Apollo Command Module

Apollo Command Module. "Boilerplate" #1210. NASA often used "boilerplate" spacecraft as an economical way to evaluate designs when an actual spacecraft was not required., Originally named for the thick boilerplate steel used to construct early units, boilerplates were built to simulate the same size, shape, structure, mass and center of gravity of the actual spacecraft they represented., Often heavily instrumented, these craft were used for many types of evaluations, including water impact tests, verifying parachute systems, perfecting flotation collars, and water uprighting bags. Boilerplates were also extensively used for training recovery crews, and to develop procedures on how to remove astronauts from their spacecraft after splashdown., "Boilerplate" #1210, This specific Apollo boilerplate was used for landing and naval recovery training, and to test the development of flotation devices used to stabilize the Apollo after splashdown.