"CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF ROGER B. CHAFFEE" REMEMBRANCE EVENT AT CHAFFEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HUNTSVILLE, AL.

S64-31447 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut Roger B. Chaffee Editor's Note: Astronaut Chaffee died in the Apollo/Saturn 204 fire accident at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 27, 1967, along with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and Edward H. White II.

Astronaut Roger Chaffee on the Reduced Gravity Walking Simulator located at the Lunar Landing Facility. The purpose of this simulator was to study the subject while walking, jumping or running. Researchers conducted studies of various factors such as fatigue limit, energy expenditure, and speed of locomotion. A.W. Vigil, described the simulator as follows: "When the astronauts land on the moon they will be in an unfamiliar environment involving, particularly, a gravitational field only one-sixth as strong as on earth. A novel method of simulating lunar gravity has been developed and is supported by a puppet-type suspension system at the end of a long pendulum. A floor is provided at the proper angle so that one-sixth of the subject's weight is supported by the floor with the remainder being supported by the suspension system. This simulator allows almost complete freedom in vertical translation and pitch and is considered to be a very realistic simulation of the lunar walking problem. For this problem this simulator suffers only slightly from the restrictions in lateral movement it puts on the test subject. This is not considered a strong disadvantage for ordinary walking problems since most of the motions do, in fact, occur in the vertical plane. However, this simulation technique would be severely restrictive if applied to the study of the extra-vehicular locomotion problem, for example, because in this situation complete six degrees of freedom are rather necessary. This technique, in effect, automatically introduces a two-axis attitude stabilization system into the problem. The technique could, however, be used in preliminary studies of extra-vehicular locomotion where, for example, it might be assumed that one axis of the attitude control system on the astronaut maneuvering unit may have failed." -- Published in James R. Hansen, Spaceflight Revolution: NASA Langley Research Center From Sputnik to Apollo, NASA SP-4308, p. 377; A.W. Vigil, "Discussion of Existing and Planned Simulators for Space Research," Paper presented at Conference on the Role of Simulation in Space Technology," Blacksburg, VA, August 17-21, 1964.

Group photo with crew and Astronaut Roger Chaffee at Lunar Lander Research Facility. Chaffee was one of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. In addition to participating in the overall training program, he was also tasked with working on flight control communications systems, instrumentation systems, and attitude and translation control systems in the Apollo Branch of the Astronaut office. On March 21, 1966, he was selected as one of the pilots for the AS-204 mission, the first 3-man Apollo flight. Lieutenant Commander Chaffee died on January 27, 1967, in the Apollo spacecraft flash fire during a launch pad test at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Lunar Landing Simulator: Astronaut Roger B. Chaffee (left) receives instruction from Maxwell W. Goode, a scientist at NASA s Langley Research Center. Goode is explaining the operation of the Lunar Landing Simulator at the Lunar Landing Research Facility. Chaffee was one of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. In addition to participating in the overall training program, he was also tasked with working on flight control communications systems, instrumentation systems, and attitude and translation control systems in the Apollo Branch of the Astronaut office. On March 21, 1966, he was selected as one of the pilots for the AS-204 mission, the first 3-man Apollo flight. Lieutenant Commander Chaffee died on January 27, 1967, in the Apollo spacecraft flash fire during a launch pad test at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

The grave marker of Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, is seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A wreath placed by NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and other NASA senior management is seen in between Astronauts Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee memorials Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery. The wreath laying ceremony is part of NASA's Day of Remembrance. Wreaths were laid in the memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest of space exploration, including the astronaut crews of Columbia, Challenger and Apollo 1. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The headstones of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, left, and Roger Chaffee are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreathes were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The grave marker of Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1, is seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths and flowers were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The grave marker of Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, is seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee are seen with flowers as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock lays a wreath at the grave marker of Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, Sat., Dec. 14, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. National Wreaths Across America Day is held annually to celebrate the lives of military veterans and wreaths are placed at the foot of every headstone. Wheelock honored those who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration as well as fellow service members. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Flowers are seen at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1 after NASA Administrator Bill Nelson placed them there during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson lays flowers at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1, during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The grave markers of Roger Chaffee, and Virgil "Gus" Grissom and from Apollo 1, are seen in this black and white infrared photograph after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen after NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock laid wreaths at each site as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, Sat., Dec. 14, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. National Wreaths Across America Day is held annually to celebrate the lives of military veterans and wreaths are placed at the foot of every headstone. Wheelock honored those who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration as well as fellow service members. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro, background, and NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, place flowers at the Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Flowers are seen at the grave marker of Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1 after NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy placed them there during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, foreground, and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen as acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk pays respects during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro, background, and NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, place flowers at the Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Flowers are seen at the grave marker of Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1 after NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy placed them there during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger B. Chaffee are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place flowers at the Apollo 1 Monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee, addresses guests at Kennedy Space Center's Day of Remembrance ceremony. Held this year in the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, the annual event honors the contributions of all astronauts who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.

