Mission
AS-202
Mission Objective
The primary mission objectives were to evaluate the Apollo command module heat shield at a high heating load, and to obtain further information on the launch vehicle and spacecraft. The flight tested structural integrity and compatibility, flight loads, stage separation, subsystem operations, and emergency detection system operations. All mission objectives were achieved.
Prelaunch Milestones
2/7/66 - S-I stage ondock at Kennedy
2/7/66 - S-IB stage ondock at Kennedy
1/29/66 - S-IVB ondock at Kennedy
2/21/66 - S-IU ondock at Kennedy
3/11/66 - launch vehicle on pad
7/2/66 - spacecraft on pad
7/2/66 - Countdown Demonstration Test
8/5/66 - countdown began
Launch
Aug. 25, 1966; 1:15:32 p.m. EDT
Launch Complex 34
Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Uprated Saturn I (Saturn-IB)
Hold for 60 minutes to resolve problem with launch vehicle digital computer during power transfer test. A 48-minute hold for recurrence of computer problem. A 41-minute hold to attempt to clear up problem with the remote site data processor on the Rose Knot Victor, and a final hold for five minutes to evaluate Saturn IB low fuel mass quantity indicator.
Spacecraft
CSM-011
Orbit
Altitude: 710 miles (1,143 km)
-> Orbits: suborbital
Duration: 93 minutes
Mission Highlights
Second flight test of major spacecraft systems and second performance check of command module, or CM, heat shield. First use of spacecraft fuel cell power system. Liftoff was normal. Launch vehicle developed 7,116,800 newton, or 1,600,000 pounds, thrust during first (S-IB) stage powered flight. After separation of Apollo spacecraft (011), the service module, or SM, engine burned once to raise the spacecraft to an altitude of 1,136 km, or 706 sm. It then was ignited and cut off three more times to test rapid restart capability. CM separated from SM and re-entered atmosphere at more than 32,026 kph, or 19,900 mph. Maximum re-entry temperature of CM's outer surface was calculated to be about 1482 degrees C, or 2700 degrees F. Interior temperature was 21 degrees C, or 70 degrees F.
Landing
Aug. 25, 1966
Splashdown: Pacific Ocean
Impact Point: 500 miles southwest of Wake Island
Recovery Ship: USS Hornet at 11:17 p.m. EDT
