# Boilerplate 30

> test article used during the Apollo program

**Wikidata**: [Q88182319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q88182319)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/boilerplate-30

## Summary
Boilerplate 30 (BP-30) is a nonfunctional spacecraft test article used during the United States Apollo program to evaluate design and performance. As a specific instance of a "boilerplate"—a class of nonfunctional crafts or payloads—it is currently owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and located at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Brevard County, Florida.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Identity:** Boilerplate 30 is a test article used during the Apollo program.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of a "boilerplate," defined as a nonfunctional craft or payload designed to simulate a spacecraft.
- **Aliases:** The entity is also known as BP-30, Apollo Test Capsule 30, Boilerplate 18, and BP-18.
- **Ownership & Location:** The test article is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is part of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
- **Geography:** It is physically located in Brevard County, Florida, at coordinates 28.605786, -80.669993.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Visuals:** An image of the object is categorized under "BP-30" on Wikimedia Commons.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is a boilerplate in the context of spaceflight?
A boilerplate is a nonfunctional spacecraft or payload that serves as a test article to simulate the weight, shape, and structural properties of a functional vehicle without the operational systems.

### Q: How is Boilerplate 30 associated with the Apollo program?
Boilerplate 30 was utilized as a test article within the Apollo program to help engineers validate designs and test structural loads, similar to other numbered boilerplates like BP-29 and BP-23.

### Q: Where can Boilerplate 30 be found today?
The test article is currently located at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Brevard County, Florida, and is owned by NASA.

## Why It Matters
Boilerplate 30 serves as a tangible artifact of the rigorous testing methodologies employed during the Apollo program. These nonfunctional test articles were crucial for validating spacecraft designs and ensuring structural integrity under simulated conditions before committing to fully operational, crewed missions. By acting as mass simulators, boilerplates like BP-30 helped reduce both risk and cost, playing a foundational role in the safety and success of historical space exploration and influencing modern practices used by commercial ventures like SpaceX.

## Notable For
- Serving as a specific test article for the Apollo program, a critical era in United States space exploration.
- Being an instance of the "boilerplate" class, a key engineering concept for simulating spacecraft without functional capabilities.
- Display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a primary hub for spaceflight history and education.
- Having multiple aliases (BP-30, Apollo Test Capsule 30, Boilerplate 18, BP-18), reflecting its history and identification across different records.

## Body
### Definition and Context
Boilerplate 30 is a specific instance of a "boilerplate," a class of nonfunctional spacecraft or payload. In spaceflight, a boilerplate is a test article designed to simulate the physical properties—such as mass and dimensions—of a functional spacecraft without including operational systems like life support or propulsion. This allows engineers to evaluate structural loads, dynamics, and overall performance in a controlled and cost-effective manner.

### Historical and Programmatic Context
This test article was used specifically during the Apollo program by the United States. It shares its classification with other Apollo-era boilerplates, such as Boilerplate 29 (circa 1965), Boilerplate 23 (circa 1964), and Boilerplates 1101A and 1102A. These artifacts represent a broader engineering practice of using mass simulators to validate designs before flight.

### Current Status and Location
Boilerplate 30 is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It is physically situated within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located in Brevard County, Florida. The precise coordinates of the object are latitude 28.605786 and longitude -80.669993.

### Identification and Metadata
The entity is identified by several aliases, including BP-30, Apollo Test Capsule 30, Boilerplate 18, and BP-18. It is officially classified as an "instance of" a boilerplate. Visual documentation of the test article is available through the Wikimedia Commons category "BP-30."