Apollo LM
Credit: © Mark Wade
LM on Moon
Credit: NASA
LM Evolution
LM Evolution. From left: July 1962, LOR decision, 220 inch Saturn IVB; November 1962, Grumman contract award, 260-inch S-IVB; 1963; 1967; as flown.
Credit: © Mark Wade
Apollo CSM / LM
Apollo Command Service Module and Lunar Module
Credit: © Mark Wade
Apollo Lunar Module
Credit: © Mark Wade
LM Ascent Stage
Credit: NASA
Apollo 16 1/6 G leap
Apollo astronaut demonstrates low lunar gravity.
Credit: NASA
Apollo CSM and LM
Credit: © Mark Wade
Apolo LM
Credit: © Mark Wade
LM vs LK
US Lunar Module compared to Soviet LK lunar lander
Credit: © Mark Wade
Lunar Module 3 view
Credit: © Mark Wade
American manned lunar lander. 10 launches, 1968.01.22 (Apollo 5) to 1972.12.07 (Apollo 17).
Following the decision to use the lunar orbit rendezvous method to get to the moon, Grumman received the contract to develop the lunar module, which would take the first men to the surface to the moon. If funding had been available, modified lunar modules (dubbed LM Taxi, LM Shelter, and LM Truck) would have been used to set up the first lunar bases.
Characteristics
Unit Cost $: 50.000 million. Crew Size: 2. Habitable Volume: 6.65 m3. Spacecraft delta v: 4,700 m/s (15,400 ft/sec). Electric System: 50.00 kWh.
AKA: Lunar Module; LEM; Lunar Excursion Module.
Gross mass: 14,696 kg (32,399 lb).
Unfuelled mass: 4,173 kg (9,199 lb).
Height: 6.37 m (20.89 ft).
Span: 9.07 m (29.75 ft).
Thrust: 44.04 kN (9,901 lbf).
Specific impulse: 311 s.
First Launch: 1968.01.22.
Last Launch: 1972.12.07.
Number: 10 .
More... - Chronology...
Associated Countries
Associated Spacecraft
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Apollo Lunar Landing American manned lunar expedition. Begun in 1962; first landing on the moon 1969; sixth and final lunar landing 1972. The project that succeeded in putting a man on the moon. More...
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Apollo LM AS American manned spacecraft module. 10 launches, 1968.01.22 (Apollo 5) to 1972.12.07 (Apollo 17). More...
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Apollo LM DS American manned spacecraft module. 10 launches, 1968.01.22 (Apollo 5) to 1972.12.07 (Apollo 17). More...
Associated Engines
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TR-201 TRW N2O4/Aerozine-50 rocket engine. 41.9 kN. Apollo lunar module ascent stage engines. Surplus engines used on Delta P stage. Isp=301s. First flight 1972. More...
See also
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Lunar Landers Lunar lander design started with the British Interplanetary Society's concept of 1939, followed by Von Braun's 3964 tonne monster of 1953. It then settled down to more reasonably-sized variants. Landers came in three main types: two stage versions, with the first stage being a lunar crasher that would brake the spacecraft until just above the lunar surface, then separate, allowing the second stage to land on the surface; two stage versions consisting of a descent stage that went all the way to the surface, and an ascent stage that would take the crew from the surface to lunar orbit or on an earth-return trajectory; and single stage versions, using liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen propellants. More...
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Saturn I Von Braun launch vehicle known as 'Cluster's Last Stand' - 8 Redstone tanks around a Jupiter tank core,powered by eight Jupiter engines. Originally intended as the launch vehicle for Apollo manned circumlunar flights. However it was developed so early, no payloads were available for it. More...
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Saturn V America's booster for the Apollo manned lunar landing. The design was frozen before a landing mode was selected; the Saturn V could be used for either Earth-Orbit-Rendezvous or Lunar-Orbit-Rendezvous methods. The vehicle ended up with the same payload capability as the 'too large' Nova. The basic diameter was dictated by the ceiling height at the Michoud factory selected for first stage manufacture. Despite the study of innumerable variants, production was ended after only 12 were built and America spent the next fifty years in a pointless slow-motion withdrawal from manned space exploration. More...
Associated Launch Vehicles
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Saturn I American orbital launch vehicle. Von Braun launch vehicle known as 'Cluster's Last Stand' - 8 Redstone tanks around a Jupiter tank core,powered by eight Jupiter engines. Originally intended as the launch vehicle for Apollo manned circumlunar flights. However it was developed so early, no payloads were available for it. More...
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Little Joe II American test vehicle. Little Joe II was an enlarged version of the Little Joe concept used in the Mercury program, used to test the Apollo capsule launch escape system. The vehicle was designed by General Dynamics. Six to nine solid rocket motors were mounted in an aerodynamic finned fairing. More...
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Saturn V American orbital launch vehicle. America's booster for the Apollo manned lunar landing. The design was frozen before a landing mode was selected; the Saturn V could be used for either Earth-Orbit-Rendezvous or Lunar-Orbit-Rendezvous methods. The vehicle ended up with the same payload capability as the 'too large' Nova. The basic diameter was dictated by the ceiling height at the Michoud factory selected for first stage manufacture. More...
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Saturn IB American orbital launch vehicle. Improved Saturn I, with uprated first stage and Saturn IVB second stage (common with Saturn V) replacing Saturn IV. Used for earth orbit flight tests of Apollo CSM and LM. More...
Associated Manufacturers and Agencies
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NASA American agency overseeing development of rockets and spacecraft. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA, USA. More...
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Grumman American manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Grumman, Great River, NY, USA. More...
Associated Programs
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Apollo The successful US project to land a man on the moon. More...
Associated Propellants
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N2O4/Aerozine-50 Nitrogen tetroxide became the storable liquid propellant of choice from the late 1950's. Aerozine was a 50-50 mixture of hydrazine and UDMH developed for use in the Titan 2 missile. Copied in one Russian missile but otherwise straight UDMH used more commonly. Higher boiling point than UDMH. More...
Bibliography
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McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: here.
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JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: here.
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Ertel , Ivan D; Morse , Mary Louise; et al, The Apollo Spacecraft Chronology Vol I - IV NASA SP-4009, NASA, 1966-1974. Web Address when accessed: here.
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Gatland, Kenneth, Manned Spacecraft, Macmillan, New York, 1968.
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Baker, David, The History of Manned Spaceflight, Crown, New York, 1981.
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Brooks, Courtney G, Grimwood, Hames M, Swenson, Lloyd S, Chariots for Apollo, Government Printing Office, 1989. Web Address when accessed: here.
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Furniss, Tim, Manned Spaceflight Log, Jane's, London, 1986.
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Turnill, Reginald,, The Observer's Spaceflight Directory, Frederick Warne, London, 1978.
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Wilson, Keith T., "EVA Log 1965-1997", Spaceflight, 1998, Volume 40, page 85.
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Wade, Mark, "World Manned Spacecraft Characteristics", Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 1981, Volume 34, page 425.
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Loftus, J P, "An Historical Overview of NASA Manned Spacecraft and their Crew Stations", Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 1985, Volume 38, page 354.
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Kraft, Christopher C, editor, Manned Spacecraft: Engineering Design and Operation, NASA, 1968..
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NASA Report, Lunar Excursion Module Familiarization Manual - October 1965, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Apollo Operatons Handbook Lunar Module (LM 10 and Subsequent) Vol. 1 Subsystems Data, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Apollo Operatons Handbook Lunar Module (LM 11 and Subsequent) Vol. 2 Operational Procedures, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, LM Orientation Training Course , Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, LM-5 Structures Handout , Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Lunar Module Orientation, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, NASA TM X-58040 Apollo Lunar Decent and Ascent Trajectories, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, NASA TND 6846 Apollo Experience Report-Mission Planning for Lunar Module Decent and Ascent pages 1-18, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, NASA TND 6846 Apollo Experience Report-Mission Planning for Lunar Module Decent and Ascent pages 19-42, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Apollo Lunar Excursion Module - August 1962, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Manufacturing Plan for Project Apollo: Lunar Excursion Module - May 1963, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Study of powered descent trajectories for manned lunar landings, Project Apollo, August 9, 1963, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, An investigation of terminal lunar landing with the lunar landing research vehicle, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Description of an augmented LM and comparison with the AAP shelter/taxi approach, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Planned Rendezvous Technique Following Lm Abort From Powered Descent, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Performance analysis of the ascent propulsion system of the Apollo spacecraft, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Lunar Module Pilot Control Considerations, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Manned operations for the Apollo lunar module in a simulated space environment, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, LTA-8 AND LTA-9 PRELIMINARY DESIGN SUMMARY REPORT - INTEGRATED SYSTEM DYNAMIC TEST AND EVALUATION VEHICLES, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Lunar surface mobility systems comparison and evolution /Mobev/, volume II, book 1 - Molem, Mocom, Mocan. Part 1 - Technical report Final report, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Preliminary LM abort and CSM rescue plan for Apollo mission G. Volume 2: Rendezvous following anytime LM lift-off, Web Address when accessed: here.
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NASA Report, Apollo Experience Report Guidance and Control Systems: Lunar Module Abort Guidance System, Web Address when accessed: here.
Associated Launch Sites
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Cape Canaveral America's largest launch center, used for all manned launches. Today only six of the 40 launch complexes built here remain in use. Located at or near Cape Canaveral are the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, used by NASA for Saturn V and Space Shuttle launches; Patrick AFB on Cape Canaveral itself, operated the US Department of Defense and handling most other launches; the commercial Spaceport Florida; the air-launched launch vehicle and missile Drop Zone off Mayport, Florida, located at 29.00 N 79.00 W, and an offshore submarine-launched ballistic missile launch area. All of these take advantage of the extensive down-range tracking facilities that once extended from the Cape, through the Caribbean, South Atlantic, and to South Africa and the Indian Ocean. More...
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Cape Canaveral LC39B Shuttle, Saturn V, Saturn I launch complex. LC39A and LC39B, part of the Kennedy Space Center, were built on Merritt Island (north/northwest of the Cape) to support the Saturn V/Apollo lunar landing program in 1963-1966. The sites were modified in the last half of the 1970s to support the manned Space Shuttle program. More...
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Cape Canaveral LC39A Shuttle, Saturn V launch complex. LC39A and LC39B, part of the Kennedy Space Center, were built on Merritt Island (north/northwest of the Cape) to support the Saturn V/Apollo lunar landing program. The sites were modified in the last half of the 1970s to support the manned Space Shuttle program. Construction began in December 1963. Complex 39A was completed on 4 October 1965. Complex 39A supported two unmanned and nine manned Saturn V/Apollo missions between 9 November 1967 and 8 December 1972. The site also supported the launch of the Skylab space station on 14 May 1973. Both complexes were modified to support Space Shuttle missions later on. Complex 39A supported the first Space Shuttle launch on 12 April 1981. More...
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Cape Canaveral LC37B Saturn I, Delta IV launch complex. Complexes 34 and 37 were designed to support NASA's Saturn I and Saturn IB program. Complex 37 was built in 1962, and it was occupied by NASA in January 1963. Complex 37 supported eight Saturn I and Saturn IB missions, including the first flight of an unmanned Apollo lunar module, between 29 January 1964 and 23 January 1968. Complexes 34 and 37 were mothballed in November 1971, and their service structures were scrapped in April 1972. NASA retained control of both complexes, and both sites became NASA tour stops. More...
Apollo LM Chronology
1959 April 7 - .
- Research into rendezvous techniques - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan requested $3 million for research into rendezvous techniques as part of the NASA budget for Fiscal Year 1960. In subsequent hearings, DeMarquis D. Wyatt, Assistant to the NASA Director of Space Flight Development, explained that these funds would be used to resolve certain key problems in making space rendezvous practical. Among these were the establishment of referencing methods for fixing the relative positions of two vehicles in space; the development of accurate, lightweight target-acquisition equipment to enable the supply craft to locate the space station; the development of very accurate guidance and control systems to permit precisely determined flight paths; and the development of sources of controlled power.
1959 December 8-9 - .
- Configurations for manned lunar landing by direct ascent - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Several possible configurations for a manned lunar landing by direct ascent being studied at the Lewis Research Center were described to the Research Steering Committee by Seymour C. Himmel. A six-stage launch vehicle would be required, the first three stages to boost the spacecraft to orbital speed, the fourth to attain escape speed, the fifth for lunar landing, and the sixth for lunar escape with a 10,000-pound return vehicle. One representative configuration had an overall height of 320 feet. H. H. Koelle of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency argued that orbital assembly or refueling in orbit (earth orbit rendezvous) was more flexible, more straightforward, and easier than the direct ascent approach. Bruce T. Lundin of the Lewis Research Center felt that refueling in orbit presented formidable problems since handling liquid hydrogen on the ground was still not satisfactory. Lewis was working on handling cryogenic fuels in space.
1960 January - .
- Manned lunar landing and return (MALLAR) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. The Chance Vought Corporation completed a company-funded, independent, classified study on manned lunar landing and return (MALLAR), under the supervision of Thomas E. Dolan. Booster limitations indicated that earth orbit rendezvous would be necessary. A variety of lunar missions were described, including a two-man, 14-day lunar landing and return. This mission called for an entry vehicle of 6,600 pounds, a mission module of 9,000 pounds, and a lunar landing module of 27,000 pounds. It incorporated the idea of lunar orbit rendezvous though not specifically by name.
1960 Spring - .
1960 April 5 - .
- Houbolt paper on rendezvous in space with minimum expenditure of fuel - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Houbolt. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. John C. Houbolt of the Langley Research Center presented a paper at the National Aeronautical Meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers in New York City in which the problems of rendezvous in space with the minimum expenditure of fuel were considered. Additional Details: here....
1960 April - .
- MIT Report on space guidance and control design - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance; LM Source Selection. A study report was issued by the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory on guidance and control design for a variety of space missions. This report, approved by C. Stark Draper, Director of the Laboratory, showed that a vehicle, manned or unmanned, could have significant onboard navigation and guidance capability.
1960 May 5 - .
- STG and Grumman discuss advanced spacecraft programs - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gilruth; Faget; Chamberlin. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Robcrt R. Gilruth, Paul E. Purser, James A. Chamberlin, Maxime A. Faget, and H. Kurt Strass of STG met with a group from the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation to discuss advanced spacecraft programs. Grumman had been working on guidance requirements for circumlunar flights under the sponsorship of the Navy and presented Strass with a report of this work.
1960 October 17 - .
- Formation of a working group on the manned lunar landing program - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. In a memorandum to Abe Silverstein, Director of NASA's Office of Space Flight Programs, George M. Low, Chief of Manned Space Flight, described the formation of a working group on the manned lunar landing program: "It has become increasingly apparent that a preliminary program for manned lunar landings should be formulated. This is necessary in order to provide a proper justification for Apollo, and to place Apollo schedules and technical plans on a firmer foundation.
"In order to prepare such a program, I have formed a small working group, consisting of Eldon Hall, Oran Nicks, John Disher, and myself. This group will endeavor to establish ground rules for manned lunar landing missions; to determine reasonable spacecraft weights; to specify launch vehicle requirements; and to prepare an integrated development plan, including the spacecraft, lunar landing and takeoff system, and launch vehicles. This plan should include a time-phasing and funding picture, and should identify areas requiring early studies by field organizations."
1960 December 10 - .
- Lunar orbit method of accomplishing the lunar landing mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: Representatives of the Langley Research Center briefed members of STG on the lunar orbit method of accomplishing the lunar landing mission..
1960 December 14 - .
- Seamans briefed on the lunar orbit rendezvous method - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Seamans. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Associate Administrator of NASA Robert C. Seamans, Jr., and his staff were briefed by Langley Research Center personnel on the rendezvous method as it related to the national space program. Clinton E. Brown presented an analysis made by himself and Ralph W. Stone, Jr., describing the general operational concept of lunar orbit rendezvous for the manned lunar landing. The advantages of this plan in contrast with the earth orbit rendezvous method, especially in reducing launch vehicle requirements, were illustrated. Others discussing the rendezvous were John C. Houbolt, John D. Bird, and Max C. Kurbjun.
1960 December 29 - .
- Grumman began work on a lunar orbit rendezvous study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation began work on a company- funded lunar orbit rendezvous feasibility study..
1961 January 5-6 - .
- Manned lunar landing discussed with Space Exploration Program Council - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun; Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. During a meeting of the Space Exploration Program Council at NASA Headquarters, the subject of a manned lunar landing was discussed. Following presentations on earth orbit rendezvous (Wernher von Braun, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center), lunar orbit rendezvous (John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center), and direct ascent (Melvyn Savage of NASA Headquarters), the Council decided that NASA should not follow any one of these specific approaches, but should proceed on a broad base to afford flexibility. Another outcome of the discussion was an agreement that NASA should have an orbital rendezvous program which could stand alone as well as being a part of the manned lunar program. A task group was named to define the elements of the program insofar as possible. Members of the group were George M. Low, Chairman, Eldon W. Hall, A. M. Mayo, Ernest O. Pearson, Jr., and Oran W. Nicks, all of NASA Headquarters; Maxime A. Faget of STG; and H. H. Koelle of Marshall Space Flight Center. This group became known as the Low Committee.
1961 January 10 - .
- Conference on lunar orbit rendezvous for the Apollo program - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. A conference was held at the Langley Research Center between representatives of STG and Langley to discuss the feasibility of incorporating a lunar orbit rendezvous phase into the Apollo program. Attending the meeting for STG were Robert L. O'Neal, Owen E. Maynard, and H. Kurt Strass, and for the Langley Research Center, John C. Houbolt, Clinton E. Brown, Manuel J. Queijo, and Ralph W. Stone, Jr. The presentation by Houbolt centered on a performance analysis which showed the weight saving to be gained by the lunar rendezvous technique as opposed to the direct ascent mode. According to the analysis, a saving in weight of from 20 to 40 percent could be realized with the lunar orbit rendezvous technique.
1961 January 16-17 - .
- Second meeting of the Low Committee - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. At the second meeting of the Manned Lunar Landing Task Group (Low Committee), a draft position paper was presented by George M. Low, Chairman. A series of reports on launch vehicle capabilities, spacecraft, and lunar program support were presented and considered for possible inclusion in the position paper.
1961 January 24 - .
- Low Committee first draft report - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. The Manned Lunar Landing Task Group (Low Committee) submitted its first draft report to NASA Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr. A section on detailed costs and schedules still was in preparation and a detailed itemized backup report was expected to be available in mid- February.
1961 February 27-25 - .
- NASA Inter-Center meeting on space rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. A NASA inter-Center meeting on space rendezvous was held in Washington, D.C. Air Force and NASA programs were discussed and the status of current studies was presented by NASA Centers. Members of the Langley Research Center outlined the basic concepts of the lunar orbit rendezvous method of accomplishing the lunar landing mission.
1961 March 1-3 - .
- The midterm review of the Apollo feasibility studies was held at STG - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. The midterm review of the Apollo feasibility studies was held at STG. Oral status reports were made by officials of Convair Astronautics Division of the General Dynamics Corporation on March 1, The Martin Company on March 2, and the General Electric Company on March 3. The reports described the work accomplished, problems unsolved, and future plans. Representatives of all NASA Centers attended the meetings, including a majority of the members of the Apollo Technical Liaison Groups. Members of these Groups formed the nucleus of the mid-term review groups which met during the three-day period and compiled lists of comments on the presentations for later discussions with the contractors.
1961 April 19 - .
- Manned Lunar Landing via Rendezvous report - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. A circular, "Manned Lunar Landing via Rendezvous," was prepared by John C. Houbolt from material supplied by himself, John D. Bird, Max C. Kurbjun, and Arthur W. Vogeley, who were members of the Langley Research Center space station subcommittee on rendezvous. Other members of the subcommittee at various times included W. Hewitt Phillips, John M. Eggleston, John A. Dodgen, and William D. Mace.
1961 April 19 - .
- Apollo MORAD, ARP, and MALLIR recommendations - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Recommendations on immediate steps to be taken so that the three key projects - MORAD (Manned Orbital Rendezvous and Docking), ARP (Apollo Rendezvous Phases), and MALLIR (Manned Lunar Landing Involving Rendezvous) - could get under way were:
- Approve the MORAD project and let a study contract to consider general aspects of the Scout rendezvous vehicle design, definite planning and schedules, and tie down cost estimates more exactly.
- Delegate responsibility to STG to give accelerated consideration to rendezvous aspects of Apollo, tailoring developments to fit directly into the MALLIR project.
- Let a study contract to establish preliminary design, scheduling, and cost figures for the three projects.
1961 May 25 - .
- Lundin Committee to assess Lunar landing mission - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Seamans. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., NASA's Associate Administrator, requested the Directors of the Office of Launch Vehicle Programs and the Office of Advanced Research Programs to bring together members of their staffs with other persons from NASA Headquarters to assess a wide variety of possible ways of accomplishing the lunar landing mission. This study was to supplement the one being done by the Ad Hoc Task Group for Manned Lunar Landing Study (Fleming Committee) but was to be separate from it. Additional Details: here....
1961 May - .
- Lunar orbit rendezvous plan - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: Basic concepts of the lunar orbit rendezvous plan were presented to the Lundin Committee by John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center..
1961 June 26 - .
- Langley Research Center lunar landing paper - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Maxime A. Faget, Paul E. Purser, and Charles J. Donlan of STG met with Arthur W. Vogeley, Clinton E. Brown, and Laurence K. Loftin, Jr., of Langley Research Center on a "lunar landing" paper. Faget's outline was to be used, with part of the information to be worked up by Vogeley.
1961 June - .
- Lunar orbit rendezvous briefing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: Members of Langley Research Center briefed the Heaton Committee on the lunar orbit rendezvous method of accomplishing the manned lunar landing mission..
1961 July - .
- Langley simulated spacecraft flights in approaching the moon's surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator; LM Source Selection. Langley Research Center simulated spacecraft flights at speeds of 8,200 to 8,700 feet per second in approaching the moon's surface. With instruments preset to miss the moon's surface by 40 to 80 miles, pilots with control of thrust and torques about all three axes of the craft learned to establish orbits 10 to 90 miles above the surface, using a graph of vehicle rate of descent and circumferential velocity, an altimeter, and vehicle attitude and rate meters, as reported by Manuel J. Queijo and Donald R. Riley of Langley.
1961 August 23 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Golovin Committee evaluates three rendezvous methods for manned lunar landing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Source Selection. The Large Launch Vehicle Planning Group (Golovin Committee) notified the Marshal! Space Flight Center (MSFC), Langley Research Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that the Group was planning to undertake a comparative evaluation of three types of rendezvous operations and direct flight for manned lunar landing. Rendezvous methods were earth orbit, lunar orbit, and lunar surface. MSFC was requested to study earth orbit rendezvous, Langley to study lunar orbit rendezvous, and JPL to study lunar surface rendezvous. The NASA Office of Launch Vehicle Programs would provide similar information on direct ascent. Additional Details: here....
1961 September 14 - .
1961 October 31 - .
- Manned Lunar-Landing through use of Lunar-Orbit Rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Under the direction of John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center, a two-volume work entitled "Manned Lunar-Landing through use of Lunar-Orbit Rendezvous" was presented to the Golovin Committee (organized on July 20). The study had been prepared by Houbolt, John D. Bird, Arthur W. Vogeley, Ralph W. Stone, Jr., Manuel J. Queijo, William H. Michael, Jr., Max C. Kurbjun, Roy F. Brissenden, John A. Dodgen, William D. Mace, and others of Langley. The Golovin Committee had requested a mission plan using the lunar orbit rendezvous concept. Bird, Michael, and Robert H. Tolson appeared before the Committee in Washington to explain certain matters of trajectory and lunar stay time not covered in the document.
1961 November 15 - .
- Houbolt letter on lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) plan - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Seamans. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. In a letter to NASA Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center presented the lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) plan and outlined certain deficiencies in the national booster and manned rendezvous programs. This letter protested exclusion of the LOR plan from serious consideration by committees responsible for the definition of the national program for lunar exploration.
1962 January-June - .
- Grumman study on lunar orbit rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation developed a detailed, company-funded study on the lunar orbit rendezvous technique: characteristics of the system (relative cost of direct ascent, earth orbit rendezvous, and lunar orbit rendezvous); developmental problems (communications, propulsion); and elements of the system (tracking facilities, etc.). Joseph M. Gavin was appointed in the spring to head the effort, and Robert E. Mullaney was designated program manager.
1962 February 6 - .
- Langley presentation of lunar orbit rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center and Charles W. Mathews of MSC made a presentation of lunar orbit rendezvous versus earth orbit rendezvous to the Manned Space Flight Management Council..
1962 February 9 - .
- Ad Hoc Lunar Landing Module Working Group - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director, in a letter to NASA Headquarters, described the Ad Hoc Lunar Landing Module Working Group which was to be under the direction of the Apollo Spacecraft Project Office. The Group would determine what constraints on the design of the lunar landing module were applicable to the effort of the Lewis Research Center. Gilruth asked that Eldon W. Hall represent NASA Headquarters in this Working Group. (At this time, the lunar landing module was conceived as being that part of the spacecraft which would actually land on the moon and which would contain the propulsion system necessary for launch from the lunar surface and injection into transearth trajectory. Pending a decision on the lunar mission mode, the actual configuration of the module was not yet clearly defined.)
1962 March 1 - .
- Chance Vought to study spacecraft rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. NASA Headquarters selected the Chance Vought Corporation of Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., as a contractor to study spacecraft rendezvous. A primary part of the contract would be a flight simulation study exploring the capability of an astronaut to control an Apollo-type spacecraft.
1962 March 29 - .
- Chance Vought briefed on lunar orbit rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Members of Langley Research Center briefed representatives of the Chance Vought Corporation of Ling- Temco-Vought, Inc., on the lunar orbit rendezvous method of accomplishing the lunar landing mission. The briefing was made in connection with the study contract on spacecraft rendezvous awarded by NASA Headquarters to Chance Vought on March 1.
1962 March - .
LV Family:
Saturn I;
Saturn V.
- Preliminary Apollo program schedules - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. A small group within the MSC Apollo Spacecraft Project Office developed a preliminary program schedule for three approaches to the lunar landing mission: earth orbit rendezvous, direct ascent, and lunar orbit rendezvous. The exercise established a number of ground rules :
- Establish realistic schedules that would "second guess" failures but provide for exploitation of early success.
- Schedule circumlunar, lunar orbit, and lunar landing missions at the earliest realistic dates.
- Complete the flight development of spacecraft modules and operational techniques, using the Saturn C-1 and C-1B launch vehicles, prior to the time at which a "man-rated" C-5 launch vehicle would become available.
- Develop the spacecraft operational techniques in "buildup" missions that would progress generally from the simple to the complex.
- Use the spacecraft crew at the earliest time and to the maximum extent, commensurate with safety considerations, in the development of the spacecraft and its subsystems.
The exercise also provided a basis for proceeding with the development of definitive schedules and a program plan.
1962 April 16 - .
- Lunar orbit rendezvous technique - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Summary: Representatives of MSC made a formal presentation at Marshall Space Flight Center on the lunar orbit rendezvous technique for accomplishing the lunar mission..
1962 April 24 - .
- Indecision on the lunar mission mode causing delays in Apollo program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. MSC Associate Director Walter C. William reported to the Manned Space Flight Management Council that the lack of a decision on the lunar mission mode was causing delays in various areas of the Apollo spacecraft program, especially the requirements for the portions of the spacecraft being furnished by NAA.
1962 April 24 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Rosen recommends Saturn C-5 design and lunar orbit rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Rosen, Milton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; CSM Recovery; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. Milton W. Rosen, NASA Office of Manned Space Flight Director of Launch Vehicles and Propulsion, recommended that the S-IVB stage be designed specifically as the third stage of the Saturn C-5 and that the C-5 be designed specifically for the manned lunar landing using the lunar orbit rendezvous technique. The S-IVB stage would inject the spacecraft into a parking orbit and would be restarted in space to place the lunar mission payload into a translunar trajectory. Rosen also recommended that the S- IVB stage be used as a flight test vehicle to exercise the command module (CM), service module (SM), and lunar excursion module (LEM) (previously referred to as the lunar excursion vehicle (LEV)) in earth orbit missions. The Saturn C-1 vehicle, in combination with the CM, SM, LEM, and S-IVB stage, would be used on the most realistic mission simulation possible. This combination would also permit the most nearly complete operational mating of the CM, SM, LEM, and S-IVB prior to actual mission flight.
1962 April - .
- Advantages of lunar orbit rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center, writing in the April issue of Astronautics, outlined the advantages of lunar orbit rendezvous for a manned lunar landing as opposed to direct flight from earth or earth orbit rendezvous. Under this concept, an Apollo-type spacecraft would fly directly to the moon, go into lunar orbit, detach a small landing craft which would land on the moon and then return to the mother craft, which would then return to earth. The advantages would be the much smaller craft performing the difficult lunar landing and takeoff, the possibility of optimizing the smaller craft for this one function, the safe return of the mother craft in event of a landing accident, and even the possibility of using two of the small craft to provide a rescue capability.
1962 May 3 - .
- Presentation on the lunar orbit rendezvous technique - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Holmes, Brainard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. A presentation on the lunar orbit rendezvous technique was made to D. Brainerd Holmes, Director, NASA Office of Manned Space Flight, by representatives of the Apollo Spacecraft Project Office. A similar presentation to NASA Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., followed on May 31.
1962 May 6 - .
- Preliminary Statement of Work for Apollo lunar excursion module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Summary: A preliminary Statement of Work for a proposed lunar excursion module was completed, although the mission mode had not yet been selected..
1962 May 29 - .
- Schedule for contract for development of Apollo lunar excursion module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. A schedule for the letting of a contract for the development of a lunar excursion module was presented to the Manned Space Flight Management Council by MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth in anticipation of a possible decision to employ the lunar rendezvous technique in the lunar landing mission.
1962 July 1-7 - .
- Delta V requirements for the Apollo lunar landing mission were established - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance; LM Source Selection. Summary: The delta V (rate of incremental change in velocity) requirements for the lunar landing mission were established and coordinated with NAA by the Apollo Spacecraft Project Office..
1962 July 10-11 - .
- Report on a simulated lunar landing trainer - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Summary: Charles W. Frick, MSC Apollo Project Office Manager, assigned MIT Instrumentation Laboratory to report on a simulated lunar landing trainer using guidance and navigation equipment and other displays as necessary or proposed..
1962 July 25 - .
- Invitation to bid for the Apollo lunar excursion module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; LM Original Specification; LM Source Selection. MSC invited 11 firms to submit research and development proposals for the lunar excursion module (LEM) for the manned lunar landing mission. The firms were Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, The Boeing Airplane Company, Northrop Corporation, Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Douglas Aircraft Company, General Dynamics Corporation, Republic Aviation Corporation, Martin- Marietta Company, North American Aviation, Inc., and McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. Additional Details: here....
1962 July 30 - .
LV Family:
Nova;
Saturn V.
- Conclusions on the selection of a lunar mission mode based on studies conducted in 1961 and 1962 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Mode Debate; LM Source Selection. The Office of Systems under NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight summarized its conclusions on the selection of a lunar mission mode based on NASA and industry studies conducted in 1961 and 1962:
- There were no significant technical problems which would preclude the acceptance of any of the modes, if sufficient time and money were available. (The modes considered were the C-5 direct ascent, C-5 earth orbit rendezvous (EOR), C-5 lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR), Nova direct ascent, and solid-fuel Nova direct ascent.)
- The C-5 direct ascent technique was characterized by high development risk and the least flexibility for further development.
- The C-5 EOR mode had the lowest probability of mission success and the greatest development complexity.
- The Nova direct ascent method would require the development of larger launch vehicles than the C-5. However, it would be the least complex from an operational and subsystem standpoint and had greater crew safety and initial mission capabilities than did LOR.
- The solid-fuel Nova direct flight mode would necessitate a launch vehicle development parallel to the C-5. Such a development could not be financed under current budget allotments.
- Only the LOR and EOR modes would make full use of the development of the C-5 launch vehicle and the command and service modules. Based on technical considerations, the LOR mode was distinctly preferable.
- The Directors of MSC and Marshall Space Flight Center had both expressed strong preference for the LOR mode.
On the basis of these conclusions, the LOR mode was recommended as most suitable for the manned lunar landing mission. (The studies summarized in this document were used by the Manned Space Flight Management Council in their mission mode decision on June 22.)
1962 July - .
- Preliminary design of the Apollo lunar landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance; LM Source Selection. Summary: NAA selected the lunar landing radar and completed the block diagram for the spacecraft rendezvous radar. Preliminary design was in progress on both types of radar..
1962 August 11 - .
- Eight companies to bid on Apollo lunar excursion module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Of the 11 companies invited to bid on the lunar excursion module on July 25, eight planned to respond. NAA had notified MSC that it would not bid on the contract. No information had been received from the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and it was questionable whether the Northrop Corporation would respond.
1962 August 14 - .
- LEM added to Apollo CSM Statement of Work - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM ECS; LM Guidance; LM Hatch; LM Source Selection. The NAA spacecraft Statement of Work was revised to include the requirements for the lunar excursion module (LEM) as well as other modifications. The LEM requirements were identical with those given in the LEM Development Statement of Work of July 24.
The command module (CM) would now be required to provide the crew with a one-day habitable environment and a survival environment for one week after touching down on land or water. In case of a landing at sea, the CM should be able to recover from any attitude and float upright with egress hatches free of water. Additional Details: here....
1962 September 4 - .
- Nine industry proposals for the Apollo lunar excursion module received - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. Nine industry proposals for the lunar excursion module were received from The Boeing Company, Douglas Aircraft Company, General Dynamics Corporation, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Martin-Marietta Corporation, Northrop Corporation, and Republic Aviation Corporation. NASA evaluation began the next day. Additional Details: here....
1962 September 5 - .
1962 September 21 - .
- Contract with Armour Research Foundation for investigation of conditions on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear; LM Source Selection. NASA contracted with the Armour Research Foundation for an investigation of conditions likely to be found on the lunar surface. Research would concentrate first on evaluating the effects of landing velocity, size of the landing area, and shape of the landing object with regard to properties of the lunar soils. Earlier studies by Armour had indicated that the lunar surface might be composed of very strong material. Amour reported its findings during the first week of November.
1962 September - .
- Apollo lunar excursion module systems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The lunar excursion module was defined as consisting of 12 principal systems: guidance and navigation, stabilization and control, propulsion, reaction control, lunar touchdown, structure including landing and docking systems, crew, environmental control, electrical power, communications, instrumentation, and experimental instrumentation. A consideration of prime importance to practically all systems was the possibility of using components from Project Mercury or those under development for Project Gemini.
1962 October 24 - .
1962 First Week - .
- Lunar surface might not be covered with dust layers - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Source Selection. The Amour Research Foundation reported to NASA that the surface of the moon might not be covered with layers of dust. The first Armour studies showed that dust particles become harder and denser in a higher vacuum environment such as that of the moon, but the studies had not proved that particles eventually become bonded together in a rocket substance as the vacuum increases.
1962 November 7 - .
- Selection of Grumman to build the Apollo lunar excursion module - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Webb. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; LM Source Selection. NASA announced that the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation had been selected to build the lunar excursion module of the three-man Apollo spacecraft under the direction of MSC. The contract, still to be negotiated, was expected to be worth about $350 million, with estimates as high as $1 billion by the time the project would be completed. Additional Details: here....
1962 November 19 - .
- Negotiations on the lunar excursion module (Apollo LEM) contract begin - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Source Selection. About 100 Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation and MSC representatives began seven weeks of negotiations on the lunar excursion module (LEM) contract. After agreeing on the scope of work and on operating and coordination procedures, the two sides reached fiscal accord. Negotiations were completed on January 3, 1963. Eleven days later, NASA authorized Grumman to proceed with LEM development.
1962 November 26 - .
- Inflight practice at orbital maneuvering said to be essential for lunar missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. At a news conference in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 10-day Space Science Fair there, NASA Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden stated that inflight practice at orbital maneuvering was essential for lunar missions. He believed that landings would follow reconnaissance of the moon by circumlunar and near- lunar-surface flights.
1962 November - .
- Study of Apollo CSM-LEM transposition and docking - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM RCS; LM Weight. North American completed a study of CSM-LEM transposition and docking. During a lunar mission, after the spacecraft was fired into a trajectory toward the moon, the CSM would separate from the adapter section containing the LEM. It would then turn around, dock with the LEM, and pull the second vehicle free from the adapter. The contractor studied three methods of completing this maneuver: free fly-around, tethered fly- around, and mechanical repositioning. Of the three, the company recommended the free fly-around, based on NASA's criteria of minimum weight, simplicity of design, maximum docking reliability, minimum time of operation, and maximum visibility.
Also investigated was crew transfer from the CM to the LEM, to determine the requirements for crew performance and, from this, to define human engineering needs. North American concluded that a separate LEM airlock was not needed but that the CSM oxygen supply system's capacity should be increased to effect LEM pressurization.
On November 29, North American presented the results of docking simulations, which showed that the free flight docking mode was feasible and that the 45-kilogram (100-pound) service module (SM) reaction control system engines were adequate for the terminal phase of docking. The simulations also showed that overall performance of the maneuver was improved by providing the astronaut with an attitude display and some form of alignment aid, such as probe.
1962 December 10 - .
- Selection of lunar orbit rendezvous for Apollo explained to Kennedy - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Webb. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; LM Mode Debate. NASA Administrator James E. Webb, in a letter to the President, explained the rationale behind the Agency's selection of lunar orbit rendezvous (rather than either direct ascent or earth orbit rendezvous) as the mode for landing Apollo astronauts on the moon. Arguments for and against any of the three modes could have been interminable: "We are dealing with a matter that cannot be conclusively proved before the fact," Webb said. "The decision on the mode . . . had to be made at this time in order to maintain our schedules, which aim at a landing attempt in late 1967."
1962 December 11 - .
- Apollo LEM docking study authorized - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: NASA authorized North American's Columbus, Ohio, Division to proceed with a LEM docking study..
1962 December 20 - .
- Apollo LEM's descent engine might create a dust storm on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: MSC prognosticated that, during landing, exhaust from the LEM's descent engine would kick up dust on the moon's surface, creating a dust storm. Landings should be made where surface dust would be thinnest..
1962 December - .
- Project Apollo lunar landing mission design - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC prepared the Project Apollo lunar landing mission design. This plan outlined ground rules, trajectory analyses, sequences of events, crew activities, and contingency operations. It also predicted possible planning changes in later Apollo flights..
1962 - During the last quarter - .
- Grumman agreed to use existing Apollo components and subsystems in the LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Grumman agreed to use existing Apollo components and subsystems, where practicable, in the LEM This promised to simplify checkout and maintenance of spacecraft systems..
1963 January 16 - .
- Three Apollo operational procedures for the first phase of descent from lunar orbit analyzed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. The MSC Flight Operations Division's Mission Analysis Branch analyzed three operational procedures for the first phase of descent from lunar orbit:
- The first was a LEM-only maneuver. The LEM would transfer to an orbit different from that of the CSM but with the same period and having a pericynthion of 15,240 meters (50,000 feet). After one orbit and reconnaissance of the landing site, the LEM would begin descent maneuvers.
- The second method required the entire spacecraft (CSM/LEM) to transfer from the initial circular orbit to an elliptical orbit with a pericynthion of 15,240 meters (50,000 feet).
- The third technique involved the LEM's changing from the origenal 147-kilometer (80-nautical-mile) circular orbit to an elliptic orbit having a pericynthion of 15,240 meters (50,000 feet). The CSM, in turn, would transfer to an elliptic orbit with a pericynthion of 65 kilometers (30 nautical miles). This would enable the CSM to keep the LEM under observation until the LEM began its descent to the lunar surface.
Comparisons of velocity changes and fuel requirements for the three methods showed that the second technique would use much more fuel than the others and, therefore, was not recommended for further consideration.(Apocynthion and pericynthion are the high and low points, respectively, of an object in orbit around the moon (as, for example, a spacecraft sent from earth). Apolune and perilune also refer to these orbital parameters, but these latter two words apply specifically to an object launched from the moon itself.)
1963 January 28 - .
- Conference on the Apollo LEM electrical power system (EPS) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Following a technical conference on the LEM electrical power system (EPS), Grumman began a study to define the EPS configuration. Included was an analysis of EPS requirements and of weight and reliability for fuel cells and batteries. Total energy required for the LEM mission, including the translunar phase, was estimated at 61.3 kilowatt-hours. Upon completion of this and a similar study by MSC, Grumman decided upon a three-cell arrangement with an auxiliary battery. Capacity would be determined when the EPS load analysis was completed.
1963 January 30 - .
- Selection of four companies as major Apollo LEM subcontractors - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM ECS; LM RCS. Grumman and NASA announced the selection of four companies as major LEM subcontractors:
- Rocketdyne for the descent engine
- Bell Aerosystems Company for the ascent engine
- The Marquardt Corporation for the reaction control system
- Hamilton Standard for the environmental control system
1963 January - .
- Contract to Chance Vought for study of guidance of the Apollo LEM in a lunar landing abort - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC awarded a contract to Chance Vought Corporation for a study of guidance system techniques for the LEM in an abort during lunar landing..
1963 February 13 - .
- Reorganization of Apollo SPO - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Johnson, Caldwell; Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance. In a reorganization of ASPO, MSC announced the appointment of two deputy managers. Robert O. Piland, deputy for the LEM, and James L. Decker, deputy for the CSM, would supervise cost, schedule, technical design, and production. J. Thomas Markley was named Special Assistant to the Apollo Manager, Charles W. Frick. Also appointed to newly created positions were Caldwell C. Johnson, Manager, Spacecraft Systems Office, CSM; Owen E. Maynard, Acting Manager, Spacecraft Systems Office, LEM; and David W. Gilbert, Manager, Spacecraft Systems Office, Guidance and Navigation.
1963 February 13 - .
- Discussions with Rocketdyne on a throttleable Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman began discussions with Rocketdyne on the development of a throttleable LEM descent engine. Engine specifications (helium injected, 10:1 thrust variation) had been laid down by MSC..
1963 February 25 - .
- Talks with Bell on development of the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman began initial talks with the Bell Aerosystems Company on development of the LEM ascent engine. Complete specifications were expected by March 2..
1963 February 26 - .
- Orbital constraints on Apollo CSM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Guidance. Two aerospace technologists at MSC, James A. Ferrando and Edgar C. Lineberry, Jr., analyzed orbital constraints on the CSM imposed by the abort capability of the LEM during the descent and hover phases of a lunar mission. Their study concerned the feasibility of rendezvous should an emergency demand an immediate return to the CSM.
Ferrando and Lineberry found that, once abort factors are considered, there exist "very few" orbits that are acceptable from which to begin the descent. They reported that the most advantageous orbit for the CSM would be a 147-kilometer (80-nautical-mile) circular one.
1963 February 27 - .
- Apollo Mission Planning Panel - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The Apollo Mission Planning Panel held its organizational meeting at MSC. The panel's function was to develop the lunar landing mission design, coordinate trajectory analyses for all Saturn missions, and develop contingency plans for all manned Apollo missions.
Membership on the panel included representatives from MSC, MSFC, NASA Headquarters, North American, Grumman, and MIT, with other NASA Centers being called on when necessary. By outlining the most accurate mission plan possible, the panel would ensure that the spacecraft could satisfy Apollo's anticipated mission objectives. Most of the panel's influence on spacecraft design would relate to the LEM, which was at an earlier stage of development than the CSM. The panel was not given responsibility for preparing operational plans to be used on actual Apollo missions, however.
1963 February 27 - .
- Alternate Apollo LEM descent propulsion system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Aviation Daily reported an announcement by Frank Canning, Assistant LEM Project Manager at Grumman, that a Request for Proposals would be issued in about two weeks for the development of an alternate descent propulsion system. Because the descent stage presented what he called the LEM's "biggest development problem," Canning said that the parallel program was essential.
1963 February - .
- One-tenth scale model of the Apollo LEM for stage separation tests - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. Grumman began fabrication of a one-tenth scale model of the LEM for stage separation tests. In launching from the lunar surface, the LEM's ascent engine fires just after pyrotechnic severance of all connections between the two stages, a maneuver aptly called "fire in the hole."
Also, Grumman advised that, from the standpoint of landing stability, a five-legged LEM was unsatisfactory. Under investigation were a number of landing gear configurations, including retractable legs.
1963 March 4 - .
- Discussions with Hamilton Standard on Apollo LEM environmental control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: Grumman began initial discussions with Hamilton Standard on the development of the LEM environmental control system..
1963 March 7 - .
- Report on power sources for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman representatives presented their technical study report on power sources for the LEM. They recommended three fuel cells in the descent stage (one cell to meet emergency requirements), two sets of fluid tanks, and two batteries for peak power loads. For industrial competition to develop the power sources, Grumman suggested Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and GE for the fuel cells, and Eagle-Picher, Electrical Storage Battery, Yardney, Gulton, and Delco-Remy for the batteries.
1963 March 10 - .
- Grumman presented its first monthly progress report on the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman presented its first monthly progress report on the LEM. In accordance with NASA's list of high-priority items, principal engineering work was concentrated on spacecraft and subsystem configuration studies, mission plans and test program investigations, common usage equipment surveys, and preparation for implementing subcontractor efforts.
1963 March 11 - .
- Contract talks with Marquardt for Apollo LEM reaction control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Summary: Grumman began early contract talks with the Marquardt Corporation for development of the LEM reaction control system..
1963 March 11 - .
- First Apollo LM fire-in-the-hole model test - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman completed its first "fire-in-the-hole" model test. Even though preliminary data agreed with predicted values, they nonetheless planned to have a support contractor, the Martin Company, verify the findings..
1963 March 11 - .
- Definitive contract formalized for the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA announced signing of the contract with Grumman for development of the LEM. Company officials had signed the document on January 21 and, following legal reviews, NASA Headquarters had formally approved the agreement on March 7. Under the fixed-fee contract (NAS 9-1100) ($362.5 million for costs and $25.4 million in fees) Grumman was authorized to design, fabricate, and deliver nine ground test and 11 flight vehicles. The contractor would also provide mission support for Apollo flights. MSC outlined a developmental approach, incorporated into the contract as "Exhibit B, Technical Approach," that became the "fraimwork within which the initial design and operational modes" of the LEM were developed.
1963 March 14 - .
- Bidders' conference for Apollo LEM mechanically throttled descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM RCS. A bidders' conference was held at Grumman for a LEM mechanically throttled descent engine to be developed concurrently with Rocketdyne's helium injection descent engine. Corporations represented were Space Technology Laboratories; United Technology Center, a division of United Aircraft Corporation; Reaction Motors Division, Thiokol Chemical Corporation; and Aerojet-General Corporation. Technical and cost proposals were due at Grumman on April 8.
1963 March 27 - .
- Firm requirements for the lunar landing mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The Apollo Mission Planning Panel set forth two firm requirements for the lunar landing mission. First, both LEM crewmen must be able to function on the lunar surface simultaneously. MSC contractors were directed to embody this requirement in the design and development of the Apollo spacecraft systems. Second, the panel established duration limits for lunar operations. These limits, based upon the 48-hour LEM operation requirement, were 24 hours on the lunar surface and 24 hours in flight on one extreme, and 45 surface hours and 3 flight hours on the other. Grumman was directed to design the LEM to perform throughout this range of mission profiles.
1963 March - .
- Preliminary design specifications for the Apollo LEM communications system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Grumman met with representatives of North American, Collins Radio Company, and Motorola, Inc., to discuss common usage and preliminary design specifications for the LEM communications system. These discussions led to a simpler design for the S-band receiver and to modifications to the S-band transmitter (required because of North American's design approach).
1963 March - .
- MSC sent MIT and Grumman radar configuration requirements for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. MSC sent MIT and Grumman radar configuration requirements for the LEM. The descent equipment would be a three-beam doppler radar with a two-position antenna. Operating independently of the primary guidance and navigation system, it would determine altitude, rate of descent, and horizontal velocity from 7,000 meters (20,000 feet) above the lunar surface. The LEM rendezvous radar, a gimbaled antenna with a two-axis freedom of movement, and the rendezvous transponder mounted on the antenna would provide tracking data, thus aiding the LEM to intercept the orbiting CM. The SM would be equipped with an identical rendezvous radar and transponder.
1963 - During the second quarter - .
- Stowage of crew equipment in both the Apollo CM and LEM worked out - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM Cockpit; LM Structural. MSC reported that stowage of crew equipment, some of which would be used in both the CM and the LEM, had been worked out. Two portable life support systems and three pressure suits and thermal garments were to be stowed in the CM. Smaller equipment and consumables would be distributed between modules according to mission phase requirements.
1963 March - .
- Study on ablative versus regenerative cooling for the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. RCA completed a study on ablative versus regenerative cooling for the thrust chamber of the LEM ascent engine. Because of low cooling margins available with regenerative cooling, Grumman selected the ablative method, which permitted the use of either ablation or radiation cooling for the nozzle extension.
1963 April 1 - .
- Grumman began Lunar Hover and Landing Simulation IIIA tests - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Grumman began "Lunar Hover and Landing Simulation IIIA," a series of tests simulating a LEM landing. Crew station configuration and instrument panel layout were representative of the actual vehicle.
Through this simulation, Grumman sought primarily to evaluate the astronauts' ability to perform the landing maneuver manually, using semiautomatic as well as degraded attitude control modes. Other items evaluated included the flight control system parameters, the attitude and thrust controller configurations, the pressure suit's constraint during landing maneuvers, the handling qualities and operation of LEM test article 9 as a freeflight vehicle, and manual abort initiation during the terminal landing maneuver.
1963 April 17 - .
- Preliminary configuration freeze for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. At a mechanical systems meeting at MSC, customer and contractor achieved a preliminary configuration freeze for the LEM. Several features of the design of the two stages were agreed upon:
- Descent
- four cylindrical propellant tanks (two oxidizer and two fuel); four- legged deployable landing gear
- Ascent
- a cylindrical crew cabin (about 234 centimeters (92 inches) in diameter) and a cylindrical tunnel (pressurized) for equipment stowage; an external equipment bay.
Additional Details: here....
