In Memorium

Pad 34, at which three astronauts died in 1967 during a ground test of their Apollo capsule. Most of the Pad has been stripped, leaving only the basic concrete structure. Beyond it is Pad 37, with a Delta being prepared for launch. Members of the tour group seem oblivious to the live rocket in the background, being prepared for launch.
At the base of what remains of the Pad 34 structure, a memorial wreath for the three fallen Apollo 1 (fire) astronauts.

Other notable tour stops included the Saturn 1B launch Pad 34, where the three astronauts who were training for what would have become Apollo 1 died.

Of greater interest to me at this stop was the adjacent launch pad, Pad 37, on which, clearly visible, was a Delta rocket being prepared to send a GPS satellite 20 000 km into space. That launch was due in two weeks time.

Plaques such as this were scattered across the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Note the error in the plaque. Although John Glenn was the first United States citizen to ORBIT the Earth, he was by no means the first to TRAVEL around this planet.



A Delta rocket is being prepared to launch a Global Positioning System satellite.


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Text, images and audio Copyright to Andrew Rennnie, 2010