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Credit - © Mark Wade
1965 Dec 15 - Nation: USA. Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.
  • Apollo CSM ultimate static testing began Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM. Flight: Apollo 204.

    CSM ultimate static testing began. A failure occurred at 140 percent of the limit load test which simulated the end of the first-stage Saturn V boost.

    The loads were applied at room temperature. Preliminary inspection revealed a core compression failure and upper face sheet separation of the aft bulkhead directly beneath both SM oxidizer tank supports.

    A second failure was also observed where the radial beams between the oxidizer and fuel tanks joined the bulkhead and shell. The bulkhead closeouts were peeled for a distance of approximately two inches. No decisions were made regarding repairs, test schedule, etc. These tests were constraints on spacecraft 012.


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