Prime Crew A/S 204 Astronauts Edward White, Virgil I. Grissom, & Roger Chaffee receive water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. "Duchess" yacht for newmen. GULF OF MEXICO B&W/CN

S65-18058 (23 March 1965) --- Astronaut Roger B. Chaffee is shown at console in the Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas during the Gemini-Titan 3 flight.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Guests are gathered on stage during a ceremony at the KSC Visitor Complex held in remembrance of the astronauts lost in the Apollo 1 fire: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. Among those gathered on stage are (from left) Faith Johnson, daughter of Theodore Freeman and Martha Chaffee, daughter of Roger Chaffee, Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier and KSC Director Bill Parsons, plus former astronaut John Young (second from right). Members of the astronauts' families were guests at the ceremony. At the podium is Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. Behind the stage is the Space Mirror Memorial, designated as a national memorial by Congress and President George Bush in 1991 to honor fallen astronauts. Their names are emblazoned on the monument’s 42-1/2-foot-high by 50-foot-wide black granite surface as if to be projected into the heavens. Photo credit:NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Guests and attendees salute the U.S. flag during a ceremony at the KSC Visitor Complex held in remembrance of the astronauts lost in the Apollo 1 fire: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. Among those gathered on stage are (from left) Faith Johnson, daughter of Theodore Freeman and Martha Chaffee, daughter of Roger Chaffee, Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier and KSC Director Bill Parsons, plus former astronaut John Young and Lowell Grissom, brother of Gus Grissom (far right). At the podium is Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. Behind the stage is the Space Mirror Memorial, designated as a national memorial by Congress and President George Bush in 1991 to honor fallen astronauts. Their names are emblazoned on the monument’s 42-½-foot-high by 50-foot-wide black granite surface as if to be projected into the heavens. Photo credit:NASA/Kim Shiflett

Guests are gathered on stage during a ceremony at the KSC Visitor Complex held in remembrance of the astronauts lost in the Apollo 1 fire: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. Among those gathered on stage are (from left) Faith Johnson, daughter of Theodore Freeman and Martha Chaffee, daughter of Roger Chaffee, Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier and KSC Director Bill Parsons, plus former astronaut John Young (second from right). Members of the astronauts' families were guests at the ceremony. At the podium is Stephen Feldman, president of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. Behind the stage is the Space Mirror Memorial, designated as a national memorial by Congress and President George Bush in 1991 to honor fallen astronauts. Their names are emblazoned on the monument’s 42-1/2-foot-high by 50-foot-wide black granite surface as if to be projected into the heavens.

S66-30236 (1 April 1966) --- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has named these astronauts as the prime crew of the first manned Apollo Space Flight. Left to right, are Edward H. White II, command module pilot; Virgil I. Grissom, mission commander; and Roger B. Chaffee, lunar module pilot. Editor's Note: Astronauts Grissom, White and Chaffee lost their lives in a Jan. 27, 1967 fire in the Apollo Command Module (CM) during testing at the launch facility.

Family members of fallen Apollo 1 astronauts gather beside a wreath placed at the Space Mirror Memorial following Kennedy Space Center's Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Kennedy visitor complex. From left to right are Lowell Grissom, brother of astronaut Gus Grissom; Carly Sparks, granddaughter of Grissom; Bonnie White Baer, daughter of astronaut Ed White II; and Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Roger Chaffee.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Astronauts, left to right, Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, pose in front of Launch Complex 34 which is housing their Saturn 1 launch vehicle. The astronauts are scheduled for the Apollo Saturn 204 (Apollo 1) mission.

The Apollo 1 monument at Arlington National Cemetery is seen following its dedication, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S66-24522 (1966) --- Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White, II and Roger B. Chaffee take a break from their training to pose for this portrait. The crew later lost their lives in a January 27, 1967 fire in the Apollo Command Module (CM) during testing at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The Apollo 1 monument is seen at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A wreath is left at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S67-19770 (January 1967) --- The prime crew of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) first manned Apollo Space Flight, named on March 21, 1966, are pictured during training in Florida. Left to right are astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee.

