April 8, 1967
NASA report finds Apollo 1 fire caused by electrical malfunction
The Apollo 1 accident investigation board released its final report on the accident today. The investigators found that the most probable cause of the accident was a malfunctioning electrical arc near the floor in the lower left section of the cabin. The fire spread rapidly due to a combination of flammable materials and a pure oxygen atmosphere in the cabin. The astronauts were unable to escape the cabin due to a plug door hatch that was sealed shut due to the high internal pressure. The report suggests that the three astronauts who perished in the accident were not at fault.
Other developments suggest that design flaws made by contractor North American Aviation were to blame for the accident. The so-called Phillips report, a 1965 memo written by Apollo Program Director Major General Samuel Phillips, revealed problems that NASA had not previously disclosed. The memo from Gen. Phillips documented quality and budget problems with the Apollo program a year before the accident took place. NASA tried to hide the existence of this memo, highlighting an unwillingness to admit internal problems. [1]
Apollo flights will likely be suspended indefinitely until these issues can be resolved. However, Vice President Humphrey, the Chairman of the Presidential Space Council, remains committed to the moonshot. He believes that the Soviets will attempt a major achievement in space this October. “I cannot imagine the Soviets letting two such dates pass without trying at last to come up with something spectacular in space,” referring to the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution and the 10th anniversary of the Sputnik launch. [2]
Despite the Vice President’s warning, skepticism in Congress about the NASA program is growing. To President Johnson’s dismay, opponents to the moonshot can be found in both parties, as revealed by several recent quotes. “I think we have the best chance we’ve had” to make a deep cut, said Democratic Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin, a known critic of wasteful spending. “I think there is a growing feeling that this is a nonessential program and is a drain on manpower that takes from other areas.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Senate Democratic majority leader Mike Mansfield of Montana: “I think the budget can be cut. I don’t think we should indulge in a race to the moon with the Russians or anyone else.” The chairman of the Joint Atomic Energy Committee, Democratic Rep. Chet Holifield of California stated, “I am getting colder and colder on this space business as we go along.” Across the aisle, Republican Senator Dirksen of Illinois, said “Does it really make any difference whether we get to the moon this year, or next year, or the following year?” [2]