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Air & Space Museum

Apollo Command Module Boilerplate

Apollo Command Module Boilerplate

Many of us remember the excitement of the Apollo missions that landed a dozen Americans on the Moon more than 50 years ago. The Apollo Command Module was the only part of the massive, skyscraper-sized Saturn V rocket that returned to Earth at the end of each flight. You can recognize an enlarged version of the Command Module’s cone shape in today’s Lockheed Martin Orion spacecraft and the Boeing Starliner.

This artifact looks very much like an actual Apollo Command Module, but it never carried astronauts into space. It is a boilerplate—a simplified metal model created to test specific aspects of the real spacecraft, such as water landings, launch abort escape rockets, or recovery systems. It duplicates the size, weight, shape, and center of gravity of the actual vehicle.

This particular boilerplate is BP-1101A. NASA used it for flotation tests in the Gulf of Mexico in July, 1965. After some modifications, NASA used it again for additional ocean testing in 1966 and 1967. In most photos of Apollo spacecraft floating in the ocean you can see large round balloons near the top. They pull the spacecraft right-side-up if it capsizes, and they were tested on this very boilerplate.

On loan from the National Air and Space Museum.

Capsule specifications:
Diameter: 12 ft 10 in (3.9 m)
Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m)
Weight: Varied, approximately 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg)

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Monday 10am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm

Address:
7711 East Academy Blvd Denver, CO 80230

E: info@wingsmuseum.org

P: 303-360-5360

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Upcoming Events

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Saturday Dec 13
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Santa in the Hangar at the Museum
Santa in the Hangar at the Museum
Saturday, Dec 13, 2025 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled holiday celebration at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum – festive activities, magical moments, and memories await!

  • Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus
  • Holiday-themed Activities
  • Science Demonstrations
  • Select Open Cockpits
    • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD Flogger
    • Republic RF-84K Thunderflash
    • Steen Skybolt
    • Bede BD-5*
    • Lockheed F-104C Starfighter
  • Discovery Carts
  • And much more!

Pre-Purchase Tickets

You can also see Santa at our second location, Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport, on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Click here to learn more!

Learn More
Saturday Dec 13
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Cockpit Demo Day
Cockpit Demo Day
Saturday, Dec 13, 2025 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Get an up close look inside select aircraft at the museum and learn all about the history of the aircraft, instruments and controls!

Featured Aircraft in November*:

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD Flogger
  • Republic RF-84K Thunderflash
  • Steen Skybolt
  • Bede BD-5*
  • Lockheed F-104C Starfighter

Pre-Purchase Tickets

*Featured aircraft are subject to change. 

Learn More
Sunday Dec 14
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Santa in the Hangar at Exploration of Flight
Santa in the Hangar at Exploration of Flight
Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled holiday celebration at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport). Enjoy festive activities and magical moments. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and Santa arrives in a helicopter at 11:00 a.m.!

Join us for various holiday-themed activities, including:

  • Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus
  • Holiday-themed Activities
  • Science Demonstrations
  • And much more!

Pre-Purchase Tickets

Santa’s presence is confirmed, but his arrival in a helicopter is weather permitting.

Food Truck: Wafflerita – Enjoy a hot chocolate bar*

*Weather permitting, Aircraft on display are subject to change. Food and hot chocolate are not included with admission.

You can also celebrate with us on December 13th at the Air & Space Museum. Click here to learn more!

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F-22 on the Tarmac at Exploration of Flight

We can’t wait to see you at both of our locations

Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum
Exploration of Flight

Centennial Airport

Exploration of Flight