143. [Apollo/Saturn 203] MISSION CONTROL IN HOUSTON PREPARING FOR THE FIRST APOLLO MISSIONS NASA, 5 July 1966 Printed 1966. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image NASA S-66-39774]. Numbered "NASA S-66-39774" in red the top margin, with NASA caption and "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context This photograph captures NASA's Mission Control Centre during the early Apollo/Saturn 203 (AS-203) mission. The success of this mission provided critical information for the Apollo program, ultimately contributing to the development of the Saturn V rocket, which would carry astronauts to the Moon. Engineers and flight controllers are seen closely monitoring telemetry data on their consoles and display screens as the mission progresses. This photograph embodies the meticulous planning, technical expertise, and dedication of NASA's silent heroes working behind the scenes and serves as a testament to the human ingenuity and teamwork that made space exploration possible. AS-203, launched on July 5, 1966, was an uncrewed mission designed to test the behavior of liquid hydrogen fuel in the Saturn IB's S-IVB upper stage under orbital conditions.