BP-1101 “Boilerplate” Capsule | Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

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)

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

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

Address:
7711 East Academy Blvd Denver, CO 80230

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P: 303-360-5360

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Saturday Nov 14

9:30AM TO 12:30PM

Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Breakfast Fly-In: Food Drive

Saturday, Nov 14, 2026 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Help us give back to the community and start your Saturday with tasty food, aircraft and fill a real-life airplane with donations at our monthly Breakfast Fly-In!*

Celebrate our final fly-in of 2026 at this family-friendly event, featuring special activities in addition to our usual experiences.

Enjoy*:

Bring your donations to help support Food Bank of the Rockies
Learn from the Food Bank and other organizations about food preservation
Play a guessing game on how many goods can fit in our Cessna 150
See aircraft fly in and out on our tarmac and meet the pilots

Food Trucks: Cruz In & Eat & Magic Bar Coffee

Pilots: Fly in for free breakfast! For tie-down space, contact PublicPrograms@WingsMuseum.org or 303.360.5360 ext. 160.

Join us and support those in need while learning about aviation!

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*Weather permitting. Aircraft and activities are subject to change. Food is not included with admission.

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Thursday Nov 19

10:00AM TO 5:00PM

Air & Space Museum

SCFD Free Day

Thursday, Nov 19, 2026 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Enjoy FREE admission at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum courtesy of SCFD, and bring the whole family for a day of discovery, imagination and fun!

Enjoy FREE admission to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum courtesy of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)! Bring the whole family for a day of discovery, exploration and aviation fun!

Explore an incredible collection of historic aircraft, space exhibits and interactive experiences that bring the wonders of flight to life. From legendary military aircraft to the innovations shaping the future of aerospace, there’s something to inspire visitors of all ages.

Don’t miss our newly restored F-16D Fighting Falcon, a former U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fighter jet featuring the team’s iconic red, white and blue colors. Get an up-close look at this remarkable aircraft and discover the history behind one of the world’s most recognizable aerial demonstration teams.

That’s just one of the amazing aircraft you can discover at Wings! Join us for SCFD Free Day and enjoy a day of exciting exhibits, fun activities and aviation adventures for the whole family!

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Saturday Nov 21

10:00AM TO 2:00PM

Air & Space Museum

Cockpit Demo Day

Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Have you ever wanted to get an up-close look inside your favorite aircraft?

At this event, you’ll be able to explore select cockpits and learn about airplanes you never knew existed. Each station has a knowledgeable volunteer who can tell you all about the exhibit, its history, and answer questions. Our options rotate monthly, so every visit is unique!

Featured aircraft in November*: