The Mission of Apollo One was simple, a basic shakedown of the new Apollo spacecraft in orbit for several days to test out the systems, navigation, and flight profile for the command and service module combination as well as a manned first re-entry of the spacecraft. A successful flight would make way for future missions and a voyage to the Moon and to land there and return.

On January 27, 1967 a plugs out or countdown demonstration test at pad 34 for the upcoming launch was conducted, when sparks occurred at 6:31pm the combustible materials caught fire and an intense fire caused loss of crew and spacecraft, efforts were made to rescue the crew but after hatch opening they had perished. Escape was not possible. The tragedy shocked the nation.