Apollo 1

In the history of space exploration, 4 Soviet cosmonauts and 17 American astronauts have perished during space missions. See photos of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for space exploration.

On Jan. 27, 1967, three astronauts were killed when a fire erupted inside the Apollo 1 command module.

Apollo Fire.

From the top: Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee - Apollo 1

Apollo 1 Astronauts James A. McDivitt, backup CP; Roger B. Chaffee, prime navigator; and Edward H. White II, prime pilot, for the Apollo 1 mission, pose on the steps leading to Apollo mockup no. 2 at North American's mockup display area in Downey, California.

In 1967, a flash fire killed the prime crew of the Apollo 1/Saturn 204 mission. Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee lost their lives.

13 Things That Saved Apollo 13, Part 7: The Apollo 1 Fire

Apollo 11 Pictures and Photos - Getty Images

Focusing to the hardware of Apollo spacecraft / Saturn-V rocket

Apollo 11 Infographic by Nick Wiinikka

Lawmakers propose memorial for Apollo 1 astronauts at Arlington Cemetery | collectSPACE

The blog of UK based designer Iain Claridge serving as a repository for random morsels of ocular delight, obsessions & expressions, for your inspiration.

Apollo 1 CSM-012

The Crew of Apollo 1

On the anniversary of the deadly Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo 1 fire, LIFE remembers astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee.

Apollo 1 command module fire, illustration. This fire, in the command module of the Apollo 1 spacecraft, occurred on 27 January 1967 during a routine simulated launch test.