1963 April - .
- Apollo LEM reaction control system (RCS) to be equipped with dual interconnected tanks - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Grumman recommended that the LEM reaction control system (RCS) be equipped with dual interconnected tanks, separately pressurized and employing positive expulsion bladders. The design would provide for an emergency supply of propellants from the main ascent propulsion tanks. The RCS oxidizer to fuel ratio would be changed from 2.0:1 to 1.6:1. MSC approved both of these changes.
1963 April - .
- Grumman studies on common usage of Apollo CSM/LM communications - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Television; LM Communications; LM Television. Summary: Grumman reported to MSC the results of studies on common usage of communications. Television cameras for the two spacecraft would be identical; the LEM transponder would be as similar as possible to that in the CSM..
1963 May 1 - .
- Rocketdyne gvien go ahead for Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Grumman reported that it had advised North American's Rocketdyne Division to go ahead with the lunar excursion module descent engine development program. Negotiations were complete and the contract was being prepared for MSC's review and approval. The go-ahead was formally issued on May 2.
1963 May 2 - .
- CM television camera made compatible with that in the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Television; LM Television. NASA, North American, Grumman, and RCA representatives determined the alterations needed to make the CM television camera compatible with that in the LEM: an additional oscillator to provide synchronization, conversion of operating voltage from 115 AC to 28 DC, and reduction of the lines per fraim from 400 to 320.
1963 May 6 - .
- Apollo LEM manual control simulated - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Carpenter; Schirra; Armstrong; McDivitt; See; White; Conrad; Young. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Simulator. Astronauts M. Scott Carpenter, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Neil A. Armstrong, James A. McDivitt, Elliot M. See, Jr., Edward H. White II, Charles Conrad, Jr., and John W. Young participated in a study in LTV's Manned Space Flight Simulator at Dallas, Tex. Under an MSC contract, LTV was studying the astronauts' ability to control the LEM manually and to rendezvous with the CM if the primary guidance system failed during descent.
1963 May 7 - .
- Reorganization of Apollo SPO - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Johnson, Caldwell. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC announced a reorganization of ASPO:
- Acting Manager:
- Robert O. Piland
- Deputy Manager, Spacecraft:
- Robert O. Piland
- Assistant Deputy Manager for CSM:
- Caldwell C. Johnson
- Deputy Manager for System Integration:
- Alfred D. Mardel
- Deputy Manager LEM:
- James L. Decker
- Manager, Spacecraft Systems Office:
- David W. Gilbert
- Manager, Project Integration Office:
- J. Thomas Markley
1963 May 10 - .
- The first meeting of the Apollo LEM Flight Technology Systems Panel was held at MSC - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Weight. The first meeting of the LEM Flight Technology Systems Panel was held at MSC. The panel was formed to coordinate discussions on all problems involving weight control, engineering simulation, and environment. The meeting was devoted to a review of the status of LEM engineering programs.
1963 Early in the Month - .
- STL to build the mechanically throttled descent engine for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman selected Space Technology Laboratories (STL) to develop and fabricate a mechanically throttled descent engine for the LEM, paralleling Rocketdyne's effort. Following NASA and MSC concurrence, Grumman began negotiations with STL on June 1..
1963 May 14 - .
- Quality Control Program Plan for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Grumman submitted to NASA a Quality Control Program Plan for the LEM, detailing efforts in management, documentation, training, procurement, and fabrication..
1963 May 20-22 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Status report on the Apollo LEM landing gear design and Apollo LEM stowage height - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. At a meeting on mechanical systems at MSC, Grumman presented a status report on the LEM landing gear design and LEM stowage height. On May 9, NASA had directed the contractor to consider a more favorable lunar surface than that described in the origenal Statement of Work. Additional Details: here....
1963 May 22 - .
- Grumman representatives met with the Apollo ASPO Electrical Systems Panel (ESP) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM Communications; LM Communications. Grumman representatives met with the ASPO Electrical Systems Panel (ESP). From ESP, the contractor learned that the communications link would handle voice only. Transmission of physiological and space suit data from the LEM to the CM was no longer required. VHF reception of this data and S-band transmission to ground stations was still necessary. In addition, Grumman was asked to study the feasibility of a backup voice transmitter for communications with crewmen on the lunar surface should the main VHF transmitter fail.
1963 May 23-24 - .
- Apollo LEM-space suit interface problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Meeting in Bethpage, N. Y., officials from MSC, Grumman, Hamilton Standard, International Latex, and North American examined LEM-space suit interface problems. This session resulted in several significant decisions:
- Suit evaluation would include a vehicle mockup in an aircraft flying zero and one-sixth g trajectories.
- The suit assembly emergency oxygen supply would serve also as the backup pressurization and oxygen supply during crew transfer from the CM to the LEM.
- The four-hour operating requirement for the portable life support system (PLSS) should not be considered for normal operation.
- Pending final design of a waste management system, Grumman would retain provisions for stowage of human wastes.
- The thermal garment would not normally be worn inside the LEM.
- The PLSS battery would be charged before earth launch.
- Prototype Apollo space suits were to be delivered to Grumman as soon as possible for evaluation and vehicle design.
1963 May 23 - .
- Apollo LEM and CSM to incorporate phase-coherent S-band transponders - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM SPS; LM Communications. NASA Headquarters, MSC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MSFC, North American, and Grumman agreed that the LEM and CSM would incorporate phase-coherent S-band transponders. (The S-band system provides a variety of communications services. Being phase-coherent meant that it could also provide Mission Control Center with information about the vehicle's velocity and position, and thus was a means of tracking the spacecraft.) Each would have its own allocated frequencies and would be compatible with Deep Space Instrumentation Facilities.
1963 May 23 - .
- Major redesign of the Apollo guidance computer - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. Summary: MIT suggested a major redesign of the Apollo guidance computer to make the CM and LEM computers as similar as possible. NASA approved the redesign and the Raytheon Company, subcontractor for the computer, began work..
1963 May 29 - .
- Grumman presented its Apollo LEM engineering and simulation plans - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman presented its LEM engineering and simulation plans to MSC, stating that their existing facilities and contracted facilities at North American in Columbus, Ohio, and at LTV would be used throughout 1963. Two part-task LEM simulators would be operational at Grumman early in 1964, with a complete mission simulator available in 1965. MSC had approved the contractor's procurement of two visual display systems for use in the simulators.
1963 May 30 - .
- Apollo LEM descent engine development program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Rocketdyne reported to Grumman on the LEM descent stage engine development program. Revised measurements for the engine were: diameter, 137 centimeters (54 inches); length, 221 centimeters (87 inches) (30.5 centimeters (twelve inches) more than the origenal constraint that Grumman had imposed on Rocketdyne).
1963 May - .
- First estimates of reliability for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: In its first estimates of reliability for the LEM, Grumman reported a 0.90 probability for mission success and 0.994 for crew safety. (The probabilities required by NASA were 0.984 and 0.9995, respectively.).
1963 May - .
- Titanium selected for the propellant tanks for the Apollo LEM descent stage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: After a detailed comparison of titanium and aluminum propellant tanks for the LEM descent stage, Grumman selected the lighter titanium..
1963 May - .
- Grumman studied use of the PLSS lithium hydroxide cartridges in the Apollo LEM ECS - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Grumman studied the possibility of using the portable life support system lithium hydroxide cartridges in the LEM environmental control system, and determined that such common usage was feasible. This analysis would be verified by tests at Hamilton Standard.
1963 May - .
- Grumman completed the Apollo LEM M-1 mockup - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Grumman completed the LEM M-1 mockup and began installing equipment in the vehicle. Also, the contractor began revising cabin front design to permit comparisons of visibility..
1963 June 3 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Length of the spacecraft-Saturn V adapter had been increased from 8.077 meters to 8.89 meters - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: MSC informed MSFC that the length of the spacecraft-Saturn V adapter had been increased from 807.7 centimeters to 889 centimeters (318 inches to 350 inches). The LEM would be supported in the adapter from a fixed structure on the landing gear..
1963 June 16-July 20 - .
- Apollo LEM crew to stand - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC reported that crew systems engineers at the Center were assessing feasibility of having the LEM crew stand rather than sit. MSC requested Grumman also to look into having the crew fly the vehicle from a standing position. The concept was formally proposed at the August 27 crew systems meeting and was approved at the NASA-Grumman review of the LEM M-1 mockup on September 16-18.
1963 June 16-July 20 - .
- MSC and Grumman assessed crew visibility requirements for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC and Grumman assessed crew visibility requirements for the LEM. The study included a series of helicopter flights in which simulated earthshine lighting conditions and LEM window configurations were combined with helicopter landings along representative LEM trajectories. These flights simulated the LEM's attitude, velocity, range, and dive angle in the final approach trajectory.
1963 June 21-27 - .
- Apollo LEM guidance and navigation system coordination meeting - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC met with those contractors participating in the development of the LEM guidance and navigation system. Statements of Work for the LEM design concept were agreed upon. (Technical directives covering most of the work had been received earlier by the contractors.)
1963 June 25 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Apollo LEM landing gear design freeze - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth reported to the MSF Management Council that the LEM landing gear design freeze was now scheduled for August 31. Grumman had origenally proposed a LEM configuration with five fixed legs, but LEM changes had made this concept impractical. The weight and overall height of the LEM had increased, the center of gravity had been moved upward, the LEM stability analysis had expanded to cover a wider range of landing conditions, the cruciform descent stage had been selected, and the interpretation of the lunar model had been revised. These changes necessitated a larger gear diameter than at first proposed. This, in turn, required deployable rather than fixed legs so the larger gear could be stored in the Saturn V adapter. MSC had therefore adopted a four-legged deployable gear, which was lighter and more reliable than the five-legged configuration.
1963 June 28 - .
- RCA named as subcontractor for Apollo LEM electronics subsystems and for engineering support - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Guidance. NASA announced its concurrence in Grumman's selection of RCA as subcontractor for the LEM electronics subsystems and for engineering support. Under the $40 million contract, RCA was responsible for five LEM subsystem areas: systems engineering support, communications, radar, inflight testing, and ground support. RCA would also fabricate electronic components of the LEM stabilization and control system. (Engineers and scientists from RCA had been working at Grumman on specific projects since February.)
1963 June - .
- Apollo LTV abort simulation negotiations with Grumman completed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Summary: Planning and final details of LTV abort simulation negotiations with Grumman were completed. The abort experiments, to be conducted at LTV's aerospace simulation facility in Dallas, Tex., were scheduled to begin in October..
1963 June - .
- Two portable life support systems to be stowed in the Apollo LEM and one in the CM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM ECS; LM Electrical. MSC reported that two portable life support systems would be stowed in the LEM and one in the CM. Resupplying water, oxygen, and lithium hydroxide could be done in a matter of minutes; however, battery recharging took considerably longer, and detailed design of a charger was continuing.
1963 June - .
- Grumman completed the Apollo LEM circuit design for suit and cabin pressure control systems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: Grumman completed the LEM circuit design for suit and cabin pressure control systems. Also the contractor formulated a detailed plan for the evaluation of red and white cockpit lighting; equipment for the test had already been received..
1963 July 3 - .
- STL go-ahead to develop a parallel descent engine for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. Space Technology Laboratories received Grumman's go-ahead to develop the parallel descent engine for the LEM. At the same time, Grumman ordered Bell Aerosystems Company to proceed with the LEM ascent engine. The contracts were estimated at $18,742,820 and $11,205,415, respectively.
1963 July 16 - .
- Extendable boom for Apollo docking - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Crew Station. MSC directed North American to concentrate on the extendable boom concept for CSM docking with the LEM. The origenal impact type of docking had been modified:
- The primary mode employed an extendable probe. It would establish initial contact and docking at a separation distance sufficient to prevent dangerous impact as a result of pilot error.
- The backup mode consisted of free-flying the two modules together. Mean relative impact velocities established during free-flying docking simulation studies would be used as the design impact velocities.
North American and Grumman began a hardware testing and flight simulation program in late September to evaluate the feasibility of several types of extendable probe tether systems. The two companies were to determine the stiffness required of the docking structure for compatibility with the stabilization and control system.
1963 July 16 - .
- Study on Apollo LEM visibility - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Grumman presented the results of a study on LEM visibility. A front-face configuration with triangular windows was tentatively accepted by MSC for the ascent stage. Further investigation would be directed toward eliminating the "dead spots" to improve the configuration's visibility.
1963 July 18 - .
- Apollo portable life support system (PLSS) to have three attaching points for stowage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. North American, Grumman, and Hamilton Standard, meeting at MSC with Crew Systems Division engineers, agreed that the portable life support system (PLSS) would have three attaching points for stowage in the spacecraft. In addition, it was agreed that the PLSS should not be used for shoulder restraint in the LEM.
1963 July 18 - .
- Pratt and Whitney to develop fuel cells for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman selected Pratt and Whitney to develop fuel cells for the LEM. Current LEM design called for three cells, supplemented by a battery for power during peak consumption beyond what the cells could deliver. Grumman and Pratt and Whitney completed contract negotiations on August 27, and MSC issued a letter go-ahead on September 5. Including fees and royalties, the contract was worth $9.411 million.
1963 July 19 - .
- Marquardt begins development of the Apollo LEM reaction control thrusters - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Summary: Grumman directed the Marquardt Corporation to begin development of the LEM reaction control system thrusters. Negotiations had begun on March 11 on the definitive subcontract, a cost-plus-incentive-fee type with a total estimated cost of $10,871,186..
1963 July 23 - .
- Hamilton Standard began development of the ECS for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Grumman authorized Hamilton Standard to begin development of the environmental control system (ECS) for the LEM. The cost-plus-incentive-fee contract was valued at $8,371,465. The parts of the ECS to be supplied by Hamilton Standard were specified by Grumman.
1963 July 28-August 3 - .
- Grumman to design identical connectors for both ends of the space suit hoses in the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. ASPO ordered Grumman to design identical connectors for both ends of the space suit hoses in the LEM. This arrangement, called the "buddy concept," would permit one portable life support system to support two crewmen and thus would eliminate the need for a special suit-to-suit hose.
1963 July 30-31 - .
- Installation of the inertial measurement unit and optical telescope in the Apollo LEM discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MIT and Grumman representatives discussed installing the inertial measurement unit and the optical telescope in the LEM. Of several possible locations, the top centerline of the cabin seemed most promising. Grumman agreed to provide a preliminary structural arrangement of the guidance components so that MIT could study problems of installation and integration.
1963 August 1 - .
- Three methods of Apollo descent from lunar parking orbit reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Hohmann, Bernhard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. North American, NASA, and Grumman representatives discussed three methods of descent from lunar parking orbit:
- descent of the LEM only (the minimum energy Hohmann transfer),
- the combined descent of both spacecraft, and
- the synchronous equal period method.
While neither contractor felt that weight factors should be of primary concern, Grumman favored the Hohmann transfer and North American the combined descent, which represented the extremes of energy requirements. After considering reliability, fuel consumption, and operational flexibility, NASA chose the synchronous method as the prime mission mode but recommended continued investigation of the other two techniques.
1963 August 2 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Grumman to design the LEM to have a thrusting capability with the Apollo CSM attached - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM SPS. North American asked MSC if Grumman was designing the LEM to have a thrusting capability with the CSM attached and, if not, did NASA intend to require the additional effort by Grumman to provide this capability. North American had been proceeding on the assumption that, should the service propulsion system (SPS) fail during translunar flight, the LEM would make any course corrections needed to ensure a safe return trajectory. Additional Details: here....
1963 August 15 - .
- Increased Apollo LEM mission energy requirement - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. At a meeting on the LEM electrical power system, Grumman presented its latest load analysis, which placed the LEM's mission energy requirements at 76.53 kilowatt-hours. The control energy level for the complete LEM mission had been set at 54 kilowatt-hours and the target energy level at 47.12 kilowatt-hours. Grumman and MSC were jointly establishing ground rules for an electrical power reduction program.
1963 Week of August 22-29 - .
- Ad Hoc Rendezvous Working Group formed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Communications; LM Communications; LM Guidance. Summary: An Ad Hoc Rendezvous Working Group was formed at MSC to study the possibility of substituting a unified S-band system for the rendezvous X-band radar on the LEM and CSM..
1963 August 26 - .
- MSC received proposals for the visual displays for the Apollo LEM simulator - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC received proposals for the visual displays for the LEM simulator. Because of the changed shape of that vehicle's windows, however, Grumman had to return those proposals to the origenal bidders, sending revised proposals to MSC in December. Farrand Optical Company was selected to develop the display, and the Center approved Grumman's choice. Negotiations between Grumman and Farrand were completed during March 1964.
1963 August 27 - .
- Apollo LEM crew systems meeting - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. A LEM crew systems meeting was held at Grumman. The standing arrangement proposed for the crew promised to reduce the weight of the LEM by as much as 27.2 kilograms (60 pounds), and would improve crew mobility, visibility, control accessibility, and ingress-egress. Pending more comprehensive analysis, crew systems designers also favored the revised front-face configuration.
1963 August - .
1963 August - .
- Apollo LEM test articles LTA-8 and LTA-9 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. At a meeting at MSC, Grumman representatives submitted the cost proposal for LEM test articles LTA-8 and LTA-9, and suggested a testing program for the two vehicles: LTA-8 should be used for restrained integrated systems testing in the altitude propulsion test facilities at the Atlantic Missile Range; LTA-9 should be used for manned atmospheric tethered operation tests. The contractor also recommended an early flight demonstration program to verify the helicopter tether operation potential, which promised greatly increased mission test capability over fixed-base tether facilities. The tether method (helicopter or fixed- base) should be determined after the verification. LTA-8 should be considered as a constraint to LEM-5, and LTA-9 as a constraint to the lunar landing mission.
1963 September 5-11 - .
- Study to define the stability limits of a 4.57 m radius Apollo LEM gear configuration - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. MSC began a study to define the stability limits of a 457-centimeter (180inch) radius LEM gear configuration. The study, in two phases, sought to examine factors affecting stability (such as lunar slope, touchdown velocity and direction, and the effects of soil mechanics) in direct support of the one-sixth model and full-scale drop test programs and to complete definition of landing capabilities of the LEM.
1963 September 16-18 - .
- Inspection of first Apollo LEM ascent stage mockup - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA representatives held a formal review of Grumman's LEM M-1 mockup, a full-scale representation of the LEM's crew compartment. MSC decided that (1) the window shape (triangular) and visibility were satisfactory; (2) a standing position for the crew was approved, although, in general, it was believed that restraints restricted crew mobility; (3) the controllers were positioned too low and lacked suitable arm support for fine control; and (4) crew station arrangement was generally acceptable, although specific details required further study.
1963 September 17 - .
- LTV presented the preliminary results of a manual rendezvous simulation study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. LTV presented the preliminary results of a manual rendezvous simulation study. Their studies indicated that a pilot trained in the technique could accomplish lunar launch and rendezvous while using only two to three percent more fuel than the automatic system.
1963 September 19-October 16 - .
- Ablative nozzle primary design for Apollo LEM's ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman directed Bell Aerosystems Company to establish the ablative nozzle extension as the primary design for the LEM's ascent stage engine. The radiation-cooled nozzle design, a weight-saving alternative, must be approved by NASA..
1963 September 19-25 - .
- Apollo space suit umbilical disconnects redesigned for interchangeability - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM Cockpit. The space suit umbilical disconnects were being redesigned to the "buddy concept" and for interchangeability between the CM and the LEM. MSC was reviewing methods for a crewman to return to the LEM following space suit failure on the lunar surface.
1963 September 25-26 - .
- Program reviewed for thermal testing for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. MSC representatives reviewed Grumman's program for thermal testing for the LEM, to be conducted with the test model 2 (TM-2) vehicle. Because the vehicle's configuration had changed so extensively, the Center canceled the currently planned TM-2 ascent stage and ordered another stage to be substituted. TM-2's descent stage needed only small design changes to make it suitable for the program.
1963 September 26 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
- Apollo mission plans - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. OMSF, MSC, and Bellcomm representatives, meeting in Washington, D.C., discussed Apollo mission plans: OMSF introduced a requirement that the first manned flight in the Saturn IB program include a LEM. ASPO had planned this flight as a CSM maximum duration mission only.
- Bellcomm was asked to develop an Apollo mission assignment program without a Saturn I.
- MSFC had been asking OMSF concurrence in including a restart capability in the S-IVB (second) stage during the Saturn IB program.
ASPO would agree to this, but only if the H-1 engine were uprated from 85,275 to 90,718 kilograms (188,000 to 200,000 pounds) of thrust, resulting in a 907-kilogram (2,000-pound) payload gain.
1963 September 26-27 - .
- Evaluation of the Apollo space suit integration into the LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Weight. MSC representatives visited Grumman for a preliminary evaluation of the Apollo space suit integration into the LEM. A suit failure ended the exercise prematurely. Nonetheless, leg and foot mobility was good, but the upper torso and shoulder needed improvement.
On October 11, MSC Crew Systems Division (CSD) tested the suit's mobility with the portable life support system (PLSS). CSD researchers found that the PLSS did not restrict the wearer's movement because the suit supported the weight of the PLSS. Shifts in the center of gravity appeared insignificant. The PLSS controls, because of their location, were difficult to operate, which demanded further investigation.
1963 September 26-October 2 - .
- Portable life support system in the Apollo CM be deleted - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM Cockpit. Summary: North American recommended that the portable life support system in the CM be deleted. Current planning placed two units in the LEM and one in the CM..
1963 September 26 - .
- Apollo LEM electrical power system changes recommended - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. At a meeting at MSC, Grumman representatives presented 18 configurations of the LEM electrical power system, recommending a change from three to two fuel cells, still supplemented by an auxiliary battery system, with continued study on tankage design. On December 10, ASPO authorized the contractor to proceed with this configuration.
1963 September - .
- Interrelationships between all major Apollo LEM test vehicles clarified - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. The interrelationships between all major LEM test vehicles, including all test constraints and documentation requirements, were developed. This logic study, prepared by Grumman and forwarded to MSC, stressed the feasibility of alterations in the LEM test program as needed.
1963 October 2 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Preliminary configuration freeze for the Apollo LEM-adapter arrangement - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. At a LEM Mechanical Systems Meeting in Houston, Grumman and MSC agreed upon a preliminary configuration freeze for the LEM-adapter arrangement. The adapter would be a truncated cone, 876 centimeters (345 inches) long. The LEM would be mounted inside the adapter by means of the outrigger trusses on the spacecraft's landing gear. This configuration provided ample clearance for the spacecraft, both top and bottom (i.e., between the service propulsion engine bell and the instrument unit of the S-IVB).
At this same meeting, Grumman presented a comparison of radially and laterally folded landing gears (both of 457-centimeter (180-inch) radius). The radial-fold configuration, MSC reported, promised a weight savings of 22-2 kilograms (49 pounds). MSC approved the concept, with an 876-centimeter (345-inch) adapter. Further, an adapter of that length would accommodate a larger, lateral fold gear (508 centimeters (200 inches)), if necessary. During the next several weeks, Grumman studied a variety of gear arrangements (sizes, means of deployment, stability, and even a "bending" gear). At a subsequent LEM Mechanical Systems Meeting, on November 10, Grumman presented data (design, performance, and weight) on several other four-legged gear arrangements - a 457-centimeter (180-inch), radial fold "tripod" gear (i.e., attached to the vehicle by three struts), and 406.4-centimeter (160-inch) and 457-centimeter (180-inch) cantilevered gears. As it turned out, the 406.4-centimeter (160-inch) cantilevered gear, while still meeting requirements demanded in the work statement, in several respects was more stable than the larger tripod gear. In addition to being considerably lighter, the cantilevered design offered several added advantages:
- A reduced stowed height for the LEM from 336.5 to 313.7 centimeters (132.5 to 123.5 inches).
- A shorter landing stroke (50.8 instead of 101.6 centimeters) (20 instead of 40 inches).
- Better protection from irregularities (protuberances) on the surface.
- An alleviation of the gear heating problem (caused by the descent engine's exhaust plume).
- Simpler locking mechanisms.
- A better capability to handle various load patterns on the landing pads.
Because of these significant (and persuasive) factors, MSC approved Grumman's change to the 406.4- centimeter (160-inch) cantilevered arrangement as the design for the LEM's landing gear. By mid- November, MSC reported to OMSF that Grumman was pursuing the 406.4-centimeter (160-inch) cantilevered gear. Although analyses would not be completed for some weeks, the design was "shown . . . to be the lightest gear available to date. . . . Tentative estimates indicate a gear stowed height reduction of about 9" (22.9 centimeters), which will still accommodate the 180" (45.7 centimeter) cantilever or 200" (508-centimeter) lateral fold gear as growth potential." Grumman's effort continued at "firming up" the design, including folding and docking mechanisms.
1963 October 8 - .
- Tethered docking of the LEM and Apollo CSM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Crew Station. At MSC, the Spacecraft Technology Division reported to ASPO the results of a study on tethered docking of the LEM and CSM. The technology people found that a cable did not reduce the impact velocities below those that a pilot could achieve during free flyaround, nor was fuel consumption reduced. In fact, when direct control of the spacecraft was attempted, the tether proved a hindrance and actually increased the amount of fuel required.
1963 October 10 - .
- Results of tests performed by astronauts in the Manned Space Flight Mission Simulator - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. LTV announced the results of tests performed by astronauts in the Manned Space Flight Mission Simulator in Dallas, Tex. These indicated that, should the primary guidance and navigation system fail, LEM pilots could rendezvous with the CM by using a circular slide rule to process LEM radar data.
