Friday, May 20, 2016

Welcome Home, Apollo BP-1227...!

Sometimes governments just can't help but play games with one another. That was the case of the missing Apollo hardware.

Here is the story as reported by Listverse. Seems to be taken right out of a spy novel!

Apollo BP-1227



Photo via Google Street View

Apollo BP-1227 was a mock-up Apollo capsule used by US ships to simulate the recovery of Apollo astronauts. In 1970, it was apparently lost at sea near Great Britain while being used. However, there was a Soviet ship nearby which could have stolen it. It would soon find its way back into American hands, however.

In late 1970, the US icebreaker Southwind was visiting the Soviet port of Murmansk when Soviet officials there unveiled an Apollo capsule which turned out to be BP-1227. The Soviets claimed that it had been recovered by a Soviet fishing boat off the eastern coast of Spain and transferred the capsule back to the crew of the Southwind with pomp and ceremony. The Southwind carried it back to the United States, where it was returned to NASA and ended up on display.

What happened to BP-1227 between its loss at sea and its handover to the Southwind remains a mystery.

I figure the Russians were taking the thing apart and trying to get a little knowledge from it's design. Could be wrong, but...I'm just saying!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Weather guy says no rain!

6 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

I figure every screw was removed and replaced at least once.

linda m said...

You know they took it apart down to the last screw. I'm surprised they even gave it back. Sorry I haven't been responding lately, I was on vacation. Have a great weekend.

JO said...

well at least the gave it back that is a big surprise.

I bet your happy to have some drying out time. We have had a break in the wind but tomorrow they say look out.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
I figure you are probably right.
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Linda...
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. I did miss your comments, though.
Thanks for coming over today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
I'm glad to have the drying out time, believe me. Should be clear for the next few days!
Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I am sure that the Russians would do the exact same thing that we would do if we found one of theirs.