S64-32343 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom Editor's Note: Grissom, one of the Original Seven or Mercury astronauts, lost his life in the Apollo 204 fire at Cape Kennedy on Jan. 27, 1967, along with astronauts Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee.

A wreath is left at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Martha Chaffee and Sheryl Chaffee, widow and daughter of astronaut Roger Chaffee, respectively, look at areas of the newly opened Apollo 1 tribute at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center opened Jan. 27, 2017. Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White II and Chaffee perished in a fire at the launch pad on Jan. 27, 1967, during training for the mission. The tribute highlights the lives and careers of the astronauts. The tribute features numerous items recalling the lives of the three astronauts. The tribute also includes the three-part hatch to the spacecraft itself, the first time any part of the Apollo 1 spacecraft has been displayed publicly. A version of the hatch after it was redesigned is also showcased as an example of improvements NASA made throughout the agency and to the Apollo spacecraft that would later carry astronauts to the moon.

iss059e026395 (April 20, 2019) --- The six-member Expedition 59 crew poses for a portrait inside Northrop Grumman's Cygnus commercial space freighter dubbed the S.S. Roger B. Chaffee. Pictured in the center is a portrait of Chaffee who was a pilot for the Apollo 1 crew who lost their lives in a fire during a launch pad test of the Command Module at Kennedy Space Center. Clockwise from bottom are cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Kononenko; NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague; Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques and NASA astronaut Anne McClain.

NASA officials, family members and other invited guests listen to remarks during Kennedy Space Center's Day of Remembrance ceremony. From left to right are Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana; contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath; Apollo launch team member John Tribe; Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee; astronaut Michael Collins; NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot; and astronaut Charlie Duke. Held this year in the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, the annual event honors the contributions of all astronauts who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration.

NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, left, and NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, right, place wreaths at the graves of Apollo 1 astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, and Roger Chaffee as part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 astronaut Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, is joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as he places flowers at the Apollo 1 monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee are seen during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot gives remarks at the graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee, during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Edward H. White II are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place flowers at the Apollo 1 monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun beams through what remains of the gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

The members of the prime crew of the first manned Apollo space flight Apollo/Saturn 204 (AS-204) inspect spacecraft equipment during a tour of North American Aviation's (NAA) Downey facility. In the foreground, left to right, are astronauts Roger B. Chaffee, Virgil I. Grissom, and Edward H. White, II. NAA engineers and technicians are in the background. NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION, INC., DOWNEY, CA B&W

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sunrise at Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida silhouettes what remains of the pad's historic gantry. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun peeks through what remains of the gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro leads guests to a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, left, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, right, pay respects at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom, left, and Roger Chaffee are seen during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Flame deflectors frame what remains of the historic gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun comes up behind what remains of the gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

S66-58038 (18 Oct. 1966) --- The Apollo 1 prime crewmembers for the first manned Apollo Mission (204) prepare to enter their spacecraft inside the altitude chamber at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Entering the hatch is astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, commander; behind him is astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, lunar module pilot; standing at the left with chamber technicians is astronaut Edward H. White II, command module pilot.

Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 astronaut Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun comes up behind what remains of the gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

S66-51581 (June 1966) --- Prime crew for the first manned Apollo mission practice water egress procedures with full scale boilerplate model of their spacecraft. In the water at right is astronaut Edward H. White (foreground) and astronaut Roger B. Chaffee. In raft near the spacecraft is astronaut Virgil I. Grissom. NASA swimmers are in the water to assist in the practice session that took place at Ellington AFB, near the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston.

NASA employees and members of the public listen as acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot gives remarks at the graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee, during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The grave markers of Apollo 1 astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Roger Chaffee are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun rises over what remains of the historic gantry and support structures on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron is seen during a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sunrise over Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida reveals only remnants of the concrete and steel of the once majestic launch gantry. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Ernie Reyes, retired, former Apollo 1 senior operations manager, signs a book for a worker after the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned presentation in the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The theme of the program was "To there and Back Again." The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivers remarks at the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mike Ciannilli, at left, the Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned Program manager, presents a certificate to John Tribe, retired, Apollo 1 Reaction and Control System lead engineer, during the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned presentation in the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The theme of the program was "To there and Back Again." The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, left, Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, center, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, right, are seen as they deliver remarks during the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro leads guests to a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Space Mirror Memorial, seen in profile, is reflected in the nearby lake at the KSC Visitor Complex. The memorial is the scene of a ceremony being held in remembrance of the astronauts lost in the Apollo 1 fire: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. The mirror was designated as a national memorial by Congress and President George Bush in 1991 to honor fallen astronauts. Their names are emblazoned on the monument's 42-1/2-foot-high by 50-foot-wide black granite surface as if to be projected into the heavens.