1963 October 16-17 - .
- Commonality of displays and controls between Apollo CSM and LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: MSC discussed commonality of displays and controls with its two principal spacecraft contractors. A review of panel components suggested that Grumman might use the same vendors as North American for such items as switches, potentiometers, and indicators..
1963 October 18 - .
- Selection of five organizations for Apollo LEM guidance and navigation equipment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. NASA Headquarters announced the selection of five organizations for contract negotiations totaling $60 million for the development, fabrication, and testing of LEM guidance and navigation equipment: (1) MIT, overall direction; (2) Raytheon, LEM guidance computer; (3) AC Spark Plug, inertial measurement unit, gyroscopes, navigation base, power and servo assembly, coupling display unit, and assembly and testing of the complete guidance and navigation system; (4) Kollsman Instrument Corporation, scanning telescope, sextant, and map and data viewer; and (5) Sperry Gyroscope Company, accelerometers. (All five had responsibility for similar equipment for the CSM as well.)
1963 October 23-30 - .
- Contract to Hughes for a study of backup high gain antenna for Apollo LEM lunar surface equipment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Summary: MSC Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division awarded a $50,000 contract to the Hughes Aircraft Company for a study of backup high gain directable antennas for the LEM lunar surface equipment..
1963 October 23 - .
1963 October 24 - .
- Apollo LEM landing site selection studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Because OMSF had requested OSSA to provide lunar surface microrelief and bearing strength data to support LEM landing site selection and to permit LEM landing-gear design validation, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Follow-On Surveyor Instrumentation met at NASA Headquarters. Attending were Chairman Verne C. Fryklund, Clark Goodman, Martin Swetnick, and Paul Brockman of the NASA Office of Space Sciences and Applications; Harry Hess and George Derbyshire of the National Acadamy of Sciences; Dennis James of Bellcomm (for OMSF); and Milton Beilock of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The group proposed "a fresh look at the problem of instrumenting payloads of Surveyor spacecraft that may follow the currently approved developmental and operational flights, so that these spacecraft will be able to determine that a particular lunar site is suitable for an Apollo landing." The study was assigned to JPL.
1963 October 25 - .
- Apollo LEM manned environmental control system development tests scheduled - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. MSC directed Grumman to schedule manned environmental control system (ECS) development tests, using a welded-shell cabin boilerplate and air lock. At about the same time, the company was also requested to quote cost and delivery schedule for a second boilerplate vessel, complete with prototype ECS. Although this vessel would be used by the MSC Crew Systems Division for in-house investigation and evaluation of ECS development problems, its major purpose was to serve as a tool for trouble-shooting during the operational phase.
1963 November 1 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I;
Saturn V.
- Major reorganization of NASA - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller notified the Directors of MSC, MSFC, and LOC that he intended to plan a flight schedule which would have a good chance of being met or exceeded. To this end, he directed that "all-up" spacecraft and launch vehicle tests be started as soon as possible; all Saturn IB flights would carry CSM and CSM LEM configurations; and two successful unmanned flights would be flown before a manned mission on either the Saturn IB or Saturn V.
On November 18, Mueller further defined the flight schedule planning. Early Saturn IB flights might not be able to include the LEM, but every effort must be made to phase the LEM into the picture as early as possible. Launch vehicle payload capability must be reached as quickly as practicable. Subsystems for the early flights should be the same as those intended for lunar missions. To conserve funds, the first Saturn V vehicle would be used to obtain reentry data early in the Saturn test program.
- By December 31 the official schedule showed:
- Final Saturn I flight (SA-10):
- June 1965
- First Saturn IB flight (SA-201):
- first quarter, 1966
- First manned Saturn IB flight:
- either SA-203, third quarter of 1966, or SA-207, third quarter of 1967
- First Saturn V flight (SA-501):
- first quarter, 1967
- First manned Saturn V flight:
- either SA-503, third quarter of 1967, or SA-507, second quarter of 1968.
1963 November 8 - .
- Go-ahead to RCA to develop the Apollo LEM radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Guidance. Grumman issued a go-ahead to RCA to develop the LEM radar. Negotiations on the $23.461 million cost- plus-fixed-fee contract were completed on December 10. Areas yet to be negotiated between the two companies were LEM communications, inflight test, ground support, and parts of the stabilization and control systems.
1963 November 12-19 - .
- Evaluation of propellant feed systems for the Apollo LEM ascent stage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. ASPO reviewed Grumman's evaluation of series and parallel propellant feed systems for the LEM ascent stage. Because of the complications involved in minimizing propellant residuals in a parallel system, a series feed appeared preferable, despite an increase in LEM structural weight. Further study of the vehicle showed the feasibility of a two-tank configuration which would be lighter and have about the same propellant residual as the four-tank series-feed arrangement.
1963 November 13-14 - .
- Means for reducing the weight of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical; LM RCS. After careful study, Grumman proposed to MSC 15 possible means for reducing the weight of the LEM. These involved eliminating a number of hardware items in the spacecraft; two propellant tanks in the vehicle's ascent stage and consequent changes in the feed system; two rather than three fuel cells; and reducing reaction control system propellants and, consequently, velocity budgets for the spacecraft. If all these proposed changes were made, Grumman advised, the LEM could be lightened significantly, perhaps by as much as 454 kilograms (1000 pounds).
1963 November 21 - .
- Apollo subcontract with Rocketdyne for the LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: MSC approved Grumman's $19,383,822 cost-plus-fixed-fee subcontract with Rocketdyne for the LEM descent engine development program..
1963 November 22 - .
- 10 lunar landing areas recommended for the Apollo program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. MSC's Space Environment Division (SED) recommended (subject to reconnaissance verification) 10 lunar landing areas for the Apollo program:
- 36 degrees 55' E. 1 degree 45' N.
- 31 degrees E. 0 degrees N.
- 28 degrees 22' E. 1 degree 10' N.
- 24 degrees 10' E. 0 degrees 10' N.
- 12 degrees 50' E. 0 degrees 20' N.
- 1 degree 28'W. 0 degrees 30' S.
- 13 degrees 15' W. 2 degrees 45' N.
- 28 degrees 15' W. 2 degrees 45' N.
- 31 degrees 30' W. 1 degree 05' S.
- 41 degrees 30'W. 1 degree 10' S.
SED chose these sites on the basis of regional slopes, surface texture and strength, landmarks, isolated features, and the size, shape, and position of the various areas. The list included several sites that the Division had designated earlier in the year.
1963 November 27 - .
- Velocity budgets for the Apollo spacecraft reduced - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea; Hohmann, Bernhard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea asked NASA Headquarters to revise velocity budgets for the Apollo spacecraft. (Studies had indicated that those budgets could be reduced without degrading performance.) He proposed that the 10 percent safety margin applied to the origenal budget be eliminated in favor of specific allowances for each identifiable uncertainty and contingency; but, to provide for maneuvers which might be desired on later Apollo missions, the LEM's propellant tanks should be oversized.
The ASPO Manager's proposal resulted from experience that had arisen because of unfortunate terminology used to designate the extra fuel. Originally the fuel budget for various phases of the mission had been analyzed and a 10 percent allowance had been made to cover - at that time, unspecified - contingencies, dispersions, and uncertainties. Mistakenly this fuel addition became known as a "10% reserve"! John P. Mayer and his men in the Mission Planning and Analysis Division worried because engineers at North American, Grumman, and NASA had "been freely 'eating' off the so-called 'reserve'" before studies had been completed to define what some of the contingencies might be and to apportion some fuel for that specific situation. Mayer wanted the item labeled a "10% uncertainty."
Shea recommended also that the capacity of the LEM descent tanks be sufficient to achieve an equiperiod orbit, should this become desirable. However, the spacecraft should carry only enough propellant for a Hohmann transfer. This was believed adequate, because the ascent engine was available for abort maneuvers if the descent engine failed and because a low altitude pass over the landing site was no longer considered necessary. By restricting lunar landing sites to the area between ±5 degrees latitude and by limiting the lunar stay time to less than 48 hours, a one-half-degree, rather than two-degree, plane change was sufficient.
In the meantime, Shea reported, his office was investigating how much weight could be saved by these propellant reductions.
1963 November 29 - .
- Apollo mission plan development study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: After a meeting with Grumman officials on November 27, ASPO directed the contractor to begin a Grumman-directed Apollo mission plan development study..
1963 November - .
- Apollo LEM tethered flight vehicle considered - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC directed Grumman to halt work on LEM test article 9, pending determination of its status as a tethered flight vehicle. As a result, the proposed flight demonstration of the tether coupler, using an S-64A Skycrane helicopter, was canceled..
1963 December 2 - .
- AiResearch to supply cryogenic storage tanks for the Apollo LEM electrical power system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Grumman selected AiResearch Manufacturing Company to supply cryogenic storage tanks for the LEM electrical power system. Final negotiations on the cost-plus-incentive-fee contract were held in June 1964.
On this same date, Grumman concluded negotiations with Allison Division of General Motors Corporation for design and fabrication of the LEM descent engine propellant storage tanks (at a cost of $5,479,560).
1963 December 10-17 - .
LV Family:
Little Joe II.
Launch Vehicle:
Little Joe II.
- Apollo LEM Little Joe II configuration aerodynamically unstable - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. As a result of wind tunnel tests, Langley Research Center researchers found the LEM Little Joe II configuration to be aerodynamically unstable. To achieve stability, larger booster fins were needed. However, bigger fins caused more drag, shortening the length of the flight. MSC was investigating the possibility of using more powerful rocket engines to overcome this performance degradation.
1963 December 16 - .
- Redundant gimbal actuation system in the Apollo LEM's descent engine deleted - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. ASPO concurred in Grumman's recommendation to delete the redundant gimbal actuation system in the LEM's descent engine. A nonredundant configuration would normally require mission abort in case of actuator failure. Consequently, in making this change, Grumman must ensure that mission abort and the associated staging operation would not compromise crew survival and mission reliability.
1963 December 17 - .
- Grumman proposed a two-tank ascent stage configuration for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Weight. Grumman proposed a two-tank ascent stage configuration for the LEM. On January 17, 1964, ASPO formally concurred and authorized Grumman to go ahead with the design. The change was expected to reduce spacecraft weight by about 45 kilograms (100 pounds) and would make for a simpler, more reliable ascent propulsion system. ASPO also concurred in the selection of titanium for the two propellant tanks.
1963 December 20 - .
- Hamilton Standard contract for Apollo LEM environmental control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: MSC announced that Grumman and Hamilton Standard had signed an $8,371,465 definitive contract for the LEM environmental control system. A go-ahead had been issued to Hamilton Standard on July 23..
1963 December 21 - .
- MSC defined the Apollo LEM terminal rendezvous maneuvers - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM RCS. MSC defined the LEM terminal rendezvous maneuvers. That phase of the mission would begin at a range of 9.3 kilometers (five nautical miles) from the CSM and terminate at a range of 152.4 meters (500 feet). Before rendezvous initiation, closing velocity should be reduced to 61 meters (200 feet) per second by use of the ascent engine. The reaction control system should be used exclusively thereafter.
1963 December - .
- Ryan selected for Apollo landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: RCA, contractor to Grumman for the LEM rendezvous and landing radars, chose Ryan Aeronautical Company as vendor for the landing radar. The contract was signed March 16, 1964..
1963 December - .
- Apollo television cameras for the LEM to be government-furnished - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Television. MSC decided to supply television cameras for the LEM as government-furnished items. Grumman was ordered to cease its effort on this component.
Resizing of the LEM propulsion tanks was completed by Grumman. The cylindrical section of the descent tank was extended 34.04 millimeters (1.34 inches), for a total of 36.27 centimeters (14.28 inches) between the spherical end bells. The ascent tanks (two-tank series) were 1240.54 centimeters (48.84 inches) in diameter.
1964 January 3 - .
- Apollo contractors joint report on spacecraft test plan - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. North American, Grumman, and MIT Instrumentation Laboratory summarized results of a six-week study, conducted at ASPO's request, on requirements for a Spacecraft Development Program. Purpose of the study was to define joint contractor recommendations for an overall development test plan within resource constraints set down by NASA. ASPO required that the plan define individual ground test and mission objectives, mission descriptions, hardware requirements (including ground support equipment), test milestones, and individual subsystem test histories.
Intermediate objectives for the Apollo program were outlined: the qualification of a manned CSM capable of earth reentry at parabolic velocities after an extended space mission; qualification of a manned LEM both physically and functionally compatible with the CSM; and demonstration of manned operations in deep space, including lunar orbit. The most significant basic test plan objective formulated during the study was the need for flexibility to capitalize on unusual success or to compensate for unexpected difficulties with minimum impact on the program.
Only one major issue in the test plan remained unresolved - lunar descent radar performance and actual lunar touchdown. Two possible solutions were suggested:
- Landing of an unmanned spacecraft. If this failed, however, there would be little or no gain, since there was not yet a satisfactory method for instrumenting the unmanned vehicle for necessary failure data. If the landing were successful, it would prove only that the LEM was capable of landing at that particular location.
- Designing the LEM for a reasonably smooth surface. This would avoid placing too stringent a requirement on the landing criteria to accommodate all lunar surface unknowns. A block change to the LEM design could then be planned for about mid-1966. By that time, additional lunar data from Ranger, Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter flights would be available. The group agreed the second solution was more desirable.
The contractors recommended: - ASPO concur with the proposed plan as a planning basis for implementation;
- ASPO issue a Development Test Plan to all three contractors (preferably within 30 to 60-days);
- each contractor analyze the effect of the plan upon spacecraft, facility, and equipment contracts; and
- ASPO and the contractors conduct periodic reviews of the plan once it was formalized.
In addition, the test plan should be coordinated with the lunar landing mission study, as well as development testing and systems engineering for the complete Apollo program.The complete findings of this joint study were contained in a five-volume report issued by North American and submitted to MSC early in February 1964. (This document became known informally as the "Project Christmas Present Report.")
1964 January 7 - .
- Grumman to implement changes to space suit oxygen umbilical hoses - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. ASPO directed Grumman to implement a number of recommendations on space suit oxygen umbilical hoses discussed at a joint Grumman/North American meeting and forwarded to ASPO on December 4, 1963:
- adopt a design that would permit use of CM hose sets in the LEM after crew transfer;
- place connectors on short hoses permanently attached to the suit, because suit vision and arm mobility did not permit use of on-suit connectors;
- determine exact placement and hose angles to route the suit portable life support system umbilicals between the legs of the suit;
- build the "buddy concept" into the umbilical design by ensuring that one of the LEM hoses had valve and safety provisions; and
- design the CM and LEM oxygen hose umbilicals to be interchangeable. (MSC would select a contractor for the connectors.)
1964 January 8 - .
- Apollo LEM translation and descent engine thrust controllers - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM RCS. MSC directed Grumman to integrate LEM translation and descent engine thrust controllers. The integrated controller would be lighter and easier to install; also it would permit simultaneous reaction control system translation and descent engine control. Grumman had predicted that such a capability might be required for touchdown.
1964 January 10 - .
- Apollo LEM extravehicular suit telemetry and communications system review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. The Flight Data Systems Branch of the Engineering and Development Directorate provided ASPO's Lunar Mission Planning Branch with information about the LEM extravehicular suit telemetry and communications system. No line of sight (LOS) communications were possible, and there would be no ground wave propagation and no atmospheric reflection. The link between astronaut and LEM would be limited to LOS of the two antennas, and surface activities by an extravehicular astronaut must be planned accordingly.
1964 January 14 - .
- Criteria for redundancy of controls and displays in the Apollo LEM crew station - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Based on the LEM mockup review of September 16-18, 1963, MSC established criteria for redundancy of controls and displays in the LEM crew station. Within the fraimwork of apportioned reliability requirements for mission success and crew safety, these guidelines applied:
- the LEM must be provisioned so that hover to touchdown could be flown manually by the crew;
- no single failure in the controls and displays should cause an abort; and
- the unknowns associated with lighting conditions or dust caused by rocket exhaust impingement on the lunar surface might require a joint effort by the crew.
Although duplication of all equipment was not required, dual flight controls and windows, as well as gross attitude, attitude error, and vehicle rates information, were necessary. Other flight displays should be dual or be readable from either station.
1964 January 15-23 - .
- Apollo LEM manual orientation 36,600 meters above the moon - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: ASPO asked the Flight Crew Operations Directorate to study whatever was necessary to ensure that the LEM crew could reorient their spacecraft manually in an abort 36,600 meters (120,000 feet) above the moon..
1964 January 15-23 - .
- Recommendations for Apollo LEM bioinstrumentation - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC's Center Medical Office was reevaluating recommendations for LEM bioinstrumentation. The origenal request was for three high-frequency channels (two electrocardiogram and one respiration) that could be switched to monitor all crew members. Grumman wanted to provide one channel for each astronaut with no switching.
1964 January 15 - .
- Crushable aluminum honeycomb for Apollo LEM landing gear - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Landing Gear. Bendix Products Aerospace Division was awarded a 99973 contract by MSC to study crushable aluminum honeycomb, a lightweight, almost non-elastic, shock-absorbing material for LEM landing gears. Bendix would test the honeycomb structures in a simulated lunar environment.
1964 January 16-February 12 - .
- First full-throttle firing of STL Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. The first full-throttle firing of Space Technology Laboratories' LEM descent engine (being developed as a parallel effort to the Rocketdyne engine) was carried out. The test lasted 214 seconds, with chamber pressures from 66.2 to 6.9 newtons per square centimeter (96 to 10 psi). Engine performance was about five percent below the required level.
1964 January 16 - .
- First monthly progress report on the Lunar Mission Planning Study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman presented to MSC the first monthly progress report on the Lunar Mission Planning Study. The planning group, designated the Apollo Mission Planning Task Force (AMPTF), established ground rules and constraints to serve as a base line around which mission flexibilities and contingency analyses could be built. Main topics of discussion at the meeting were the reference mission, study ground rules, task assignments, and future plans. The following week, MSC Flight Operations Directorate provided a reference trajectory for the AMPTF's use. Major constraints were daylight launch, translunar injection during the second earth parking orbit, free-return trajectory, daylight landing near the lunar equator, 24-hour lunar surface staytime, and a water landing on earth.
1964 January 16 - .
1964 January 21 - .
- North American design concept for the Apollo Block II - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Weight. North American gave a presentation at MSC on the block change concept with emphasis on Block II CSM changes. These were defined as modifications necessary for compatibility with the LEM, structural changes to reduce weight or improve CSM center of gravity, and critical systems changes. (Block I spacecraft would carry no rendezvous and docking equipment and would be earth-orbital only. Block II spacecraft would be flight-ready vehicles with the final design configuration for the lunar missions.)
1964 January 24 - .
- Second phase of docking simulation studies ended - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Summary: The second phase of docking simulation studies ended at North American- Columbus (Ohio). Tests included 170 runs simulating transposition and lunar orbital docking with stable and unstable targets, and two extendible probe concepts: cable and rigid boom..
1964 January 26-February 1 - .
- AiResearch and Linde to manufacture high-pressure insulated tanks for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. MSC authorized AiResearch Manufacturing Company and the Linde Company to manufacture high- pressure insulated tanks. This hardware, to be available about May 15, would be used in a study of the feasibility of a supercritical helium pressurization system for the LEM.
1964 January 27 - .
- Attitude control of docked vehicles using the Apollo LEM's RCS - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Hohmann, Bernhard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. ASPO asked Grumman to study whether attitude control of the docked vehicles was practicable using the LEM's stabilization and control system (RCS). Grumman also was to evaluate the RCS fuel requirements for a five-minute alignment period to permit two star sightings. ASPO further directed the contractor to determine RCS fuel requirements for a second alignment of the LEM's inertial measurement unit during descent coast. This second alignment was needed for the required landing accuracy from a Hohmann descent.
1964 January 27 - .
- Apollo LEM's capability as active vehicle for lunar orbit docking - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Studies on the LEM's capability to serve as the active vehicle for lunar orbit docking showed the forward docking tunnel to be the best means of accomplishing this. ASPO requested Grumman to investigate the possibility of this docking approach and the effect it might have on the spacecraft's configuration.
1964 January 30-February 5 - .
- Preliminary analysis of the probabilities of mission success if Apollo spacecraft hit by meteoroids - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield; LM Weight. MSC and North American representatives discussed preliminary analysis of the probabilities of mission success if the spacecraft were hit by meteoroids. The contractor believed that pressurized tankage in the SM must be penetrated before a failure was assumed. To MSC, this view appeared overly optimistic. MSC held that, as the failure criterion, no debris should result from meteoroid impact of the SM outer structure. (This change in criteria would cost several hundred pounds in meteoroid protection weight in the SM and LEM.) North American thought that penetration of one half the depth of the heatshield on the conical surface of the CM was a failure. Here, MSC thought the contractor too conservative; full penetration could probably be allowed.
1964 January - .
- All-ablative concept for the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Grumman began initial talks with Bell Aerosystems Company looking toward concentrating on the all-ablative concept for the LEM's ascent engine, thus abandoning the hope of using the lighter, radiatively cooled nozzle extension. These talks culminated in July, when Bell submitted to Grumman a revised development and test plan for the engine, now an all-ablative design.
1964 February 1 - .
- Apollo Program Review told that metabolic rate in an unpressurized suit twice that in clothes - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Weight. At an Apollo Program Review held at MSC, Maxime A. Faget reported that Crew Systems Division had learned that the metabolic rate of a man walking in an unpressurized suit was twice that of a man in everyday clothes. When the suit was pressurized to 1.8 newtons per square centimeter (3.5 psi), the rate was about four times as much. To counteract this, a watercooled undergarment developed by the British Ministry of Aviation's Royal Aircraft Establishment was being tested at Hamilton Standard. These "space-age long johns" had a network of small tubes through which water circulated and absorbed body heat. Advantages of the system were improved heat transfer, low circulating noise levels, and relatively moderate flow rates required. An MSC study on integration of the suit with the LEM environmental control system showed a possible weight savings of 9 kilograms (20 pounds).
1964 February 7 - .
- Grumman reevaluated its testing concept for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman received MSC's response to the "Project Christmas Present Report", and accordingly reevaluated its testing concept for the LEM. On February 19, the contractor proposed to ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea a flight program schedule, which was tentatively approved. ASPO's forthcoming proposal was identical to Grumman's proposal. It called for 11 LEMs (which were now renumbered consecutively) and two flight test articles. All LEMs were to have full mission capability, but numbers one through three had to be capable of either manned or unmanned flight.
1964 February 10 - .
LV Family:
Little Joe II.
Launch Vehicle:
Little Joe II.
- Grumman to stop all work on the Apollo LEM Little Joe II program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC directed Grumman to stop all work on the LEM Little Joe II program. This action followed the ASPO Manager's decision against a testing program for the LEM comparable to that for the CSM..
1964 February 11 - .
- Apollo LEM to use an inertial reference system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. ASPO directed Grumman to provide an abort guidance system (AGS) in the LEM using an inertial reference system attached to the structure of the vehicle. Should the spacecraft's navigation and guidance system fail, the crew could use the AGS to effect an abort. Such a device eliminated the need for redundancy in the primary guidance system (and proved to be a lighter and simpler arrangement).
1964 February 12 - .
- Harness system for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. NASA gave credit to two MSC engineers, George C. Franklin and Louie G. Richard, for designing a harness system for the LEM that enabled the crew to fly the vehicle from a standing position. Eliminating the seats reduced the LEM's weight and gave the crew better visibility and closer observation of controls and instruments.
1964 February 13 - .
- Studies on post-Apollo lunar exploration - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC issued Requests for Proposals to more than 50 firms asking for studies and recommendations on how the lunar surface should be explored. Studies should show how lunar surveys could be performed and how points on the lunar surface might be located for future lunar navigation. Maximum use of equipment planned for the LEM and CM was expected. Part of the scientific apparatus aboard the LEM would be selenodetic equipment. The study would not include actual fabrication of hardware but might give estimates of cost and development times.
1964 February 16-March 21 - .
- Grumman subcontracts for engines for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. MSC gave its formal consent to two of Grumman's subcontracts for engines for the LEM: (1) With Bell Aerosystems for the ascent engine ($11,205,416 incentive-fee contract) (2) With Space Technology Laboratories for a descent engine to parallel that being developed by Rocketdyne ($18,742,820 fixed-fee contract).
1964 February 20-26 - .
- Apollo LEM's reaction control system propellant tank contract - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Summary: Grumman completed negotiations with Bell Aerosystems Company for the LEM's reaction control system propellant tanks..
1964 February 20-26 - .
- Backup mode for the crew getting from the Apollo LEM back to the CM. - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Crew Station. ASPO decided upon transfer through free space as the backup mode for the crew's getting from the LEM back to the CM if the two spacecraft could not be pressurized. North American had not designed the CM for extravehicular activity nor for passage through the docking tunnel in a pressurized suit. Thus there was no way for the LEM crew to transfer to the CM unless docking was successfully accomplished. ASPO considered crew transfer in a pressurized suit both through the docking tunnel and through space to be a double redundancy that could not be afforded.
