Apollo 7: Astronaut Food, Clothing, and Daily Tasks

During the Apollo 7 mission (October 11–22, 1968), astronauts Walter Cunningham, Donn Eisele, and Walter Schirra ate bite-sized and rehydratable foods from plastic pouches, wore the standard Apollo A7L pressure suits during launch and reentry, and spent their 11 days in orbit conducting engineering tests, photography, and the first live TV broadcasts from a U.S. crewed spacecraft. This article details what they ate, wore, and did each day, plus the challenges they faced.

Background: Why Apollo 7 Mattered

Apollo 7 was the first crewed flight of the Apollo program after the Apollo 1 fire. Its main goal was to test the Command/Service Module (CSM) in Earth orbit. The crew spent 11 days checking life support, propulsion, and navigation systems. This was the longest U.S. crewed spaceflight at the time, and it proved the spacecraft was ready for a lunar mission.

What They Ate

The Apollo 7 food system was an evolution of Gemini’s. The crew had about 2,800 calories per day, packed in individual servings. The menu included:

Bite-sized cubes (e.g., sugar cookies, fruit cake) coated to prevent crumbs.
Rehydratable pouches (e.g., shrimp cocktail, chicken and rice) that required injecting hot or cold water.
Thermostabilized cans (e.g., beef with vegetables) that could be eaten with a spoon.
Freeze-dried items like scrambled eggs and ice cream (though the latter was rarely eaten).

Water came from a fuel-cell system that produced drinkable water as a byproduct. The crew drank about 2 liters per day. A common problem was that some foods were too salty or too sweet, and the rehydration water temperature was hard to control. Cunningham later noted that the food was “adequate but not gourmet.”

What They Wore

For launch, reentry, and any emergency, the crew wore the A7L pressure suit. This suit had multiple layers: a comfort layer, a pressure bladder, a restraint layer, and an outer cover. It weighed about 18 kg (40 lb) on Earth. The suit provided oxygen, cooling, and protection against cabin depressurization.

During the rest of the mission, they wore the “blue flight suit” – a lightweight, two-piece cotton garment with zippered pockets. This was more comfortable than the pressure suit and allowed easier movement. They also wore special “constant wear” garments (essentially long underwear) beneath the flight suit. For the TV broadcast, they wore the flight suits, not the pressure suits.

Daily Routine and Activities

The crew worked in three shifts to maximize productivity. A typical day included:

Wake-up and morning hygiene (using wet wipes and a suction toilet).
Engineering checks: testing attitude control, navigation, and the service propulsion engine.
Photography: taking multispectral images of Earth for weather and geology.
Exercise: using a bungee cord exerciser to combat muscle atrophy.
Eating and sleeping in shifts to keep watch over systems.

One notable activity was the first live TV broadcast from a U.S. crewed spacecraft (October 14, 1968). The crew showed the inside of the cabin and demonstrated how they ate and drank in zero gravity. The broadcast was a public relations success, though the crew’s informal banter during the mission led to some tension with ground control.

Common Problems and How They Solved Them

Three main issues stood out:

Colds: All three crew members developed head colds. In zero gravity, mucus didn’t drain, making breathing uncomfortable. They used decongestants and tissues, but the experience taught planners to include better medical kits.
Pressure suit discomfort: The suits were stiff and hot during reentry. The crew removed them earlier than planned after the cabin was verified airtight, which was a procedural deviation.
Food packaging: Scissors were needed to open some pouches, and crumbs floated away. Later missions improved packaging with easier tear strips and edible coatings.

How It Compares to Later Apollo Missions

Apollo 7’s food and clothing were simpler than on Apollo 11. By Apollo 11, the food menu had more variety, including bacon squares and coffee. The suits were similar, but later missions had a “constant wear” garment that was more comfortable. The daily routine became more structured, with longer sleep periods and more exercise. Apollo 7 proved the basics, but the lunar missions added new challenges like lunar dust and longer duration.

Safety and Health Considerations

The crew’s health was monitored closely. They took oral temperature readings and reported them daily. The head colds were a safety concern because a blocked nose could make it hard to equalize pressure during reentry. They managed by using decongestants and breathing through their mouths. The exercise bungee cord helped maintain muscle tone, but it was not enough to prevent some cardiovascular deconditioning. After landing, they were kept in quarantine for 21 days, a standard precaution at the time to prevent contamination from any lunar pathogens (though Apollo 7 never went to the Moon).

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Apollo 7 crew eat anything fresh?

No. All food was processed, dehydrated, or thermostabilized. There were no fresh fruits or vegetables because they would spoil quickly. The only “fresh” item was water from the fuel cells.

Why did they wear the pressure suit during reentry?

In case the cabin lost pressure, the suit would keep them alive. It was a safety measure. On Apollo 7, after the cabin was confirmed leak-tight, they removed the suits earlier than planned, but they still wore them during the critical phases.

How did they go to the bathroom?

They used a collection system: a urine collection device (a condom-like sleeve) for urination, and a plastic bag with a fecal containment system for solid waste. The bag contained a germicide and was stored for later analysis.

What was the most memorable meal on Apollo 7?

Many accounts mention the shrimp cocktail, which was a favorite because it had a strong flavor and could be rehydrated well. The crew also enjoyed the bacon squares, though they were crumbly.

How long did the Apollo 7 mission last?

Apollo 7 lasted 10 days, 20 hours, 9 minutes, and 3 seconds, from launch on October 11 to splashdown on October 22, 1968. It orbited Earth 163 times.

Did the crew get along with ground control?

There were some tensions, mainly because Commander Schirra was frustrated with the pace of testing and the discomfort from his cold. The crew sometimes used informal language, which led to a more relaxed communication style in later missions.

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