#bp-16

The Apollo Boilerplate Command Module (BP-26) at the Kennedy Space Center shortly after its arrival, for the Apollo SA-8 (AS-104) mission.

Date: April 10, 1965

SA-8 Saturn I Block II (AS-104) at LC-37B during a count down demonstration test (CDDT).

Date: May 1965

The Apollo Boilerplate (BP-26) "being mated to the SA-8 Saturn I Block II (AS-104) launch vehicle on Launch Complex 37B (LC-37B).

The radial configuration of the forward restraint straps of the Pegasus B/Pegasus 2 micrometeoroid detection satellite can be seen inside the cavity of the Command Module. I think the squarish structure to be two of the stowed/folded solar panels of the satellite."

Date: April-May 1965

Night launch of the AS-104 Saturn I Block II (BP-16/SA-8) from LC-37B.

Time exposure of the launch of Saturn SA-8, carrying Pegasus-2 spacecraft. Prominent features of the Merritt Island Launch Area - the Vehicle Assembly Building and three Launcher Umbilical Towers - are seen in the background

Diagram showing the major components of the Saturn I SA-8 rocket.

This mission's primary objective was to demonstrate the launch vehicle's iterative guidance mode and to evaluate system accuracy.

It also carried the Pegasus 2 satellite into orbit. Its purpose was to study the frequency of micrometeoroid impacts and long duration effect of space on spacecraft.

Video of the launch and Pegasus 2's unfurling.

Date: May 25, 1965

NASA ID: S65-42937, 65-H-824, 65-H-861, MSFC-9801797

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Posted on Flickr by Drew Granston: link