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Boilerplate, Command AModule, Apollo, #1102

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center
Summary
As part of the Apollo program, a number of so-called "boilerplate" (BP) command modules were constructed to undergo various tests and to serve as training vehicles for astronauts and other mission crew members. BP 1102A is constructed of aluminum, with its sidewalls painted with a bronze epoxy paint to simulate the look of a real Apollo Command module after splashdown. It was fitted with an actual Command Module hatch. The initial use of BP1102A was as the water egress trainer for all Apollo flights, including by the crew of Apollo 11, the first lunar landing mission. As such, it was fitted with actual or mock-up interior components and used by astronauts to practice routine and emergency exits from the spacecraft.
Subsequently, the interior was set up to be configured either as Apollo/Soyuz or a five-man rescue vehicle as once proposed for Skylab so that astronauts could train for those missions. It was finally transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in 1977 and is displayed now at the Hazy Center with the flotation collar and bags that were attached to Columbia at the end of its historic mission.
Alternate Name
Apollo Boilerplate Command Module
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center.
Inventory Number
A19800160000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Test Vehicles
Materials
Aluminum structure
Dimensions
Overall: 10 ft. 7 in. tall x 12 ft. 10 in. diameter, 4000 lb. (322.58 x 391.16cm, 1814.4kg)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Human Spaceflight
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19800160000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9aabee72d-4aac-427a-a17b-c5e3de4abc83

Related Content

  • Apollo 11

    Air and Space Museum
  • Human Spaceflight

    Air and Space Museum
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer
Full view of an orange command module with square windows. There is an orange inflatable ring around the bottom of the module and three golden spheres on top of the module.

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