacific. The flight qualified the heat shield for lunar flight. Before splashdown at 24,000 ft. the forward heat shield was jettisoned to uncover the parachutes and deployment mechanisms. The forward heat shield was recovered separately and transferred to the Smithsonian along with CM 017 in January 1969.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Parts & Structural Components Manufacturer North American Aviation Inc.
 Dimensions 3-D (Heat Shield, Forward, Apollo 4): 198.1 × 198.1 × 137.2cm, 161kg (6 ft. 6 in. × 6 ft. 6 in. × 4 ft. 6 in., 355lb.)
3-D (Aluminum Pallet Storage): 212.1 × 212.1 × 151.1cm, 242.2kg (6 11 1/2 × 6 11 1/2 × 4 ft. 11 1/2 in., 534lb.)
 Materials Kapton (Polymide), Mylar (Polyester), Aluminum, Paint, Phenolic Resin, Stainless Steel, Steel, Magnesium, Plastic, Synthetic Fabric, Adhesive, Copper
 Inventory Number A19700254003 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.