Command Module, Apollo, #002B

Apollo Command Module (CM) #002 was used in a flight test at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico and was similar to an actual earth orbital vehicle, but did not include certain unneeded subsystems. The purpose of the flight test, designated Mission A-004, was to demonstrate performance of the Launch Escape System (LES). On January 20, 1966, Mission A-004 was launched atop a Little Joe II rocket. At 61,000 ft, the abort signal was sent and all components of the Launch Escape System performed as planned. Following the test, CM #002 was refurbished for land impact tests and received the designation #002A. Those tests were cancelled and further modifications were done and it was redesignated #002B. As CM #002B, the spacecraft endured Vibration Acoustic Testing and land drop tests in 1968. All test objectives were met and very little damage resulted to the command module or to the crew couches inside.