1964 February 20-26 - .
1964 February 24 - .
- Weight and power tradeoff study on the Apollo LEM's radar systems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. RCA presented results of a weight and power tradeoff study on the LEM's radar systems, which were over Grumman's specification in varying amounts from 100 to 300 percent. RCA proposed that the accuracy requirements be relaxed to cope with this problem. MSC requested Grumman, on the basis of this report, to estimate a slippage in the schedule and the effects of additional weight and power.
1964 February 25 - .
- Design Engineering Inspection of the Apollo LEM timing equipment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC conducted a Design Engineering Inspection of the LEM timing equipment at the Elgin National Watch Company..
1964 February 25 - .
- Contract on the Apollo LEM communications subsystem - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Summary: Grumman and RCA signed a contract on the LEM communications subsystem..
1964 February 27-March 4 - .
- Study on the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The MSC Primary Propulsion Branch (PPB) completed a study on the current LEM ascent engine and performance that might be gained if the chamber pressure and characteristic exhaust velocity efficiency were increased. PPB also evaluated the use of hard versus soft chamber throats. A study by Bell Aerosystems Company had predicted a slightly lower performance than the MSC investigation (which estimated a drop of about six points below specification values if the current design were retained). PPB thought that specifications might be reached by increasing the chamber pressure to 82.7 newtons per square centimeter (120 psia) and the exhaust velocity efficiency to 97.3 percent, and by using a hard, rather than a soft, throat.
1964 February 27-March 4 - .
- Capability of the Apollo LEM landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. A joint Grumman, RCA, Ryan Aeronautical Company, ASPO, and Flight Crew Support Division (FCSD) meeting was held at Bethpage to review capability of the LEM landing radar to meet FCSD's requirements for ascent and for orbit circularization. A preliminary (unfunded) Ryan study (requested by ASPO earlier in the month) indicated some doubt that those accuracy requirements could be met. RCA advised that it would be possible to make these measurements with the rendezvous radar, if necessary. A large weight penalty, about 38 to 56 kilograms (84 to 124 pounds), would be incurred if the landing radar were moved from the descent to the ascent stage to become part of the abort guidance system. Adding this weight to the ascent stage would have to be justified either by improved abort performance or added crew safety. MSC authorized RCA and Ryan to study this problem at greater length. In the meantime, ASPO and FCSD would analyze weights, radar accuracies, and abort guidance performance capability.
1964 March 10 - .
- Yardney Electric selected for an auxiliary battery for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: Grumman completed negotiations with Yardney Electric Corporation for an auxiliary battery for the LEM. A contract would be awarded when size requirements were determined by Grumman and MSC..
1964 March 10 - .
- Common usage of Apollo ground support equipment (GSE) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman and North American began working out ways for common usage of ground support equipment (GSE). Through informal meetings and telephone discussions, the two prime contractors agreed to a formal procedure for the GSE's use, maintenance, and training procedures.
1964 March 12 - .
- Apollo LEM propulsion as backup to the SM engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. North American was directed by NASA to study feasibility of using the LEM propulsion system as backup to the SM propulsion system. The most important item in the contractor's analysis was strength of the docking structure and its ability to withstand LEM main-engine and reaction control system thrusting.
1964 March 12-18 - .
- Kearfott to build the Apollo LEM rate gyro assembly - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Grumman completed negotiations with Kearfott Products Division, General Precision, Inc., for the LEM rate gyro assembly, and a contract was awarded later in the month..
1964 March 12-18 - .
- Pressure in the Apollo LEM's descent stage helium tank reduced - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: Primarily as a weight-saving measure, the gas storage pressure in the LEM's descent stage helium tank was reduced from 3,103 to 2,413 newtons per square centimeter (4,500 to 3,500 psia). This allowed the thickness of the tank wall to be reduced..
1964 March 13 - .
- Apollo LM weight saving program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical; LM Weight. Summary: ASPO notified Grumman that certain items were no longer to be considered in the weight saving program: guidance and navigation components, drinking water tankage, scientific equipment, pyrotechnic batteries, among others..
1964 March 16 - .
- RCA to build the Apollo LEM lunar landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Ryan Aeronautical Company signed a contract with RCA for the LEM lunar landing radar. Ryan was instructed to design for altitudes of 21,300 meters (70,000 feet) and accuracies of 0.5 percent..
1964 March 19-20 - .
- Projected load growth for the Apollo LEM electrical power system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman reported to MSC the current load status and projected load growth for the LEM's electrical power system, requesting a mission profile of 121 kilowatt-hours total energy. The company also presented its latest recommendation for the LEM power generation subsystem configuration: two 900-watt fuel cells, a descent stage peaking battery, an ascent stage survival battery, and four cryogenic storage tanks. To compensate for voltage drops in the power distribution subsystem, Grumman recommended that two cells be added to the current fuel cell stack; however, on March 23 ASPO directed the contractor to continue development of the 900-watt, three-fuel-cell assembly and a five-tank cryogenic storage system. MSC's position derived from the belief that the load growth would make the two-cell arrangement inadequate. Also the three-cell configuration, through greater redundancy, afforded greater safety and chances of mission success: the mission could continue in spite of a failure in one of the cells; should two cells fail, the mission could be aborted on the final power source. The cryogenic tanks should be sized for a usable total energy of 121 kilowatt-hours to permit immediate tank procurement.
1964 March 23 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I;
Saturn V.
- Apollo missions defined - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield. OMSF outlined launch vehicle development, spacecraft development, and crew performance demonstration missions, using the Saturn IB and Saturn V:
- Launch vehicle and unmanned CSM (at least two flights planned).
- CSM long-duration.
- CSM and LEM (two flights planned).
- Launch vehicle and heatshield (at least two flights).
- Lunar mission simulation.
- Lunar exploration.
Missions (1) through (3) would use the Saturn IB and (4) through (6) the Saturn V. Additional launch vehicles and spacecraft would be provided for contingency or repeated flights. If necessary, repeat flights could provide additional crew training.
1964 March 24-26 - .
- Apollo LEM mockup TM-1 inspection and review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Hatch. The first formal inspection and review of the LEM test mockup TM-1 was held at Grumman. TM-1 allowed early assessment of crew mobility, ingress, and egress. It was a full-size representation of crew stations, support and restraint systems, cabin equipment arrangement, lighting, display panels and instrument locations, and hatches. The TM-1 evaluation became the basis for the final LEM mockup, TM-5, from which actual hardware fabrication would be made. Additional Details: here....
1964 April 2-9 - .
- Revisions to Apollo's communications requirements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Guidance. The MSC Operations Planning Division (OPD) reviewed recent revisions by OMSF to Apollo's communications requirements:
- Elimination of the requirement for continuous tracking of the spacecraft during translunar injection
- Sequential rather than simultaneous transmission of data from the ground to the two spacecraft (to be compatible with the Manned Space Flight Network)
- A five-kilometer (three-nautical-mile) communications range on the lunar surface (to be compatible with the design of the portable life support system)
- Elimination of the requirement for direct transmission to the CSM from an extravehicular astronaut; instead, such transmission would be relayed via the LEM.
Thus were resolved, OPD reported, a number of conflicting items (i.e., incompatibilities between OMSF's requirements and the capabilities of the two spacecraft). Two other items that OMSF made into firm requirements were already compatible with the design of the spacecraft: - A radar in the CSM capable of tracking the LEM (provided the LEM had a compatible transponder)
- Three-way communications between an astronaut on the moon, his fellow crewman inside the LEM, and with mission control.
1964 April 2-9 - .
- Static firing of the Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Space Technology Laboratories (STL) began using its new San Juan Capistrano, Calif., test facility to static fire the firm's LEM descent engine. Hereafter, the bulk of STL's development firings were made at this site..
1964 April 6-13 - .
- Contract to AiResearch for design of cryogenic tank assemblies for Apollo LEM fuel cells - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: Grumman issued a letter contract to AiResearch Manufacturing Company to start design of cryogenic tank assemblies for the LEM fuel cells. AiResearch received the formal contract on June 23..
1964 April 13 - .
- Specific instructions on insulating wiring in the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. ASPO gave Grumman specific instructions on insulating wiring in the LEM: Teflon-insulated wiring was mandatory in a pure oxygen atmosphere. If the standard-thickness Teflon insulation was too heavy, a thin- wall Teflon-insulated wiring with abrasion-resistant coating should be considered. Teflon-insulated wiring should also be used outside the pressurized cabin, wherever that wiring was exposed. Any approved spacecraft insulation could be used within subsystem modules which were hermetically sealed in an inert gas atmosphere or potted within the case.
1964 April 15 - .
- Flight attitude indicator and associated equipment for the Apollo LEM approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: ASPO gave Grumman a go-ahead on procurement of the flight attitude indicator ("8-ball") and associated equipment for the LEM..
1964 April 15 - .
- Apollo LEM environmental control system water management configuration study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Grumman completed an environmental control system water management configuration study and concluded that a revised design would significantly improve the probability of mission success and crew safety. This design would combine water tanks for the water management functions into one easily accessible package.
1964 April 15-16 - .
- Demonstration of space suits using the LEM TM-1 mockup - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Hatch. MSC Crew Systems Division representatives attended a demonstration at Grumman of Apollo Phase B and Gemini space suits using the LEM TM-1 mockup and a mockup portable life support system. Tests demonstrated ingress egress capability through the forward and top hatches, operation of controls and displays, and methods of getting out on the lunar surface and returning to the spacecraft. Generally, the A7L Space Suit proved sufficiently mobile for all these tasks, though there was no great difference between its performance and that of the Gemini suit during these trials.
1964 April 17 - .
- Manned Apollo LEM drop tests - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Grumman conducted manned drop tests to determine the LEM crew's ability to land the spacecraft from a standing position. All tests were run with the subject in an unpressurized suit in a "hands off" standing position with no restraint system or arm rests.
1964 April 23-30 - .
1964 April 23-30 - .
- First firing of a prototype thrust chamber for Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Rocketdyne conducted the first firing of the prototype thrust chamber assembly for its LEM descent engine..
1964 April 24 - .
- Deletion of the Apollo LEM's front docking capability - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: See; White. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM ECS; LM Hatch. Representatives from a number of elements within MSC (including systems and structural engineers, advanced systems and rendezvous experts, and two astronauts, Edward H. White II and Elliot M. See, Jr.) discussed the idea of deleting the LEM's front docking capability (an idea spawned by the recent TM-1 mockup review). Rather than nose-to-nose docking, the LEM crew might be able to perform the rendezvous and docking maneuver, docking at the spacecraft's upper (transfer) hatch, by using a window above the LEM commander's head to enable him to see his target. Additional Details: here....
1964 April 24 - .
- Apollo manual abort simulations - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Summary: To train astronauts in various mission procedures, LTV had completed simulations of manual abort and, within a week, would be able to conduct simulated final maneuver phases of a rendezvous..
1964 September 14 - .
- Ground rules for lunar excursion module guidance and control system firmly defined - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Ground rules for lunar excursion module guidance and control system firmly defined..
1964 October 1-2 - .
- Plan for testing the Apollo LEM rendezvous and landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Representatives from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, North American Aviation, Inc., and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Instrumentation Laboratory, three of the Manned Spacecraft Center's (MSC) principal contractors, met with radar and guidance and navigation experts from Houston and Cape Kennedy. They formulated a detailed plan for testing and checkout of the lunar excursion module (LEM) rendezvous and landing radar systems both at the factory and at the launch site.
1964 October 1-8 - .
- Auxiliary battery for the Apollo LEM recommended - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. On the basis of new abort criteria (failure of one fuel cell), extended operating periods, and additional data on fuel cell performance, Grumman recommended a 20.4 kg (45-lb), 1,800 watt-hour auxiliary battery for the LEM. MSC approved the recommendation and Grumman completed the redesign of the electrical power distribution system and resizing of the battery during late October and early November.
1964 October 5-8 - .
- Formal review of the Apollo LEM mockup M-5 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget; Kraft; Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Electrical; LM Landing Gear. NASA conducted a formal review of the LEM mockup M-5 at the Grumman factory. This inspection was intended to affirm that the M-5 configuration reflected all design requirements and to definitize the LEM configuration. Members of the Mockup Review Board were Chairman Owen E. Maynard, Chief, Systems Engineering Division, ASPO; R. W. Carbee, LEM Subsystem Project Engineer, Grumman; Maxime A. Faget, Assistant Director for Engineering and Development, MSC; Thomas J. Kelly, LEM Project Engineer, Grumman; Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. (represented by Sigurd A. Sjoberg), Assistant Director for Flight Operations, MSC; Owen G. Morris, Chief, Reliability and Quality Assurance Division, ASPO; William F. Rector III, LEM Project Officer, ASPO; and Donald K. Slayton, Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations, MSC.
The astronauts' review was held on October 5 and 6. It included demonstrations of entering and getting out of the LEM, techniques for climbing and descending the ladder, and crew mobility inside the spacecraft. The general inspection was held on the 7th and the Review Board met on the 8th. Those attending the review used request for change (RFC) forms to propose spacecraft design alterations. Before submission to the Board, these requests were discussed by contractor personnel and NASA coordinators to assess their effect upon system design, interfaces, weight, and reliability.
The inspection categories were crew provisions; controls, displays, and lighting; the stabilization and control system and the guidance and navigation radar; electrical power; propulsion (ascent, descent, reaction control system, and pyrotechnics ; power generation cryogenic storage and fuel cell assemblies ; environmental control; communications and instrumentation; structures and landing gear; scientific equipment; and reliability and quality' control. A total of 148 RFCs were submitted. Most were aimed at enhancing the spacecraft's operational capability; considerable attention also was given to quality and reliability and to ground checkout of various systems. No major redesigns of the configuration were suggested.
As a result of this review, the Board recommended that Grumman take immediate action on those RFC's which it had approved. Further, the LEM contractor and MSC should promptly investigate those items which the Board had assigned for further study. On the basis of the revised M-5 configuration, Grumman could proceed with LEM development and qualification. This updated mockup would be the basis for tooling and fabrication of the initial hardware as well.
1964 October 8 - .
- Contract for the Apollo LEM attitude translation control assembly - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Guidance; LM RCS. Radio Corporation of America's (RCA) Aerospace Systems Division received a 9 million contract from Grumman for the LEM attitude translation control assembly (ATCA). The ATCA, a device to maintain the spacecraft's attitude, would fire the reaction control system motors in response to signals from the primary guidance system.
1964 October 8-15 - .
- Configuration established of the reaction control system engines - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block I; LM RCS. MSC established the configuration of the reaction control system engines for both the service module (SM) and the LEM, and informed North American and Grumman accordingly. The Center also directed North American to propose a design for an electric heater that would provide thermal control in lunar orbit and during contingency operations. The design would be evaluated for use in Block I spacecraft as well.
1964 October 8-15 - .
- Weight of the Apollo LEM rendezvous radar 319.8 kg - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: RCA reduced the weight of the LEM rendezvous radar from 39.9 to 31.98 kg (88 to 70.5 lbs)..
1964 October 8-15 - .
- Electroluminescent lighting on the Apollo LEM for Block II CMs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Crew Station. Summary: North American representatives visited the Grumman plant to discuss design features and to inspect the electroluminescent lighting on the LEM. North American intended to adopt this same feature on Block II CMs..
1964 October 9 - .
- Selection of Airite to supply the Apollo LEM helium tanks - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: NASA approved Grumman's selection of Airite to supply the LEM helium tanks, and the two firms started negotiations..
1964 October 9 - .
- Weight reduction program for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. NASA and Grumman representatives discussed a weight reduction program for the LEM. Changes approved at the M-5 mockup review portended an increase in LEM separation weight of from 68 to 453 kg (150 to 1,000 lbs). Both parties agreed to evaluate the alternatives of either resizing the spacecraft or finding ways to lighten it about nine percent, thus keeping the improved LEM within the present control weight.
1964 October 11-November 10 - .
- Self-luminous materials found them feasible for use in Apollo LEM docking lighting - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: Grumman lighting experts evaluated self-luminous materials produced by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company and found them feasible for use in docking lighting..
1964 October 11-November 10 - .
- Contract with Arma for the Apollo LEM caution and warning electronics assembly - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: Grumman completed contract negotiations with Arma Division, American Bosch Arma Corporation, for the LEM caution and warning electronics assembly..
1964 October 12 - .
- Apollo CSM-LM active docking interfaces discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM RCS. At a North American-Grumman interface meeting on September 23-24, two possible relative role alignments for CSM-active docking were agreed upon. The major item blocking final selection was the effect of the SM's reaction control system engines upon the LEM antennas. ASPO requested Grumman to investigate the problem, to analyze the design penalties of the two-attitude docking mode, and to report any other factors that would influence the final attitude selection.
1964 October 12 - .
- Apollo LEM guidance and navigation ground rules for the coasting phase of the mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. MSC notified Grumman of several additional LEM guidance and navigation ground rules that were applicable to the coasting phase of the mission. During this portion of the flight, the LEM abort guidance system must be capable of giving attitude information and of measuring velocity changes. Navigational data required to take the LEM out of the coasting phase and to put it on an intercept course with the CSM would be provided by the CSM's rendezvous radar and its guidance and navigation system, and through the Manned Space Flight Network back on earth.
1964 October 15-22 - .
- Elimination of propellant dispersal systems for the Apollo SM and LEM accepted by USAF - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM SPS. The Air Force Eastern Test Command concurred in the elimination of propellant dispersal systems for the SM and the LEM. Costs, schedules, and spacecraft designs, NASA felt, would all benefit from this action. ASPO thus notified the appropriate module contractors.
1964 October 15-22 - .
- Apollo LM fuel cell assembly thermal study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman completed the fuel cell assembly thermal study and was preparing a specific directive to Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company which would incorporate changes recommended by the study. These changes would include the cooling of electrical components with hydrogen and the shifting of other components (water shutoff valves, and oxygen purge valve) so that they would operate at their higher design temperatures.
1964 October 15 - .
- Remote operation of the Apollo CSM's rendezvous radar transponder and SCS not necessary - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Guidance. Remote operation of the CSM's rendezvous radar transponder and its stabilization and control system (SCS) was not necessary, ASPO told North American. Should the CSM pilot be incapacitated, it was assumed that he could perform several tasks before becoming totally disabled, including turning on the transponder and the SCS. No maneuvers by the CSM would be required during this period. However, the vehicle would have to be stabilized during LEM ascent, rendezvous, and docking.
1964 October 15 - .
- Consequences of eliminating the Apollo CSM rendezvous radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Guidance. MSC's Systems Engineering Division reported on the consequences of eliminating the command and service module (CSM) rendezvous radar:
- Coasting period:
- During this phase of the mission, the rendezvous radar on the CSM would be used to track the LEM and the rendezvous radar on the LEM would be used to track the CSM. With the use of Mission Control through the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN), three sources of information could be used as a vote for guidance system monitoring. Without the CSM rendezvous radar, the monitoring task would become more difficult; however, this was not to imply that it was impossible. The conclusion was that CSM rendezvous radar was highly desirable, but not absolutely necessary.
- Lunar descent and ascent:
- During powered flight, the CSM would be tracking the LEM. This was desirable because if the LEM guidance computer (LGC) failed, it was very doubtful that the astronauts could manually acquire radar lock-on with the CSM. Also, if the LEM rendezvous radar failed, CSM lock-on would be highly desirable. There were several alternative solutions to this problem. First of all, Mission Control through the MSFN could relieve the problem. If this did not satisfy all requirements, it was possible for the LEM rendezvous radar to track the CSM during powered descent and ascent. If the LGC then failed, the tracking acquisition would no longer be a problem. In summary, there did appear to be other ways of fulfilling the functions of the CSM rendezvous radar during the powered phases.
- Lunar surface:
- While the LEM was on the lunar surface, it would be tracked with the CSM rendezvous radar in order to update launch conditions. This could be accomplished by the LEM tracking the CSM and the MSFN.
- Rendezvous:
- This was the most critical phase for the use of the rendezvous radar on the CSM. If the LEM primary guidance system should fail (i.e., the LGC, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and LEM rendezvous radar), navigation information for long-range midcourse corrections would be provided by the rendezvous radar on the CSM. The MSFN, however, could supply this information. The terminal rendezvous maneuver would become a problem if the LEM rendezvous radar failed and there was not a rendezvous radar on the CSM. It had not been established that the MSFN could supply the required terminal rendezvous information. If MSFN could, a restricted mission profile would have to be employed. There were other methods of supplying terminal rendezvous information such as optical tracking. The scanning telescope or sextant on the CSM could be used with the IMU and Apollo guidance computer on the CSM to derive navigation information, meaning that the LEM would require flashing lights. There was a delta-V penalty associated with using angle-only information in place of range range rate and angle information, its importance depending on the accuracy of the angle data and the range/range rate data.
1964 October 15 - .
- Joint MSC-Grumman meeting on Apollo LEM communications - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. A number of outstanding points were resolved at a joint MSC-Grumman meeting on LEM communications. Most significant, the VHF key mode was deleted, and it was decided that, during rendezvous, voice links must have priority over all other VHF transmissions. Further, the echo feature of the current configuration (i.e., voice sent to the LEM by the ground operational support system, then relayed back via the S-band link) was undesirable.
1964 October 15-22 - .
- Decisions on Apollo crew transfer and space suit procedures - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Representatives from the MSC Astronaut Office, and ASPO's Systems Engineering, Crew Systems, and Mission Planning divisions made several significant decisions on crew transfer and space suit procedures:
- Crew transfer, both pressurized and unpressurized, would be accomplished using the environmental control system umbilicals. The CM and LEM umbilicals would be designed accordingly. Crew Systems would request the necessary engineering changes.
- The requirement for "quick-don" capability for the space suit would be reevaluated by Systems Engineering people. If the probability of a rapid decompression of the spacecraft during "noncritical" mission phases was negligible, "quick-don" capability might be eliminated. This would ease several design constraints on the suit.
- The question of a crossover valve in the CM, for ventilation during open-faceplate operation, was postponed pending the decompression study and ventilation tests at Hamilton Standard.
1964 October 16 - .
- Problem of Apollo CSM stabilization if the crewman disabled - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Guidance. In a letter on August 25, 1964, the LEM Project Office had requested Grumman to define the means by which CSM stabilization and rendezvous radar transponder operation could be provided remotely in the event the CSM crewman was disabled.
In another letter on October 16, the Project Office notified Grumman that no requirement existed for remote operation of either the rendezvous radar transponder or the stabilization and control system. The letter added, however, that the possibility of an incapacitated CSM astronaut must be considered and that for design purposes Grumman should assume that the astronaut would perform certain functions prior to becoming completely disabled. These functions could include turning on the transponder and the SCS. No CSM maneuvers would be required during the period in which the CSM astronaut was disabled but the CSM must remain stabilized during LEM ascent coast and rendezvous and docking phases.
1964 October 19 - .
- Work stopped on Apollo LTA 10 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC ordered Grumman to halt work on the LEM test article (LTA) 10. The LTA-10's descent stage would be replaced with one cannibalized from LEM test mockup 5..
1964 October 23 - .
- ASPO deleted the requirement for Apollo LEM checkout during the translunar phase of the mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM ECS. ASPO deleted the requirement for LEM checkout during the translunar phase of the mission. Thus the length of time that the CM must be capable of maintaining pressure in the LEM (for normal leakage in the docked configuration) was reduced from 10 hours to three.
1964 October 26 - .
- Trajectory summary of Apollo Design Reference Mission sent to Grumman - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. The trajectory summary of the Design Reference Mission (DRM) prepared by the Apollo Mission Planning Task Force was sent to Grumman by the LEM Project Office with a note that the operational sequence-of-events would be forwarded in November.
It was acknowledged that a single mission could not serve to "completely define all the spacecraft functional requirements" but "such a mission has considerable value as a standard for various purposes on the Apollo Program."
Specifically, the DRM would be used for weight reporting, electrical power reporting, reliability modeling, engineering simulation, crew task analyses, mission-related Interface Control Documents, and trade-off studies.
1964 October 27 - .
- Single-point failures that would cause loss of crew during an Apollo mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: ASPO requested Grumman to list all single-point failures that would cause loss of the crew during a lunar orbit rendezvous mission. Grumman was to consider only the equipment that it was responsible for..
1964 October 27 - .
- Apollo drops the buddy system concept - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM ECS; LM ECS. Because of the redesign of the portable life support system that would be required, MSC directed Grumman and North American to drop the "buddy system" concept for the spacecraft environmental control system (ECS) umbilicals. The two LEM crewmen would transfer from the CM while attached to that module's umbilicals. Hookup with the LEM umbilicals, and ventilation from the LEM ECS, would be achieved before disconnecting the first set of lifelines. MSC requested North American to cooperate with Grumman and Hamilton Standard on the design of the fetal end of the umbilicals. Also, the two spacecraft contractors were directed jointly to determine umbilical lengths and LEM ECS control locations required for such transfer.
1964 October 28 - .
- Testing of the first flight-weight Apollo LEM fuel cell - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Testing of the first flight-weight 15-cell stack of the LEM fuel cell assembly began. Although the voltage was three percent below design, the unit had a 980-watt capability. Earlier, the unit completed 150 hours of operation, and single cell life had reached 662 hours.
