1967-11-09 USA AS501

Apollo 4 (AS-501) was the first unmanned test flight of the Saturn V launch vehicle. It was launched from Launch Complex 39 at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, facilities built specially for the Saturn V. The mission lasted almost nine hours, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, achieving all mission goals.

Photo: NASA drawings depicts the return of the Apollo 4 spacecraft.

Apollo 4 launch cover with  KSC cachet, signed by Wernher von Braun.

An unusual Beck printed cachet cover with a KSC cachet applied.

Photo: Apollo 4 spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific ocean, recovered by USS Bennington.