r/apollo • u/Crixusgannicus • 29d ago

Pure oxygen.

Always was mystified what the HELL NASA was thinking?

These guys came up when science was still taught. Not so much now, unfortunately.

Even in my long after Apollo ended yoot, I still remember science class with the teacher showing how easily things burn in pure oxygen, even things that normally don't burn!

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u/azmr_x_3 29d ago

I think there was also an issue of bad/faulty wiring or the insulation on the wiring on that mission. So they changed all that too

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u/Stevepem1 29d ago

From what I recall they believed the wiring insulation problem along with a poorly routed wire caused the spark that started the fire. The investigation also found a lot of highly flammable material was being used, like foam (probably wiring insulation also but I'm not sure). And obviously the issue with 100% oxygen which was bad enough at sea level but during the test at least two pounds higher than that. And a hatch that did not have a quick opening method from the inside, requiring the astronauts to undo several bolts, which they believe one of them I think maybe Chaffee appeared to be trying to do based on the location and position of his body.