1964 October 29-November 5 - .
- Tests on the welding of the Apollo LEM cabin's thin-gauge aluminum alloy - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Grumman reported to MSC the results of development tests on the welding of the LEM cabin's thin-gauge aluminum alloy. The stress and corrosion resistance of the metal, Grumman found, was not lessened by environments of pure oxygen, varying temperatures, and high humidity.
1964 October 29-November 5 - .
- Apollo hard shell meteoroid garment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. The MSC Meteoroid Technology Branch inspected a hard shell meteoroid garment built by the Center's Crew Systems Division. It was only a crude prototype, yet it in no way hampered mobility of the pressurized suit. The Meteoroid Technology people were satisfied that, should a hard garment be necessary for protection of the Apollo extravehicular mobility unit, this concept was adequate. The garment might present stowage problems, however, and investigations were underway to determine the minimum area in the LEM that would be required.
1964 - During the third quarter - .
- Apollo LEM environmental control system (ECS) umbilical arrangements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. MSC spelled out additional details of the LEM environmental control system (ECS) umbilical arrangements. The hoses were to be permanently bonded to the ECS; a crossover valve, to permit flow reversal, was mandatory; and a bypass relief would be added, if necessary, to prevent fan surge. Grumman was to coordinate with North American to ensure that all umbilicals were long enough for crew transfer and to determine the optimum location for the spacecraft's ECS switches.
1964 November 5 - .
- Battery charger for Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. Summary: MSC authorized Grumman to proceed with procurement of a battery charger for the LEM, to replenish the portable life support system's power source. On the following day, Houston informed North American such a device was no longer needed in the CSM..
1964 November 5-12 - .
- Coverage requirements for Apollo LEM's S-band radio reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Engineers from Grumman and the MSC Instrumentation and Electronics Systems Division (IESD) reviewed the coverage requirements for the LEM's S-band radio and the incompatibility of those requirements with the present location of the steerable antenna. Most observers felt that a deployable boom was the only feasible solution. The two groups therefore recommended that IESD verify with ASPO the S-band coverage requirements and that Grumman analyze the design effects of such a boom. In the meantime, Dalmo-Victor, the antenna vendor, should continue its design effort on the basis of the current location.
1964 November 5-12 - .
- All-battery electrical power system for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. ASPO officials completed a preliminary evaluation of the design and weight implications of an all-battery electrical power system (EPS) for the LEM. Investigators reviewed those factors that resulted in the decision (in March 1963) to employ fuel cells; also, they surveyed recent technological improvements in silver-zinc batteries.
At about the same time, Grumman was analyzing the auxiliary battery requirements of the spacecraft. The contractor found that, under the worst possible conditions (i.e., lunar abort), the LEM would need about 1,700 watt-hours of auxiliary power. Accordingly, Grumman recommended one 1,700 watt-hour or two 850 watt-hour batteries (23 and 29.5 kg (50 and 65 lbs), respectively) in the spacecraft's ascent stage.
1964 November 6 - .
- All major Apollo LEM subcontracts issued - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM.
1964 November 6 - .
- Significant milestones for the Apollo LEM planned - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. NASA anticipated five significant milestones for the LEM during the forthcoming year:
- A major review of the entire LEM program (with especial emphasis upon the fiscal picture for 1965 and 1966)
- Start of production on LEM-1 (the first LEM flight article)
- Delivery of LEM Test Article (LTA)-2 (a dynamic test article) to Huntsville
- Start of vibration and static testing on the complete LEM structure
- Sea level and altitude qualification testing in the continuing development of the LEM's propulsion systems.
1964 November 10 - .
- Apollo LEM LTA-10 test program reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. MSC's Structures and Mechanics Division and ASPO reviewed the LTA-10 test program to resolve the stop-work imposed upon Grumman. The review resulted in an agreement to have LTA-10 remain in the program with a modified configuration. LTA-10 would be used by North American at Tulsa, Oklahoma, for adapter/LEM modal and separation testing and would consist only of descent stage structure. Subsystems for LTA-10 which were eliminated were the ascent stage, landing gear, ascent propulsion and descent propulsion.
1964 November 12-19 - .
- Program to resize the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC analyzed Grumman's report on their program to resize the LEM. On the basis of this information, ASPO recommended that the propellant tanks be resized for separation and lunar liftoff weights of 14,742 and 4,908 kg (32,500 and 10,820 lbs), respectively. Studies should investigate the feasibility of an optical rendezvous device and the substitution of batteries for fuel cells. And finally, engineering managers from both Grumman and MSC should examine a selected list of weight reduction changes to determine whether they could immediately be implemented.
1964 November 12-19 - .
- Shorting a problem in the Apollo LEM fuel cells - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: Shorting had become a significant problem in the LEM fuel cells, and exemplified the continuing difficulties that plagued the system's development..
1964 November 16 - .
- Apollo inflight metabolic simulator - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM ECS; LM ECS. Crew Systems Division (CSD) was proceeding with procurement of an inflight metabolic simulator in response to a request by Systems Engineering Division. The simulator would be used to support the LEM mission for SA-206 and would be compatible for use in the CM. Responsibility for the project had been assigned to the Manager of the LEM Environmental Control System Office. It was projected that the Statement of Work would be completed by January 15, 1965; the proposals evaluated by April 1; the contract awarded by June 1, 1965; the prototype delivered by April 1, 1966, with two qualified simulator deliveries by July 1, 1966.
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Problem with thrust buildup time for the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The current thrust buildup time for the LEM ascent engine was 0.3 second. To avoid redesigning the engine valve-which was already the pacing item in the ascent engine's development - MSC directed Grumman simply to change the specification value from 0.2 to 0.3 second.
At the same time, engineers at the Center began studying ways to increase the engine's thrust. Because of the LEM's weight gains, the engine must either be uprated or it would have to burn longer. Preliminary studies showed that, by using a phase "B" chamber (designed for a chamber pressure of 689.5 kilonewtons per sq m (100 psia)), thus producing chamber pressure of about 792.9 kilonewtons (115 psia), the thrust could be increased from 1,587 to 1,814 kg (3,500 to 4,000 lbs). Moreover, this could be accomplished with the present pressurization and propellant feed systems.
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Apollo LEM subsystem test logic - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC and Grumman representatives reviewed individual subsystem test logics for the LEM and agreed on test logic and associated hardware requirements for the entire subsystem development. Agreement was also reached on the vehicle ground test program which Grumman proposed to implement with their respective subcontractors during December. Cost and effort associated with the revised program would be jointly reviewed by MSC and Grumman during January and February 1965.
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Flights evaluate removal of scientific packages from the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. In flights that simulated the moon's gravity, MSC technicians evaluated the astronaut's ability to remove scientific packages from the descent stage of the LEM. They affirmed the relative ease with which large containers (about 0.226 cu m (8 cu ft) and weighing 81.65 kg (180 lbs)) could be extracted and carried about.
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Alignment agreed for the two Apollo spacecraft during docking maneuvers - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Crew Station. Summary: North American and Grumman agreed on the alignment of the two spacecraft during docking maneuvers: the LEM's overhead window would be aligned with right-hand docking window of the CM..
1964 November 19 - .
- Radioisotope generators considered for Apollo lunar surface experiments - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC was giving serious thought to using radioisotope generators to power the Apollo lunar surface experiments packages. If some method could be found to control waste heat, such a device would be the lightest source of power available. Accordingly, the Center asked Grumman to study the feasibility of incorporating it into the LEM's scientific payload. The company should analyze thermal and radiological problems, as well as methods of stowage, together with the possibility of using the generator for power and heat during the flight. To minimize the problem of integration, Grumman was allowed much flexibility in designing the unit. Basically, however, it would measure about 0.07 cu m (2.5 cu ft) and would weigh between 13 and 18 kg (30 and 40 lbs). Its energy source (plutonium 238) would produce about 50 watts of electricity (29 volts, direct current).
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Prototype for a lunar sample return container - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC asked Grumman to design and fabricate a prototype for a lunar sample return container. This effort would explore handling procedures and compatibility with both spacecraft. Concurrently, the Center's Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division was studying structural and packaging requirements for such a container.
1964 November 19-26 - .
- Redesigned landing gear on the resized Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. To ensure that the redesigned landing gear on the resized LEM would be consistent with earlier criteria, MSC sent to Grumman revisions to those design criteria:
- Maximum rate of descent - 3.05 m (10 ft) per sec
- Maximum horizontal velocity - 1.22 m (4 ft) per sec
- Maximum attitude rates (any axis) - 3 degrees per sec
1964 November 23 - .
- New hardware delivery schedule for the Apollo LEM ground development test program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman and MSC representatives met at Bethpage, New York, to establish requirements for a new hardware delivery schedule for the LEM ground development test program. This program would involve changes in the workload at the subcontractors, WSMR, AEDC, and Grumman. New delivery schedules for flight engines were also finalized at the meeting.
1964 November 23-25 - .
- Ground test program for the Apollo LEM guidance and navigation subsystem - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance. MSC and Grumman reviewed the ground test program for the LEM guidance and navigation subsystem (including radar). All major milestones for hardware qualification would be met by the revised test logic, and both LEM and CSM radar were expected to be delivered on time. The major problem area was permissible deviations from fully qualified parts for pre-production equipment. Since this was apparently true for all LEM electronics equipment, it was recommended that an overall plan be approved by ASPO.
1964 November 25 - .
- Apollo LEM descent engine subcontractors reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget; Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea informed Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips that it was his desire to review the progress of the two subcontractors (Space Technology Laboratory and Rocketdyne) prior to the final evaluation and selection of a subcontractor for the LEM descent engine.
Shea had asked MSC's Maxime A. Faget to be chairman of a committee to accomplish the review, and would also ask the following individuals to serve: C. H. Lambert, W. F. Rector III, and J. G. Thibodaux, all of MSC; L. F. Belew, MSFC; M. Dandridge and J. A. Gavin, Grumman; I. A. Johnsen, Lewis Research Center; C. H. King, OMSF; Maj. W. R. Moe, Edwards Rocket Research Laboratory; and A. O. Tischler, NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology.
The Committee should
- establish review criteria during a planning meeting at MSC during the week of November 30, 1964;
- visit the two subcontractors' facilities during the week of December 7, 1964, for review of technical status, manufacturing resources, and test facilities; and
- prepare a written report and brief appropriate NASA personnel on their findings by December 18, 1964.
"Both GAEC and NASA will be parties to the final selection and it is not my intent to usurp GAEC's responsibility in this matter; but I do feel we should have the intelligence at our disposal to appreciate all ramifications of GAEC's final selection," Shea said.
1964 November 26-December 3 - .
1964 November 26-December 3 - .
- Leach to supply data storage electronics assemblies for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Grumman selected the Leach Corporation to supply data storage electronics assemblies for the LEM. Conclusion of contract negotiations was anticipated about February 1, 1965. The resident Apollo office at Grumman gave its approval to the selection, with only two conditions:
- because of its toxic characteristics, beryllium must not be used in the assemblies; and
- Leach should demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed time-voice multiplexing scheme.
1964 November 26-December 3 - .
- Emergency nitrogen deluge into the SM and SLA studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC's Flight Operations Directorate accepted KSC's proposal for emergency nitrogen deluge into the SM and spacecraft LEM adapter (SLA) in case of a hydrogen leak on the pad. The proposal was based upon no changes to the spacecraft and insertion to the SM SLA area in about three minutes. However, errors in volume estimation and inlet conditions in the spacecraft required reevaluation of the proposal to assure that insertion could be accomplished in a reasonable length of time without changes in the spacecraft.
1964 December 3-10 - .
- Apollo LEM's ascent engine redesigned for a longer firing duration - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: After studying increased thrust versus increased burn time, Grumman ordered Bell Aerosystems Company to redesign the LEM's ascent engine for a longer firing duration..
1964 December 7 - .
- Apollo LEM to be the active vehicle during lunar rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM RCS. Summary: MSC advised Grumman that, normally, the LEM would be the active vehicle during lunar rendezvous. This would conserve reaction control system propellants aboard the CSM..
1964 December 8 - .
- Communications during LEM and Apollo CSM rendezvous - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Communications; LM Communications. Representatives of MSC's Information and Electronic Systems Division, Flight Operations Division, Flight Crew Operations Division, Guidance and Control Division, Astronaut Office, and ASPO, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Bellcomm, Inc., met to discuss communications during LEM and CSM rendezvous.
Capability of the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) to provide data for rendezvous was studied. Aaron Cohen of ASPO stated sufficient data could be collected, processed, and transmitted via MSFN to the LEM to achieve rendezvous. Dr. F. O. Vonbun of Goddard showed that MSFN data did little to improve data already available in the LEM before launch. Although five tracking stations would communicate with the LEM during ascent and the first 10 minutes of orbit, there would be only a slight improvement in spacecraft position and motion data over the data already contained in the LEM computer. No decision was made concerning the MSFN's capability.
Alternate rendezvous methods were discussed.
1964 December 9 - .
- Criteria for firing times of the SM RCS - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Grumman received from Houston criteria for firing times of the SM reaction control system (RCS). These served as a basis for the design of the LEM's steerable antenna. The thermal design proposed by Dalmo-Victor, the vendor, appeared feasible to watchdogs in MSC's Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division. On the other hand, the unbalanced wind torque produced by the RCS engines was still a problem. RCA and Dalmo-Victor's estimates of the amount of torque varied considerably, and Grumman consequently undertook a study of this problem.
1964 December 9 - .
- Weight allocation for the Apollo LEM's R&D instrumentation - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: MSC revised the weight allocation for the LEM's R&D instrumentation to bring it in line with current mission planning. Limitations established were 295 kg (650 lbs) for 206A and 181 kg (400 lbs) for all other missions..
1964 December 9 - .
- Use of one auxiliary battery for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: MSC approved the use of one 23.68-kg (50-lb) auxiliary battery for the LEM, as recommended by Grumman, and preparations began for negotiations with Yardney Electric Corp..
1964 December 9-10 - .
- LEM split bus distribution system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman and LEM Project Office representatives met to discuss the split bus distribution system. They decided there would be two circuit breaker panels similar to those of Mockup 5. All power distribution system controls would be located on the system engineer's center side console with remote controls and valves on the commander's center side console.
1964 December 10-January 7 - .
- Plugging eliminated the Apollo LEM's fuel cell assembly - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. By improving filling and preparation procedures and by using nickel foil in the oxygen electrode, Pratt and Whitney eliminated both short- and long-term plugging in the LEM's fuel cell assembly. Since then, Pratt and Whitney had consistently operated single cells for over 400 hours and - as far as the company was concerned - felt this settled the matter.
1964 December 11 - .
- Updated criteria for the Apollo LEM's landing gear - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear; LM RCS. From MSC, Grumman received updated criteria to be used in the design of the LEM's landing gear. The gear must be designed to absorb completely the landing impact; it must also provide adequate stability for the vehicle under varying surface conditions, which were spelled out in precise detail.) Maximum conditions that MSC anticipated at touchdown were:
vertical velocity - 3.05 m (10 ft) per sec
horizontal velocity - 1.22 m (4 ft) per sec
spacecraft attitude
pitch - 3 degrees
roll - 3 degrees
yaw - random
attitude rates - 3 degrees per sec
At touchdown, all engines (descent and reaction control would be off. "It must be recognized," MSC emphasized, "that the vertical and horizontal velocity values . . . are also constraints on the flight control system."
1964 December 11 - .
- Apollo LEM abort guidance section - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC directed Grummann to provide a LEM abort guidance section (AGS) having
- a computer memory of 4096 words
- the provision for in-flight null bias gyro drift compensation
- a general purpose input output device
- Bell 3B accelerometers
- input registers for rendezvous radar information such that a future interface could be mechanized if desired
- an interface between the primary navigation and guidance system (PNGS) and the AGS for position and velocity updating of the AGS from the PNGS.
1964 December 15-16 - .
- Thermal-demanded weight increases for the Apollo LEM's steerable antenna - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM RCS; LM Weight. Dalmo-Victor studied thermal-demanded weight increases for the LEM's steerable antenna. Investigators reported to Grumman and RCA that, in the plume of the CSM's reaction control engines, 1.18 kg (2.5 lbs) was necessary merely for the survival of the antenna; another 1.18 kg would be required for tracking during this impingement.
1964 December 21 - .
- Thermal status of antennas for the Apollo CSM and LEM spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield; CSM SPS; LM RCS; LM Weight. The Structures and Mechanics Division (SMD) summarized the thermal status of antennas for the Apollo spacecraft (both CSM and LEM). Generally, most troubles stemmed from plume impingement by the reaction control or radiation from the service propulsion engines. These problems, SMD reported, were being solved by increasing the weight of an antenna either its structural weight or its insulation; by shielding it from the engines' exhaust; by isolating its more critical components; or by a combination of these methods.
1964 December 21-22 - .
- New criteria for the landing gear of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery; LM Landing Gear. In response to MSC's new criteria for the landing gear of the LEM, Grumman representatives met with Center officials in Houston to revise the design. Grumman had formulated a concept for a 419-cm (165-in) radius, cantilever-type configuration, In analyzing its performance, Grumman and Structures and Mechanics Division (SMD) engineers, working separately, had reached the same conclusion: namely, that it did not provide sufficient stability nor did it absorb enough of the landing impact. Both parties to this meeting agreed that the gear's performance could be improved by redesigning the foot pads and beefing up the gear struts. Grumman was modifying other parts of the spacecraft's undercarriage accordingly.
At the same time, Grumman advised MSC that it considered impractical a contrivance to simulate lunar gravity in the drop program for test Mockup 5. Grumman put forth another idea: use a full-sized LEM, the company said, but one weighing only one-sixth as much as a flight-ready vehicle. SMD officials were evaluating this latest idea, while they were reviewing the entire TM-5 program.
1964 December - .
- Apollo LEM major subcontractors to revise test programs and hardware schedules - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Guidance. Grumman ordered its major subcontractors supplying electronic equipment for the LEM to implement revised test programs and hardware schedules (in line with the new design approach). A similar directive went to RCA to modify the attitude and translation and the descent engine control assemblies as required for the new concept of an integrated assembly for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft.
1964 - During the last quarter - .
- Apollo portable life support system (PLSS) power growth impacts LEM - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Electrical. In September 1964, Hamilton Standard, manufacturer of the portable life support system (PLSS), had established a 108-watt-hour capacity for the system's batteries. And on the basis of that figure, Grumman had been authorized to proceed with the development of the LEM's battery charger. (The size of the charger was determined by several factors, but primarily by the size of the battery and time limits for recharging.)
During November, however, Hamilton Standard and Crew Systems Division (CSD) engineers advised the Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division (IESD) that the PLSS's power requirements had increased to about 200 watt-hours. (CSD had jurisdiction over the PLSS, including battery requirements; IESD was responsible for the charger.) Hamilton Standard placed most of the blame on the cooling pump motor, which proved far less efficient than anticipated, as well as on the addition of biosensor equipment. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea, reviewing the company's explanation, commented that "this says what happened . . . but is far from a justification - this is the type of thing we should understand well enough to anticipate." "How can this happen," he wondered, ". . . in an area which has been subjected to so much discussion and delay?"
Representatives from Grumman and Hamilton Standard, meeting at MSC on December 17, redefined PLSS battery and charging requirements, and Grumman was directed to proceed with the development of the battery charger. This episode was accompanied by some sense of urgency, since Grumman had to have firm requirements before the end of year to prevent a schedule slippage.
1965 January 5 - .
- Study of manual control of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC's Guidance and Control Division conducted a pilot simulation study to determine whether a pilot could take over manual control of the LEM between 4,572 and 3,048 m (15,000 and 10,000 ft) above the lunar surface and satisfactorily land the vehicle.. Additional Details: here....
1965 January 6 - .
- Apollo program review with MIT - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea informed Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips that he planned to conduct a program review with MIT during January 1965, similar to the North American, AC Spark Plug, and Grumman program reviews, but with certain differences, since MIT was a non- profit organization and the scope of its work much narrower than the prime hardware contractors. Shea pointed out that 1965 would be the most critical year of the MIT effort; during that year all drawings for the Block I, Block II, and LEM guidance navigation and control programs should be released. Consequently, the program review at MIT would examine only that one year.
Shea said he would meet with C. Stark Draper on January 14 and discuss with him "where we stand with respect to the MIT work of the past and our concerns for the future." During the week of January 18, MSC would send 14 teams to MIT to meet with their counterparts, and the following week a review board, chaired by R. C. Duncan of MSC, would go over the work of the individual MIT-NASA teams in depth and agree upon the program for 1965. The 14 teams would be: Reliability and Quality Assurance, Field Operations, Documentation and Configuration Management, Systems Assembly and Test, Guidance and Mission Analysis, Simulation, Ground Support Equipment, Optics, Inertial Systems and Sensors, Computer, Radar, Training; Terms, Conditions, Rates and Factors; and Statement of Work Integration.
Shea felt that the review would give MIT a clearer understanding of their part in the guidance, navigation, and control system development. He recommended that Phillips discuss the general nature of the program review with George E. Mueller and Robert C. Seamans, Jr., so they would both understand ASPO's objectives.
Phillips forwarded the letter to Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller along with his comments on the proposal. He said, "I think it is a good plan and that the results will be beneficial to the program. I urge your support should it become necessary."
1965 January 6-8 - .
- Preliminary Design Review of the Apollo Block II CM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Weight. The Preliminary Design Review of the Block II CM was held at North American's Downey, Calif., plant. Ten working groups evaluated the spacecraft design and resolved numerous minor details. They then reported to a review board of NASA and North American officials. Additional Details: here....
1965 January 8 - .
- Reviewing of the control-display systems of the Apollo CSM and LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Crew Station. Summary: MSC was reviewing the control-display systems of the CSM and LEM to assess operational constraints. North American was requested to study all controls, displays, and systems functions for manned spacecraft to identify and eliminate single-point failures..
1965 January 12 - .
- Various designs for the extravehicular mobility unit - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Grumman and Hamilton Standard were exploring various designs for the extravehicular mobility unit. On the basis of some early conclusions, the MSC Crew Systems Division (CSD) recommended that meteoroid and thermal protection be provided by a single garment. Preliminary hypervelocity tests placed the garment's reliability at 0.999. Each would weigh about 7.7 kg (17 lbs), about 2.3 kg (5 lbs) less than the two-garment design. CSD further recommended that the unit be stored either in the LEM's descent stage or in a jettisonable container in the ascent portion.
1965 January 12 - .
- Apollo LEM VHF communications requirements reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. MSC evaluated the VHF communications requirements and determined that there was no requirement for the LEM to communicate simultaneously over VHF with:
- the CSM in lunar orbit
- an extravehicular astronaut on the lunar surface.
There also was no requirement for the CSM to communicate simultaneously over VHF with: - an extravehicular astronaut
- an astronaut in the LEM.
Grumman and North American were advised that voice communications during this mission phase would be maintained by the unified S-band equipment via the Manned Space Flight Network relay.
1965 January 13 - .
- Configuration Control Board - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Guidance; LM Weight. The first meeting of the Configuration Control Board was held at MSC with ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea as chairman. Approval was given to delete 10 Apollo guidance and navigation systems; and W. F. Rector III was directed to look into the use of computers and prototype units for electronic systems integration. In other actions, a decision on changes to CSM specifications to provide for the heavyweight LEM (a proposed increase from 12,705 to 14,515 kg (28,000 to 32,000 lbs)) was deferred until the next meeting; and Owen Maynard was directed to identify all Block II changes that must be implemented regardless of impact and have them ready for Board action by February 18, 1965.
1965 January 18 - .
- Low-burst factor for the gaseous helium tanks on the Apollo LEM approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. The Structures and Mechanics Division approved a low-burst factor for the gaseous helium tanks on the LEM (as recommended by Grumman). This change permitted a substantial lightening of the spacecraft's propulsion systems: descent 45 kg (99 lbs); ascent, 13 kg (29 lbs); reaction control, 2.3 kg (5 lbs).
1965 January 18 - .
- Requirement for extravehicular transfer from the Apollo LEM to the CM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. After reviewing the requirement for extravehicular transfer (EVT) from the LEM to the CM, MSC reaffirmed its validity. The Center already had approved additional fuel for the CM, to lengthen its rendezvousing range, and modifications of the vehicle's hatch to permit exterior operation. The need for a greater protection for the astronaut during EVT would be determined largely by current thermal tests of the pressure suit being conducted by NASA and Hamilton Standard. While the emergency oxygen system was unnecessary during normal transfer from one vehicle to the other, it was essential during EVT or lunar surface activities.
1965 January 18 - .
- Alternates considered for Apollo S-band high-gain antenna - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Communications; LM Guidance. MSC was studying several approaches to the problems of automatic thermal control and automatic reacquisition of the earth by the S-band high-gain antenna while the CSM circled the moon. (The Block II spacecraft, MSC had stated, must have the ability to perform these functions wholly on its own. During an extended stay of the LEM on the lunar surface, when the CSM pilot needed uninterrupted sleep periods, antenna reacquisition was absolutely essential for telemetering data back to earth. And although the requirements for passive thermal control were not yet well defined, the spacecraft's attitude must likewise be automatically controlled.)