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen before a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

S67-21294 (28 Jan. 1967) --- Close-up view of the interior of Apollo Spacecraft 012 Command Module at Pad 34 showing the effects of the intense heat of the flash fire which killed the prime crew of the Apollo/Saturn 204 mission. Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee lost their lives in the accidental fire.

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot visits the graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee, during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy place flowers at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1, during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sunrise at Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida illuminates what remains of the pad's historic gantry. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A kiosk near what remains of the once majestic gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida describes the historic events that took place there. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, at left, moderates a panel discussion during the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned event in the Training Auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The theme of the presentation was "To There and Back Again." Answering questions are Ernie Reyes, retired, Apollo 1 senior operations engineer; and John Tribe, retired, Apollo 1 Reaction and Control System lead engineer. The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

Mike Ciannilli, the Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned program manager, at left, presents a certificate to Ernie Reyes, retired, former Apollo 1 senior operations manager, during the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned presentation in the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The theme of the program was "To there and Back Again." The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, left, Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, center, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, are seen as they deliver remarks during the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mike Ciannilli, at left, the Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned Program manager, presents a certificate to Charlie Duke, former Apollo 16 astronaut and member of the Apollo 1 Emergency Egress Investigation Team, during the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned presentation in the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The program's theme was "To There and Back Again." The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

Vice President Mike Pence and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine lay a wreath at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Boilerplate (B/P) model of the Apollo Spacecraft resting nose down in the swimming pool at EAFB during a training session with the first (1st) crew named by NASA. NASA swimmers are in the water to assist during the practice session. Inside the spacecraft are Astronauts Roger B. Chaffee, and Edward H. White II, members of the crew. Astronaut Virgial I. Grissom is visible in the entrance to the craft.

S66-58501 (27 Oct. 1966) --- The prime crew of the first manned Apollo Space Flight, Apollo/Saturn (AS) mission 204, is suited up aboard the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever (MVR) in preparation for Apollo water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. Left to right, are astronauts Edward H. White II, senior pilot; Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot; and Roger B. Chaffee, pilot.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Sunrise over Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida finds only concrete and steel remain of the historic site, long since demolished. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot gives remarks at the graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee, during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S66-49181 (August 1966) --- The three crew members for the Apollo-Saturn 204 (AS-204) mission check out the couch installation on the Apollo Command Module (CM) at North American's Downey facility. Left to right in their pressurized space suits are astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Roger B. Chaffee and Edward H. White II. Editor's Note: The three astronauts died in a fire on the launch pad, Jan. 27, 1967.

NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard speaks after a wreath laying ceremony at the graves of Apollo 1 astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Roger Chaffee as part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and his wife Alexis participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the graves of Apollo 1 crewmembers Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, NASA employees, and members of the public bow their heads at the graves of Apollo 1 crew members, Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

John Tribe, retired, Apollo 1 Reaction and Control System lead engineer, answers questions during the Apollo 1 Lessons Learned event in the Training Auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The theme of the presentation was "To There and Back Again." The event helped pay tribute to the Apollo 1 crew, Gus Grissom, Ed White II, and Roger Chaffee.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy place flowers at the grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee from Apollo 1, during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

S66-51583 (June 1966)--- Prime crew members announced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the first manned Apollo 1 space flight practice water egress procedures in a swimming pool at Ellington Air Force Base (EAFB), Houston, Texas. Astronaut Edward H. White II rides life raft in the foreground. Astronaut Roger B. Chaffee sits in hatch of the boilerplate model of the spacecraft. Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, third member of the crew, waits inside the spacecraft.

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Edward H. White II are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place flowers at the Apollo 1 monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The sun comes up behind what remains of the gantry on Launch Pad 34 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. On this day in 1967, a fire erupted on the pad during a preflight test, taking the lives of the Apollo 1 crew, NASA astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee. To learn more about Apollo 1 and the crew, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)