On this day in space! Oct. 11, 1968: Apollo 7 launches into space, NASA's 1st Apollo astronaut crew in orbit
On October 11, 1968, NASA launched Apollo 7 carrying astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. This historic flight marked the first crewed mission of the Apollo program.
On October 11, 1968, NASA launched Apollo 7 carrying astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. This historic flight marked the first crewed mission of the Apollo program. The mission served as a vital test flight to reboot the program following a fatal launch rehearsal fire twenty months earlier. During the eleven days in space, the crew experienced motion sickness and colds while frequently arguing with mission control.
None of the three astronauts flew in space again, but NASA ultimately deemed the mission a 101 percent success. The flight acted as a crucial test to confirm spacecraft fixes made by NASA and prime contractor North American Aviation. Success was essential to meet President John F. Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the moon before the decade ended, especially amid rising political pressure against the expensive program.
Apollo 7 successfully verified operating procedures, tracking networks, and spacecraft systems, paving the way for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing in July 1969.
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Original publication: 11 October 2026 19:51
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