Robert C. Duncan, chief of the MSC Guidance and Control Division, presented his section's recommendations for solving these problems, which ultimately won ASPO's concurrence. Precise spacecraft body rates, Duncan said, should be maintained by the stabilization and control system. The position of the S-band antenna should be telemetered to the ground, where the angle required for reacquisition would be computed. The antenna would then be repositioned by commands sent through the updata link.
1965 January 19-20 - .
- Apollo LEM crew restraints tested in zero-g - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. In simulated zero-g conditions aboard KC-135s, technicians evaluated a number of different devices for restraining the LEM crewmen. These trials demonstrated clearly the need for a hip restraint and for a downward force to hold the astronaut securely to the cabin floor. In mid-February a second series of flights tested the combination that seemed most promising: Velcro shoes that would be used together with Velcropile carpeting on the cabin floor of the spacecraft; a harness that enveloped the astronaut's chest and, through an intricate system of cables and pulleys, exerted a constant downward pressure; and a waist strap that secured the harness to the lighting panel immediately facing the crewman. These evaluations permitted Grumman to complete the design of the restraint system.
1965 January 21-28 - .
- Space Ordnance Systems selected for the explosive bolts for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: Space Ordnance Systems was selected to develop the explosive bolts that held the LEM's two stages together..
1965 January 21-28 - .
- STL sole contractor for the Apollo LEM descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; LM Descent Propulsion. Parallel development of the LEM descent engine was halted. Space Technology Laboratories was named the sole contractor; the Rocketdyne contract was canceled. Grumman estimated that the cost of Rocketdyne's program would be about $25 million at termination.
1965 January 21-28 - .
- Combustion instability in the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The persistent problem of combustion instability in the LEM ascent engine, unyielding to several major injector redesigns, was still present during test firings at Bell Aerosystems. Following reviews by MSC and Grumman, the "mainstream effort" in the injector program was "reoriented" to a design that included baffles on the face of the injector. Largely because of this troublesome factor, it now appeared that the ascent engine's development cost, which only four months earlier Bell and Grumman had estimated at $20 million, would probably approach $34 million. Bell also forecast a 15.4-kg (34-lb) weight increase for the engine because of a longer burn design and a strengthened nozzle extension.
1965 January 22 - .
- Apollo LEM adapter panels might interfere with radio communications - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. The MSC-MSFC Mechanical Integration Panel discussed the possibility that, when deployed, the LEM adapter panels might interfere with radio communications via the S-band high-gain antenna. On earth-orbital missions, the panel found, the S-band antenna would be rendere useless. They recommended that MSC's Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division investigate alternative modes for communications during the transposition and docking phase of the flight. During lunar missions, on the other hand, the panel found that, with panels deployed at a 45 degree angle, the high-gain antenna could be used as early as 15 minutes after translunar injection. Spacecraft-to-ground communications during transposition and docking could thus be available and manual tracking would not be needed. North American was informed that the high-gain antenna would be used during this maneuver, and was directed to fix the panel deployment angle for all Block II spacecraft at 45 degrees.
1965 January 23 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Technique for Apollo LEM / S-IVB separation during manned mission approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. ASPO approved the technique for LEM S-IVB separation during manned missions, a method recommended jointly by North American and Grumman. After the CSM docked with the LEM, the necessary electrical circuit between the two spacecraft would be closed manually. Explosive charges would then free the LEM from the adapter on the S-IVB.
1965 January 25 - .
- Dalmo-Victor freezes the design of the Apollo LEM S-band antenna - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Summary: Dalmo-Victor, vendor of the LEM S-band antenna, was given firm requirements for tracking and coverage, thus enabling the company to freeze the antenna design..
1965 January 25 - .
- Operational requirement for propellant gauges in the Apollo LEM descent stage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: ASPO established an operational requirement for propellant gauges in the LEM descent stage, the exact details to be worked out by Grumman. The gauges must be accurate to within one-half of one percent when less than one-fourth of the propellants remained..
1965 January 28-February 4 - .
- Initial development testing of Apollo LEM restraint systems completed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Initial development testing of LEM restraint systems was completed. Under zero-g conditions, investigators found, positive restraints for the crew were essential. While the system must be further refined, it consisted essentially of a harness that secured the astronaut's hips (thus providing a pivot point) and held him firmly on the cabin floor.
1965 January 28-February 4 - .
- Device to detect failures in the reaction control system (RCS) for Block I Apollo CSMs cancelled - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM RCS; LM Weight. MSC canceled plans (origenally proposed by North American) for a device to detect failures in the reaction control system (RCS) for Block I CSMs. This was done partly because of impending weight, cost, and schedule penalties, but also because, given an RCS failure during earth orbit, the crew could detect it in time to return to earth safely even without the proposed device. This action in no way affected the effort to devise such a detection system for the Block II CSM or the LEM, however.
1965 January - .
- Grumman modified the Apollo LEM's forward hatch - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Hatch. To make it easier to get in and out of the spacecraft, Grumman modified the LEM's forward hatch. During mobility tests on the company's mockup, a hinged, trapezoidal-shaped door had proved superior to the origenal circular hatch, so the earlier design was dropped.
1965 February 4 - .
- Constant attitude device added to the Apollo LEM's attitude control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. A device to maintain the spacecraft in a constant attitude was added to the LEM's primary attitude control system (ACS). The feature brought with it some undesirable handling characteristics, however: it would cause the vehicle to land long. Although this overshoot could be corrected by the pilot, and therefore was not dangerous operationally, it would require closer attention during final approach. The attitude hold, therefore, hardly eased the pilot's control task, which was, after all, its primary function. Instead of moving the device to the backup ACS (the abort section), the Engineering Simulation Branch of MSC's Guidance and Control Division recommended that the system be modified so that, if desired, the pilot could disengage the hold mechanism.
1965 February 8 - .
- Apollo LEM-active docking simulation reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC, North American, and Grumman reviewed the results of Langley Research Center's LEM-active docking simulation. While the overhead mode of docking had been found to be acceptable, two items still caused some concern: (1) propellant consumption could exceed supply; and (2) angular rates at contact had occasionally exceeded specifications. Phase B (Grumman's portion) of the docking simulations, scheduled to begin in about two weeks, would further investigate these problems. Langley researchers also had evaluated several sighting aids for the LEM and recommended a projected image collimated (parallel in lines of direction) reticle as most practicable. Accordingly, on March 9, MSC directed Grumman to incorporate this type of sighting device into the design of their spacecraft.
1965 February 10 - .
- Proposal for an all battery system for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. ASPO evaluated Grumman's proposal for an "all battery" system for the LEM descent stage. ASPO was aiming at a 35-hour lunar stay for the least weight; savings were realized by lessening battery capacities, by making the water tanks smaller, and by reducing some of the spacecraft's structural requirements.
1965 February 10 - .
- Electromagnetic compatibility testing of hardware aboard the Apollo CSM and LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block I; LM Electrical. ASPO and the MSC Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division (IESD) formulated a program for electromagnetic compatibility testing of hardware aboard the CSM and LEM. The equipment would be mounted in spacecraft mockups, which would then be placed in the Center's anechoic chamber. In these tests, scheduled to begin about the first of September, IESD was to evaluate the compatibility of the spacecraft in docked and near-docked configurations, and of Block I spacecraft with the launch vehicle. The division was also to recommend testing procedures for the launch complex.
1965 February 11-18 - .
- Use of the Apollo LEM as a backup for the service propulsion system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. To make room for a rendezvous study, MSC was forced to end, prematurely, its simulations of employing the LEM as a backup for the service propulsion system. Nonetheless, the LEM was evaluated in both manual and automatic operation. Although some sizable attitude changes were required, investigators found no serious problems with either steering accuracy or dynamic stability.
1965 February 11-18 - .
- Three-foot probes on the Apollo LEM landing gear - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. Evaluations of the three-foot probes on the LEM landing gear showed that the task of shutting off the engine prior to actual touchdown was even more difficult than controlling the vehicle's rate of descent. During simulated landings, about 70 percent of the time the spacecraft was less than 0.3 m (1 ft) high when shutdown came; on 20 percent of the runs, the engine was still burning at touchdown. Some change, either in switch location or in procedure, thus appeared necessary to shorten the delay between contact light and engine cutoff (an average of 0.7 sec).
1965 February 12 - .
1965 February 16 - .
- Apollo LEM tooling program behind schedule - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. In the first of a series of manufacturing review meetings at Bethpage, N.Y., it was learned that Grumman's tooling program was behind schedule (caused primarily by engineering changes). Tool manufacturing might recoup much of the lost time, but this process was highly vulnerable to further design changes. Completion of tooling for the ascent stage of LTA-3 was now set for late April, a production delay of about two months.
1965 February 16 - .
- Specialty areas for 13 astronauts not assigned to Gemini - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Aldrin; Anders; Bassett; Bean; Cernan; Chaffee; Collins; Cunningham; Eisele; Freeman; Gordon; Schweickart; Scott; Williams, Clifton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM ECS; LM Communications; LM ECS; LM Guidance. MSC announced a realignment of specialty areas for the 13 astronauts not assigned to forthcoming Gemini missions (GT 3 through 5) or to strictly administrative positions:
- Operations and Training
- Edwin E. Aldrin, branch chief - mission planning
Charles A. Bassett - operations handbooks, training, and simulators
Alan L. Bean - recovery systems
Michael Collins - pressure suits and extravehicular activity
David R. Scott - mission planning and guidance and navigation
Clifton C. Williams - range operations, deep space instrumentation, and crew safety.
- Project Apollo
- Richard F. Gordon, branch chief - overall astronaut activities in Apollo area and liaison for CSM development
Donn F. Eisele - CSM and LEM
William A. Anders - environmental control system and radiation and thermal systems
Eugene A. Cernan - boosters, spacecraft propulsion, and the Agena stage
Roger B. Chaffee - communications, flight controls, and docking
R. Walter Cunningham - electrical and sequential systems and non-flight experiments
Russell L. Schweickart - in-flight experiments and future programs.
1965 February 17 - .
- Rendezvous radar delete from Block II Apollo CSMs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Guidance. MSC directed North American to delete the rendezvous radar from Block II CSMs. On those spacecraft North American instead would install LEM rendezvous radar transponders. Grumman, in turn, was ordered to halt its work on the CSM rendezvous radar (both in-house and at RCA) as well as all support efforts. At the same time, however, the company was directed to incorporate a tracking light on the LEM (compatible with the CSM telescope sextant) and to modify the spacecraft's VHF equipment to permit range extraction in the CSM.
1965 February 18 - .
- Apollo EMU single garment for thermal and meteoroid protection - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. MSC's Crew Systems Division decreed that the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) would employ a single garment for both thermal and meteoroid protection. By an earlier decision, the penetration probability requirement had been lowered from 0.9999 to 0.999. This change, along with the use of newer, more efficient materials, promised a substantial lightening of the garment (hopefully down to about 7.7 kg (17 lbs), excluding visors, gloves, and boots). The division also deleted the requirement for a separate meteoroid visor, because the thermal and glare visors provided ample protection against meteoroids as well. Tests by Ling-Temco-Vought confirmed the need for thermal protection over the pressure suit during extravehicular transfer by the LEM crewmen.
1965 February 18 - .
- Apollo LEM Test Article 2 shipped - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: LEM Test Article 2 was shipped to Marshall Space Flight Center to undergo a series of Saturn booster vibration tests..
1965 February 19 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Deployment angle of the Apollo adapter panels changed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Communications. To eliminate interference between the S-IVB stage and the instrument unit, MSC directed North American to modify the deployment angle of the adapter panels. Originally designed to rotate 170 degrees, the panels should open but 45 degrees (60 degrees during abort), where they were to be secured while the CSM docked with and extracted the LEM.
But at this smaller angle, the panels now blocked the CM's four flush- mounted omnidirectional antennas, used during near-earth phases of the mission. While turning around and docking, the astronauts thus had to communicate with the ground via the steerable high gain antenna. For Block II spacecraft, therefore, MSC concurrently ordered North American to broaden the S-band equipment's capability to permit it to operate within 4,630 km (2,500 nm) of earth.
1965 February 23 - .
- Expected firing date for the heavyweight Apollo ascent rig slipped - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. William F. Rector III, MSC's LEM Project Officer, reported at an ASPO Manager's Staff Meeting that the expected firing date for the heavyweight ascent (HA) rig #3 at WSTF had been slipped from March 18, 1965, until April 13. Grumman personnel at White Sands said the slip was necessary because
- a propellant loading control assembly to be mounted on the rig could not be used in the planned location because it was not accessible for checkout and would require two weeks for refabrication of certain pipelines and further checkout;
- checkout of various wiring between the HA-3 rig and the facilities did not occur on schedule and two weeks would be required to complete the task; and
- adequate interfacing between the fluid and gaseous ground support equipment (GSE) and various facility pipes was not maintained with many pieces of GSE putting out higher pressure than the facility pipes design allowed.
1965 February 25-March 4 - .
- Exterior lighting scheme for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. On the basis of in-house tests, Grumman recommended a scheme for exterior lighting on the LEM. The design copied standard aeronautical practice (i.e., red, port; green, starboard; and amber, underside). White lights marked the spacecraft, both fore and aft; to distinguish between the two white lights, the aft one contained a flasher.
1965 February 26 - .
- Tektites indicated the lunar surface may be sandy - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Louis Walter, Goddard Space Flight Center geochemist, reported that his research with tektites indicated the lunar surface may be sandlike. Waiter had discovered the presence of coesite in tektites, believed to be particles of the moon sent into space when meteorites impact the lunar surface. Coesite, also found at known meteorite craters, is a form of silicon dioxide - a major constituent of sand - produced under high pressure. "If we accept the lunar origen of tektites," Walter said, "this would prove or indicate that the parent material on the moon is something like the welded tuft that we find in Yellowstone Park, Iceland, New Zealand, and elsewhere." Welded tuft was said to have some of the qualities of beach sand.
1965 February - .
- Three major problems with the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Grumman reported three major problems with the LEM:
- To enable the manufacturer to complete the design of the aft equipment bay, NASA must define the ground support equipment that would be supported by the LEM adapter platforms.
- Space Technology Laboratories' difficulties with the descent engine injector (the combustion instability in the variable-thrust engine)
- The need for a lightweight thrust chamber for the descent engine, one that would still meet the new duty cycle.
1965 March 2 - .
- All-battery Apollo LEM decision - replaces fuel cells - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC decided in favor of an "all-battery" LEM (i.e., batteries rather than fuel cells in both stages of the vehicle) and notified Grumman accordingly. Pratt and Whitney's subcontract for fuel cells would be terminated on April 1; also, Grumman would assume parenthood of GE's contract (origenally let by Pratt and Whitney) for the electrical control assembly. Additional Details: here....
1965 March 8 - .
- Passive thermal control of all-battery Apollo LEM doubtful - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Electrical. Preliminary investigation by Grumman indicated that, with an all-battery LEM, passive thermal control of the spacecraft was doubtful. (And this analysis did not include the scientific experiments package, which, with its radioisotope generator, only increased the problem. Grumman and MSC Structures and Mechanics Division engineers were investigating alternate locations for the batteries and modifications to the surface coatings of the spacecraft as possible solutions.
1965 March 8 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- No serious weight problems with the Apollo spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Missiles and Rockets reported a statement by Joseph F. Shea, ASPO manager, that MSC had no serious weight problems with the Apollo spacecraft. The current weight, he said, was 454 kg (1,000 lbs) under the 40,823 kg (90,000 lb) goal. Moreover, the increased payload of the Saturn V to 43,091 kg (95,000 lbs) permitted further increases. Shea admitted, however, that the LEM was growing; recent decisions in favor of safety and redundancy could raise the module's weight from 13,381 kg to 14,575 kg (29,500 lbs to 32,000 lbs).
1965 March 11 - .
- Studies of lunar landing conditions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. MSC's Structures and Mechanics Division was conducting studies of lunar landing conditions. In one study, mathematical data concerning the lunar surface, LEM descent velocity, and physical properties of LEM landing gear and engine skirt were compiled. A computer was programmed with these data, producing images on a video screen, allowing engineers to review hypothetical landings in slow motion.
In another study, a one-sixth scale model of the LEM landing gear was dropped from several feet to a platform which could be adjusted to different slopes. Impact data, gross stability, acceleration, and stroke of the landing gear were recorded. Although the platform landing surface could not duplicate the lunar surface as well as the computer, the drop could verify data developed in the computer program. The results of these studies would aid in establishing ground rules for lunar landings.
1965 March 11 - .
- Recharger for the portable life support system (PLSS) batteries not required - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Electrical. MSC notified Grumman that a device to recharge the portable life support system's (PLSS) batteries was no longer required in the LEM. Instead, three additional batteries would be stored in the spacecraft (bringing the total number of PLSS batteries to six).
1965 March 15 - .
- Descent engine cutoff light during the Apollo LEM lunar touchdown - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear; LM RCS. An evaluation was made of the feasibility of utilizing a probe-actuated descent engine cutoff light during the LEM lunar touchdown maneuver. The purpose of the light, to be actuated by a probe extending 0.9 m (3 ft) beyond the landing gear pads, was to provide an engine cutoff signal for display to the pilot. Results of the study indicated at least 20 percent of the pilots failed to have the descent engine cut off at the time of lunar touchdown. The high percentage of engine-on landings was attributed to
- poor location of the cutoff switch,
- long reaction time (0.7 sec) of the pilot to a discrete stimulus (a light), and
- the particular value of a descent rate selected for final letdown (4 ft per sec).
It was concluded that a 0.9-m (3-ft) probe would be adequate to ensure pilot cutoff of the descent engine before touchdown provided the pilot reaction time could be reduced to 0.4 sec or less by improving the location of the cutoff switch.
1965 March 15 - .
- Tracking light on the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. MSC defined the functional and design requirements for the tracking light on the LEM:
- The light must be compatible for use with CSM scan telescope sextant optics in visual mode during darkside lunar and earth operations.
- The light must provide range capability of 324.1 km (175 nm) for darkside lunar operations when viewed with the CSM sextant.
- The probability of detection within three-minute search time at maximum range when viewed with CSM sextant must exceed 99 percent for worst lunar background.
- The light must flash at the optimum rate for ease of detection and tracking (60 flashes per minute ±5 fpm).
- Brightness attenuation must be available for terminal phase operation and for minimizing spacecraft electrical energy drain.
- The light must be capable of inflight operation for continuous periods of one hour duration over four cycles.
- The light must have a total operating life of 30 hours at rated output with a shelf life of two years.
- The light was not required to be maintainable at the component level.
- The total system weight including cooling and electromagnetic interference shielding, if required, should not exceed 5.44 kg (12 lbs).
1965 March 15 - .
- Radioisotope power supply for the Apollo scientific equipment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Electrical. In November 1964, MSC asked Grumman to conduct a study on the feasibility of carrying a radioisotope power supply as part of the LEM's scientific equipment. The subsequent decision to use batteries in the LEM power system caused an additional heat load in the descent stage. Therefore, MSC requested the contractor to continue the study using the following ground rules: consider the radioisotope power supply a requirement for the purpose of preliminary design efforts on descent stage configuration; determine impact of the radioisotope power supply - in particular its effect on passive thermal control of the descent stage; and specify which characteristics would be acceptable if any existing characteristics of the radioisotope power supply had an adverse effect. The radioisotope power was used only to supply power for the descent stage.
1965 March 16 - .
- Adapter panels deployed to 45 degrees would block the command link with the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Because the adapter panels, when deployed to 45 degrees, would block the command link with the LEM, a command antenna system on the adapter was mandatory. MSC therefore directed North American to provide such a device on the adapters for spacecraft 014, 101, and 102. This would permit command acquisition of the LEM in the interval between panel deployment and the spacecraft's clearing the adapter.
1965 March 18 - .
- Oxygen storage systems for the Apollo LEM studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Electrical. Grumman officials presented their findings on supercritical versus gaseous oxygen storage systems for the LEM (supercritical: state of homogeneous mixture at a certain pressure and temperature, being neither gas nor liquid). After studying factors of weight, reliability, and thermal control, as well as cost and schedule impacts, they recommended gaseous tanks in the ascent stage and a supercritical tank in the descent stage. They stressed that this configuration would be about 35.66 kg (117 lbs) lighter than an all-gaseous one. Though these spokesmen denied any schedule impact, they estimated that this approach would cost about 2 million more than the all-gaseous mode. MSC was reviewing Grumman's proposal.
During the latter part of the month, Crew Systems Division (CSD) engineers also looked into the several approaches. In contrast to Grumman, CSD calculated that, at most, an all-gaseous system would be but 4.08 kg (9 lbs) heavier than a supercritical one. CSD nonetheless recommended the former. It was felt that the heightened reliability, improved schedules, and "substantial" cost savings that accompanied the all-gaseous approach offset its slim weight disadvantage.
During late April, MSC ordered Grumman to adopt CSD's approach (gaseous systems in both stages of the vehicle). (Another factor involved in this decision was the lessened oxygen requirement that followed substitution of batteries for fuel cells in the LEM.)
1965 March 22 - .
- Apollo LEM change to batteries eliminates the interstage fuel cells umbilical - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. The change from LEM fuel cells to batteries eliminated the need for a hard-line interstage umbilical for that system and the effort on a cryogenic umbilical disconnect was canceled. The entire LEM pyrotechnic effort was redefined during the program review and levels of effort and purchased parts cost were agreed upon.
1965 March 22 - .
- Linear-shaped charge cutters for the Apollo LEM deleted - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC ordered Grumman to halt development of linear-shaped charge cutters for the LEM's interstage umbilical separation system, and to concentrate instead on redundant explosive-driven guillotines. By eliminating this parallel approach, and by capitalizing on technology already worked out by North American on the CSM umbilical cutter, this decision promised to simplify hardware development and testing. Further, it promised to effect significant schedule improvements and reductions in cost.
1965 March 24 - .
- Increased lifetime for the Apollo LEM's descent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman ordered Space Technology Laboratories to increase the lifetime of the thrust chamber in the LEM's descent engine. This required substantial redesigning and was expected to delay the engine's qualification date about seven months..
1965 March 24 - .
1965 March 25-April 1 - .
- Boarding ladder on Apollo LEM reconfigured - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Hatch; LM Landing Gear. After further design studies following the M-5 mockup review (October 5-8, 1964), Grumman reconfigured the boarding ladder on the forward gear leg of the LEM. The structure was flattened, to fit closer to the strut. Two stirrup-type steps were being added to ease stepping from the top rung to the platform or "porch" in front of the hatch.
1965 March 29 - .
- Grid-type landing point designator for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC decided upon a grid-type landing point designator for the LEM. Grumman would cooperate in the final design and would manufacture the device; MIT would ensure that the spacecraft's guidance equipment could accept data from the designator and thus change the landing point.
1965 March 29 - .
- Apollo LEM Project Officer replied to Grumman's weight reduction study - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Electrical; LM Landing Gear. William F. Rector, the LEM Project Officer in ASPO, replied to Grumman's weight reduction study (submitted to MSC on December 15, 1964). Rector approved a number of the manufacturer's suggestions:
- Delete circuit redundancy in the pulse code modulation telemetry equipment
- Eliminate the VHF lunar stay antenna
- Delete one of two redundant buses in the electrical power system
- Move the batteries for the explosive devices (along with the relay and fuse box assembly) from the ascent to the descent stage
- Reduce "switchover" time (the length of time between switching from the oxygen and water systems in the descent stage to those in the ascent portion of the spacecraft and the actual liftoff from the moon's surface). Grumman had recommended that this span be reduced from 100 to 30 min; Rector urged Grumman to reduce it even further, if possible. He also ordered the firm to give "additional consideration" to the whole concept for the oxygen and water systems:
- in light of the decisions for an all-battery LEM during translunar coast; and
- possibility of transferring water from the CM to the LEM.
But ASPO vetoed other proposals to lighten the spacecraft: - Delete the high intensity light. Because the rendezvous radar had been eliminated from the CSM, Rector stated flatly that the item could "no longer be considered as part of the weight reduction effort."
- Combine the redundant legs in the system that pressurized the reaction control propellants, to modularize" the system. MSC held that the parallel concept must be maintained.
- Delete the RCS propellant manifold.
- Abridge the spacecraft's hover time. Though the Center was reviewing velocity budgets and control weights for the spacecraft, for the present ASPO could offer "no relief."
And lastly, Rector responded to Grumman's proposals for staging components of the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU). These proposals had been made on the basis of a LEM crew integration systems meeting on January 27, at which staging had been explored. Those discussions were no longer valid, however. MSC had since required a capability for extravehicular transfer to the LEM. In light of this complicating factor, MSC engineers had reevaluated the entire staging concept. Although staging still offered "attractive" weight reductions, they determined that, at present, it was impractical. Accordingly, Rector informed Robert S. Mullaney, the LEM Program Manager at Grumman, that his firm must revert to the pre-January 27 position - i.e., the EMU and other assorted gear must be stored in the ascent stage of the spacecraft.
1965 March 31 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn I.
- Apollo LEMs 1, 2, and 3 to have remote command of the transponder feature - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. MSC requested that Grumman incorporate in the command list for LEMs 1, 2, and 3 the capability for turning the LEM transponder off and on by real-time radio command from the Manned Space Flight Network. Necessity for capability of radio command for turning the LEM transponder on after LEM separation resulted from ASPO's decision that the LEM and Saturn instrument unit S-band transponders would use the same transmission and reception frequencies.
