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[ Music ]

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>> Long before the Apollo
spacecraft came into being,

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prototypes and models of each
piece had to pass severe tests

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to prove their flightworthiness.

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The command module or crew
compartment was subjected

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to drop tests to assure the
seaworthiness of the craft.

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And abort tests, at which the
launch escape system pulled the

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capsule from an exploding
rocket.

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Parachute tests --

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And earth impact tests, in
case a land recovery should

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be necessary.

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Prototypes of the various
modules were launched

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into space, to test
flight equipment.

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The main engine of the
service module was fired

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to ram the command module back
into the earth's atmosphere

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at 25,000 miles an hour,
to test the heat shield.

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The engine of the service module
was static fired before the

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launch, to ensure
its reliability,

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a normal test for the engine.

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Its proper operation is vital to
the lunar voyage for maneuvering

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in space, slowing the
spacecraft into lunar orbit

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and powering the
return flight to earth.

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To test the third stage of the
Apollo craft, the lunar module,

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a rather elaborate
facility was needed

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to artificially create the lower
pull of the moon's gravity.

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This is the craft in which
two astronauts will soft land

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on the surface of the moon

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and when their lunar
visit is finished,

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it will carry them back to
the orbiting command module.

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After years of prototype testing
like this, work was begun

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on the actual flight
models for Apollo.

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Each part of the
spacecraft is manufactured

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to exact specifications,
under strict quality control.

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And through it all, testing
is a continuous process,

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from manufacture through
system assembly to installation

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and beyond, to actual flight.

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2,000 measurements tell what's
going on aboard the spacecraft.

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They are fed into this
computer, which processes

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and displays the information
for test engineers.

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Several of these computers
monitor the performance

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of the Apollo craft, from
assembly to lift off.

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When the astronauts
who will fly Apollo

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and space agency officials are
satisfied that every system

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of the spacecraft is
in operating condition,

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they approve shipment to
the Kennedy Space Center.

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The modules are delivered

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to the Manned Spacecraft
Operations Building at Kennedy.

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In this building,
the three segments

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of Apollo meet for
the first time.

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But another series of tests is
conducted before the separate

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parts can be joined together.

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Then the three pieces
are temporarily joined

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and placed inside a
large vacuum chamber.

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The astronauts practice their
missions in something close

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to the airless environment
of space inside the chamber.

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They and the spacecraft
are both checked.

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In the background, computers
follow each and every test,

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comparing the results
against those expected.

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Finally, the three parts
of the spacecraft are ready

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to be mated into a single unit.

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The lunar module fits
into an adapter unit,

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which acts as a protective
shield

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and supports the other
spacecraft modules.

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Next, the command and
service modules are positioned

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on the adapter.

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More tests of the fully
assembled spacecraft follow.

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The testing doesn't end there.

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It's been more than a year since
the first test was conducted

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on this spacecraft and
now it is ready to be made

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into the launch vehicle,
the Saturn V. Even then,

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the testing continues,
right up to the time

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when the Apollo spacecraft
will be subjected

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to the final test -- lift off,

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space flight and
return to earth.