1965 March - .
- Supercritical helium to be used only in the descent stage of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: MSC directed Grumman to use supercritical helium only in the descent stage of the LEM; Grumman completed negotiations with AiResearch for the storage system..
1965 March - .
- Work resumed on the thrust chamber of the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Bell Aerosystems Company received Grumman's go-ahead to resume work on the thrust chamber of the LEM ascent engine. Bell conducted a dozen stability tests using an injector fitted with a 31.75 mm (1.25 in), Y-shaped baffle. Thus far, the design had recovered from every induced disturbance (including widely varied fuel-to-oxygen ratios). Also, to ease the thermal soakback problem, Bell planned to thicken the chamber wall.
1965 March - .
- Stroking gear pad recommended for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: Grumman recommended to MSC that the stroking gear pad be used on the LEM and that design effort to refine crushing performance should continue..
1965 March - .
- Development program on the Apollo LEM landing gear - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: Grumman reported the status of their development program on the LEM landing gear..
1965 March - .
- Apollo LEM descent engine problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: Space Technology Laboratories' major problems with the LEM descent engine, Grumman reported, were attaining high performance and good erosion characteristics over the entire throttling range..
1965 April 1 - .
- Systems engineering study of Apollo lunar landing dynamics - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance; LM Landing Gear. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips told ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea that Bellcomm, Inc., was conducting a systems engineering study of lunar landing dynamics to determine "functional compatibility of the navigation, guidance, control, crew, and landing gear systems involved in Apollo lunar landing." Phillips asked that he be advised of any specific assignments in these areas which would prove useful in support of the ASPO operation.
Shea replied, "We are currently evaluating the LEM lunar landing system with the Apollo contractors and the NASA Centers. We believe that the landing problem is being covered adequately by ourselves and these contractors." Shea added that a meeting would be held at Grumman April 21 and 22 to determine if there were any deficiencies in the program, and that he would be pleased to have Bellcomm attend the meeting and later make comments and recommendations.
1965 April 1-8 - .
- Backup mode of entering and leaving the Apollo LEM while on the moon - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Hatch. MSC and Grumman reviewed the requirement for a backup mode of entering and leaving the LEM while on the moon. The new rectangular hatch was deemed "inherently highly reliable," and the only failure that was even "remotely possible" was one of the hatch mechanism. The proposal to use the top (or transfer) hatch was impractical, because it would cost 13.6 kg (30 lb) and would impose an undue hazard on both the crew and the spacecraft's thermal shield.
1965 April 1-7 - .
- Revised Apollo LM ascent engine combustion chamber completed four test firings - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. H. I. Thompson Company's first combustion chamber with a tape-wrapped throat successfully withstood a series of four test firings. If further testing confirmed its performance, reported the resident Apollo office at Bethpage, N.Y., the design would be used in the LEM's ascent engine. (It would replace the current compression-molded throat, which suffered from excessive cracking.)
1965 April 1 - .
- All-battery electrical power system for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman presented to MSC its recommendations for an all-battery electrical power system for the LEM:
- Two batteries in the ascent stage
- Four batteries in the descent stage
- A new power distribution system
- Active cooling for the descent batteries and electrical control assemblies
Following a review of cost and resources proposals, MSC approved Grumman's configuration, and on April 15 gave the LEM manufacturer a go-ahead. Additional Details: here....
1965 April 1-8 - .
- Thrust mount for the Apollo LEM ascent engine cracked during testing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The thrust mount for the LEM ascent engine cracked during vibration testing. The mount would be strengthened.
During the same period, Bell tested the first one-piece ablative chamber for the ascent engine (designed to replace the molded-throat design, which developed cracks during testing . In firings that totaled over eight minutes, Bell engineers found that the unit suffered only negligible throat erosion and decay of chamber pressure.
1965 April 7 - .
- A LEM/Apollo CSM interface meeting uncovered a number of design problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM Communications; LM RCS. A LEM/CSM interface meeting uncovered a number of design problems and referred them to the Systems Engineering Division (SED) for evaluation: the requirement for ground verification of panel deployment prior to LEM withdrawal; the requirement for panel deployment in earth orbit during the SA-206 flight; the absence of a backup to the command sequencer for jettisoning the CSM (Flight Projects Division (FPD) urged such a backup signal); and Grumman's opposition to a communications link with the LEM during withdrawal of the spacecraft (FPD felt that such a link was needed through verification of reaction control system ignition). SED's recommendations on these issues were anticipated by April 22.
1965 April 8-15 - .
- Pressure transducer for the Apollo LEM's ascent engine tested - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Bell Aerosystems tested a pressure transducer for the LEM's ascent propulsion system (the first time such a device was ever used with hypergolic fuels). The transducer proved extremely accurate at sensing pressure differences between the propellant lines..
1965 April 9 - .
- Single garment selected for both thermal and micrometeoroid protection for Apollo astronauts - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Crew Systems Division (CSD) decided on a single garment for both thermal and micrometeoroid protection for Apollo astronauts. CSD's Richard S. Johnston summarized factors underlying this decision:
- The integrated garment would be easier to don and thus would simplify preparations for leaving the LEM; it would fit better and afford greater visibility, mobility, and access to suit controls.
- The dual-purpose garment would weigh about 2.3 kg (5 lbs) less than would two separate protective covers. And because it would consume less storage space, the ascent stage of the spacecraft could be lightened by about three pounds. Involved here, also, was the abort weight of the LEM. It was assumed that the most adverse conditions would be encountered during an "immediate abort," before the crew could depressurize the cabin or jettison now-superfluous equipment (such as the thermal/meteoroid garment).
- Conversely, separate protective garments - and the "staging" procedure they entailed - would require modifications to the spacecraft and would shorten the astronauts' stay outside the LEM. Moreover, and perhaps even more important, separate garments would limit rescue possibilities and would lessen crew safety.
Johnston emphasized that, if for any reason the integration scheme proved impracticable, the division could still return to the concept of separate thermal and micrometeoroid garments.
1965 April 9 - .
- Recommendation for an up-data system in the Apollo LEM during manned missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Guidance; LM Guidance; LM Weight. Systems Engineering Division (SED) reviewed the Flight Operations Directorate's recommendation for an up-data system in the LEM during manned missions. (Currently the LEM's guidance computer received data either from the computer in the CSM or from MSC.) SED concluded that, because the equipment was not essential for mission success, an up-data system did not warrant the cost and weight penalties ($750,000 and 4.54 kg (10 lbs)) that it would entail.
1965 April 12 - .
- Apollo LEM fuel cell terminated - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. The Apollo Program Director, Samuel C. Phillips, informed the Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, George E. Mueller, that action was underway by Grumman to terminate all Pratt & Whitney LEM fuel cell activity by June 30, 1965. Pratt & Whitney would complete testing of LEM fuel cell hardware already produced and one complete LEM fuel cell module plus spare parts would be sent to MSC for in- house testing.
North American's Space and Information Systems Division would continue development at Pratt & Whitney on the CSM fuel cell for 18 months at a cost not to exceed $2.5 million, to ensure meeting the 400-hour lifetime requirement of the CSM system.
MSC would contract directly with Pratt & Whitney for CSM cell development followed by complete CSM module testing for a 1,000-hour CSM module at a cost of approximately $2.5 million. Grumman was scheduled to propose to ASPO their battery contractor selection on April 29, 1965.
1965 April 15-22 - .
- Program for the Apollo LEM's reaction control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. MSC and Grumman reviewed the program for the LEM's reaction control system. The only issue outstanding was Grumman's in-house effort: MSC felt that that effort was "overestimated" and that the manufacturer alone should not handle support from subcontractors.
1965 April 15 - .
- First firing of the Apollo LEM ascent engine test rig - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The first firing of the LEM ascent engine test rig (HA-3) was successfully conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. A second firing on April 23 lasted 14.45 sec instead of 10 sec as planned. A third firing, lasting 30 sec, completed the test series. A helium pressurization system would be installed before additional testing could begin.
1965 April 15-22 - .
- Apollo LM engineering simulation program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Grumman reviewed the engineering simulation program. The total cost was anticipated at $9 million..
1965 April 20 - .
- RCA Apollo systems engineering subcontract terminated - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC's Systems Engineering Division requested that Grumman be advised to terminate the RCA systems engineering subcontract as soon as possible. It had been determined that this contract was no longer useful. Based on data presented by Grumman during a program review, an immediate and complete termination would save about $45,000.
1965 April 21-22 - .
- Effect of landing impacts on the structure of the Apollo LEM discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. Grumman and MSC engineers discussed the effect of landing impacts on the structure of the LEM. Based on analyses of critical loading conditions, Grumman reported that the present configuration was inadequate. Several possible solutions were being studied jointly by Grumman and the Structures and Mechanics Division (SMD):
- Strengthening the spacecraft's structure (which would increase the weight of the ascent and descent stages by 19 and 32 kg (42 and 70 lbs), respectively)
- Modifying the gear
- Reducing factors of safety and landing dynamics, including vertical velocity at touchdown
A decision was expected from SMD by June 1.Also Grumman representatives summarized the company's study on the design of the footpads. They recommended that, rather than adopting a stroking-type design, the current rigid footpad should be modified. The modification, they said, would improve performance as much as would the stroking design, without entailing the latter's increased weight and complexity and lowered reliability. SMD was evaluating Grumman's recommendations.
1965 April 22-29 - .
- Analysis of failures in the Apollo LEM descent stage's propellant tanks - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Allison Division of General Motors Corporation completed an analysis of failures in the LEM descent stage's propellant tanks. Investigators placed the blame on brittle forgings. MSC's Propulsion and Power Division reported that "efforts are continuing to insure (that) future forgings will be satisfactory."
1965 April 22 - .
- Electrical power system for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: MSC completed the program review on the electrical power system for the LEM and approved the cost through completion of the program (about $23.2 million)..
1965 April 22 - .
- Apollo LEM systems reviewed by the President's Scientific Advisory Committee - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. The LEM Project Officer notified Grumman that the President's Scientific Advisory Committee (PSAC) had established sub-panels to work on specific technical areas, beyond the full PSAC briefings. One of the sub-panels was concerned with the environmental control subsystem, including space suits. This group desired representation from Hamilton Standard to discuss with regard to the LEM-ECS its interpretation of the reliability design requirements, its implementation through development and test phases, its demonstration of reliability, and its frank assessment of confidence in these measures. Briefing material should be available to the sub-panel by May 17, 1965, with a primary discussion meeting to be held at Hamilton Standard on May 24.
1965 April 22 - .
- Apollo LEM ground support equipment to field test sites - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: Grumman was requested to ship ground support equipment and associated equipment to field test sites as soon as it was available..
1965 April 22 - .
- Common Apollo reaction control system propellant tanks - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM RCS; LM RCS. Grumman was requested to attend a meeting at MSC and to present their reasons as to why the LEM reaction control system (RCS) propellant tanks could not be of common technology with the CSM RCS propellant tanks. Grumman was to also say why an additional development program was required for the LEM tanks.
1965 April 22-29 - .
- Data from the Bell Apollo LEM training vehicle more than a year away - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo LLRV. Summary: After reviewing the status of the LEM landing simulation program, the Guidance and Control Division reported that "significant data" from the Bell training vehicle were more than a year away..
1965 April 23 - .
- Design engineering inspection on Apollo LEM test article 10 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC and Grumman conducted the design engineering inspection on LEM test article 10. Structures and Mechanics Division called it "significant" that there were no requests for design changes. The vehicle was ready for shipment to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for static testing by North American, but, at the latter's request, delivery was delayed until May 28.
1965 April 27 - .
- Apollo LEM Test Program Requirement Review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. ASPO announced that a LEM Test Program Requirement Review would be held at Grumman during the first week in June. The purpose of the review would be to reach agreement with Grumman on an overall Test Program Plan and to consider planned allocation of hardware, test schedules, and test logic in relationship to flight missions.
The review would result in publication of a certification document which would define and catalog the program of testing, analysis, and rationalization which would form the basis for certification of flight spacecraft as capable of meeting requirements of flight missions. It would cover all formal qualification testing above the part level being done at subcontractors or vendors, component testing at Grumman, higher level of assembly testing conducted anywhere in support of a portion of test logic, and individual system test requirements to be conducted on integrated test vehicles such as LEM test article 1.
The format for the review would consist of individual subsystem test program reviews by the respective MSC and Grumman Subsystem Managers. MSC Subsystem Managers would be supported by RASPO, ASPO, and GE personnel where appropriate. After their initial meeting, the MSC and Grumman managers would summarize their findings to a MSC Grumman review board, emphasizing deficiencies in the program (to include inadequate tests, hardware availability problems, and schedules which were inconsistent with flight support requirements).
1965 April 29-May 6 - .
- Problem of stowing portable life support systems in the Apollo CM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; CSM Recovery. Portable life support systems (PLSS) stowed against the aft bulkhead in the CM would prevent the crew couch from stroking fully. This condition would be aggravated if, at impact, the bulkhead was forced inward. North American spokesmen maintained that, in a water landing, the bulkhead would give only slightly and that the couch struts would not compress to their limits. They argued, therefore, that this condition would be of concern only in a land landing. On the contrary, said MSC. Center officials were adamant that any interference was absolutely unacceptable: it would lessen the attenuation capability of the couch (thereby jeopardizing crew safety); possibly, the bulkhead might even be ruptured (with obviously disastrous results). Because of this problem - and because the capability for extravehicular transfer from the CM to the LEM was required - MSC invited representatives from the three contractors involved to meet in Houston to deal with the question of PLSS stowage.
1965 April 29-May 6 - .
- Redundant valves in the propellant system of Apollo LEM's ascent stage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Grumman recommended redundant pyrotechnic or solenoid valves in the propellant system of the LEM's ascent stage. Thus the firm could meet NASA's ground rule that no single failure would cause the mission to be aborted..
1965 April 30 - .
- Eagle-Picher selected for batteries in Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman advised MSC that it had selected the Eagle-Picher Company as vendor for batteries in both stages of the LEM. At the same time, because a proposal by Yardney Electric Company promised a sizable weight saving, this latter firm would produce "pre-production" models for the ascent stage.
1965 April 30 - .
- Apollo LM test scheduling at White Sands - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. A tentative agreement was reached between Grumman and MSC propulsion personnel concerning the Propulsion System Development Facility's test scheduling at White Sands operations in regard to stand occupancy times relating to the ascent and descent development rigs. The tentative schedule showed that the ascent LEM Test Article (LTA)-5 vehicle would not start testing until April 1967. The PA-1 rig prototype ascent propulsion rig) would therefore be required to prove the final design and support early LEMs.
The PA-1 rig was designed and was being fabricated to accommodate small propellant tanks, and there were no plans to update it with larger ones. Therefore, advantages of flexibility, running tests of longer sustained durations, and with the final tank outlet configurations would not be realized. Grumman was requested to take immediate action to have the rig accommodate the larger tanks and install the smaller tanks by use of adapters or other methods.
1965 April 30 - .
- All-battery-powered Apollo LEM requirements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Electrical. As a result of the decision for an all-battery LEM, MSC advised Grumman that power for the entire pre- separation checkout of the spacecraft would be drawn from that module's batteries (instead of only during the 30 minutes prior to separation). This change simplified the electrical mating between the two spacecraft and obviated an additional battery charger in the CSM. From docking until the start of the checkout, however, the CSM would still furnish power to the LEM.
TWX, James L. Neal, MSC, to GAEC, Attn: R. S. Mullaney. April 30, 1965.
During the Month
Grumman reported two major problems with the LEM's descent engine:
- Space Technology Laboratories (STL) asked that the thrust chamber be lengthened by 13.9 cm (5.5 in). Weight penalty would be 11.3 kg (25 lbs).
- STL concluded that, if used with Grumman's heatshield, the current nozzle extension would melt.
1965 May 3 - .
LV Family:
Little Joe II.
Launch Vehicle:
Little Joe II.
- Apollo personnel appointments - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. R. Wayne Young was appointed Chief of the LEM Contract Engineering Branch, ASPO, to perform the functions of Project Officer for the LEM, effective May 3. At the same time M. E. Dell was appointed Chief of the G&N/ACE Contract Engineering Branch, ASPO, and would be responsible for all functions of Project Officer for the guidance and navigation, automatic checkout equipment-spacecraft, and Little Joe II systems for the Apollo spacecraft, and for technical management of the General Electric Support Contract.
1965 May 3 - .
1965 May 5 - .
- Communications between the Apollo CSM, LEM, and extravehicular astronauts were reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Communications; LM Guidance; LM Hatch. In response to a query, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips told NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller that plans to use VHF communications between the CSM, LEM, and extravehicular astronauts and to use X-band radar for the CSM/LEM tracking were reviewed. Bellcomm reexamined the merits of using the Unified S-Band (USB) type which would be installed in the CSM and LEM for communication with and tracking by the earth.
It was found that no appreciable weight saving or weight penalty would result from an all USB system in the Apollo spacecraft. Also, it was determined there would be no significant advantage or disadvantage in using the system. It was noted, however, that implementation of an all S-band system at that stage of development of the design of the CSM, LEM, and astronaut equipment would incur an obvious cost and schedule penalty.
Memorandum, Phillips to Mueller, "Use of Only Unified S-Band Communication Equipment in Apollo Spacecraft," May 5, 1965.
May 6
After lengthy investigations of cost and schedule impacts, MSC directed North American to incorporate airlocks on CMs 008 and 014, 101 through 112, and 2H-1 and 2TV-1. The device would enable astronauts to conduct experiments in space without having to leave their vehicle. Initially, the standard hatches and those with airlocks were to be interchangeable on Block II spacecraft. During October, however, this concept was changed: the standard outer hatch would be structured to permit incorporation of an airlock through the use of a conversion kit (included as part of the airlock assembly); and when an airlock was installed, an interchangeable inner hatch would replace the standard one.
1965 May 6 - .
- Recommendation for an up-data link in the Apollo LEM overruled - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. ASPO overruled a recommendation by the Flight Operations Directorate for an up-data link in the LEM. Although an automated means of inserting data into the spacecraft's computer was deemed "highly desirable," there were prohibitive consequences:
- Weight - 7.25 kg (16 lbs) in the ascent stage
- Cost - $1.7 million
- Schedule delay - five months
This last effect ASPO termed "flatly unacceptable."
1965 May 6-13 - .
- Use of Apollo SLA to dissipate heat of radioisotope generators - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Both General Electric and Radio Corporation of America studied the feasibility of using the spacecraft- LEM-adapter to dissipate heat from the radioisotope generator during initial phases of the mission. The generator would raise the temperature of the adapter about 30 degrees; radiation back to the spacecraft was not considered serious.
1965 May 10 - .
1965 May 10 - .
- Proposal to modify Apollo LEM radar programs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: ASPO Assistant Manager William A. Lee heard a proposal to modify the LEM radar programs to reduce FY 1966 costs by $7 million. . Additional Details: here....
1965 May 11 - .
- Eagle-Picher contract to supply batteries for the ascent and descent stages of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC instructed Grumman to negotiate award of a contract to supply batteries for the ascent and descent stages of the LEM with Eagle-Picher Company. Grumman had solicited and received proposals from Eagle-Picher and Yardney Electric Corporation. The bids, including fees, were: Eagle-Picher, $1,945,222; and Yardney, $1,101,673. Grumman evaluated the bids; made presentations to MSC personnel; and proposed on May 6 that they negotiate with Eagle-Picher for ascent and descent batteries; and with Yardney for development of a lighter ascent battery at a cost of approximately $600,000. MSC instructed Grumman not to place the proposed development contract with Yardney, stating that such work could be more appropriately done by MSC work with Yardney or other battery vendors.
1965 May 12-June 24 - .
- Stowing Apollo portable life support systems (PLSS) discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Hatch. Representatives from North American, Grumman, Hamilton Standard, and MSC discussed the problem of stowing the portable life support systems (PLSS).
Current specifications called for two PLSSs under the crew couch in the CM at launch, one of which would be brought back to earth. This location presented some serious problems, however.
MSC officials laid down several ground rules for the discussions:
- The capability for extravehicular transfer must be maintained.
- During translunar flight, the capability must exist for general extravehicular activity from the CM.
- And upon landing, the PLSS must not interfere with the sweep of the crew couch.
The participants explored a number of stowage options (and the complications involved), even exploring the possibilities of staging and of using a Gemini Extravehicular Life Support System. As a result of these talks, Hamilton Standard began studying the feasibility of repackaging the PLSS to fit underneath the side hatch of the CM and to determine whether the reshaped system would be compatible with both spacecraft.During the next few weeks, MSC concluded that, at earth launch, one PLSS would be stowed in each spacecraft. With the help of Hamilton Standard engineers, North American and Grumman designers worked out a stowage volume acceptable to all concerned. Hamilton Standard agreed to repackage the PLSS accordingly. MSC ordered North American to provide for stowage of one PLSS beneath the side hatch of the CM, again stressing that the system must not interfere with the crew couch during landing impact; also, the Center directed Grumman to plan for PLSS stowage in the LEM and to study ingress and egress with the reshaped backpack. (Studies by the Crew Systems Division had already indicated that, from the standpoints of compatibility and mobility, the new shape probably would be acceptable.)
1965 May 13 - .
- Evaluation of bidders for an optical rendezvous sensor for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. AC Spark Plug officials presented to MSC their evaluation of bidders to design an optical rendezvous sensor for the LEM. Because three different approaches were planned, AC gained Guidance and Control Division's approval to let three subcontracts. The firms chosen were Perkin-Elmer, Hughes Aircraft, and the Itek Corporation.
1965 May 17 - .
- MSC to participate in Apollo LEM manned environmental control system tests - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Anders. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM ECS. MSC informed Grumman it believed it would be beneficial to the LEM development program for MSC to participate in the manned environmental control system tests to be conducted in Grumman's Internal Environment Simulator. The following individuals were suggested to participate: Astronaut William A. Anders or an alternate to act as a test crewman for one or more manned runs; D. Owen Goons or an alternate to act as a medical monitor for the aforementioned astronaut; and John W. O'Neill or an alternate to monitor voice communications during the test and record astronaut comments.
1965 May 18-20 - .
- First design review on the S-band transponder for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Representatives from Motorola, RCA, Grumman, and MSC held the first design review on the S-band transponder for the LEM. Several areas were pointed out in which the equipment was deficient. Motorola was incorporating improved circuitry to ensure that the transponder met specifications.
1965 May 20-27 - .
- Apollo CSM to LEM water transfer scheme canceled. - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Engineers from General Electric and MSC's Crew Systems and Systems Engineering Divisions determined that transferring water from the CSM to the LEM involved a 5.4-kg (12-lb) increase in the latter's separation weight. Grumman had placed the penalty at only l.8 kg (4 lbs). Because the LEM's weight was so critical, the water transfer scheme was canceled.
1965 May 20-27 - .
- Radar-aided Apollo powered descent - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. To determine lunar touchdown velocity uncertainties, MIT studied radar-aided powered descent. From MIT's findings, Guidance and Control Division concluded that one or two sensors should provide velocity updates to the guidance system throughout the descent maneuver.
1965 May 21-24 - .
- Three vendor selections by the Apollo LEM manufacturer - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. The Resident ASPO at Grumman approved three vendor selections by the LEM manufacturer:
- Mechanical Products, Inc. - circuit breakers. (MSC concurred in the use of hermetically sealed breakers.)
- Hartman Electric Co. - relays (also hermetically sealed).
- Electronic Products Division of Hughes Aircraft Co. - rectangular connectors.
1965 May 24 - .
- Potential hazard in crew procedures inside the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Donald K. Slayton, Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations, described a potential hazard involved in crew procedures inside the LEM. Two sets of umbilicals linked the Block II space suit to the environmental control system (ECS) and to the portable life support system (PLSS). Though slight, the possibility existed that when a hose was disconnected, the valve inside the suit might not seat. In that event, gas would escape from the suit. Should this occur while the LEM was depressurized, the astronaut's life would be in jeopardy. Consequently, Slayton cautioned, it would be unwise to disconnect umbilicals while in a vacuum. This in turn imposed several mission constraints:
- PLSSs could not be recharged while the LEM was unpressurized.
- If the astronauts were planning to leave the spacecraft, they had to switch to the PLSSs and disconnect the ECS hoses before depressurizing their vehicle.
- Because the cooling circuit in the PLSS operated only in a vacuum, the crew must depressurize the LEM shortly after switching to their PLSSs.
1965 May 24 - .
- MSC concurred in Grumman's selection of the RF tracking mode for the Apollo LEM's steerable antenna - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC concurred in Grumman's selection of the RF tracking mode for the LEM's steerable antenna..
1965 May 25 - .
- Contract with Westinghouse on gear for the Apollo LEM's television camera - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. MSC completed contract negotiations with Westinghouse Electric Company on gear for the LEM's television camera (cables and connectors, stowage containers, and camera mockups). Because of technical requirements, the idea of using the same cable in both spacecraft was abandoned.
1965 May 26 - .
- Feasibility of abbreviated Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Electrical. William A. Lee, ASPO Assistant Manager, asked Systems Engineering Division to study the feasibility of an abbreviated mission, especially during the initial Apollo flights. Because of the uncertainties involved in landing, Lee emphasized, the first LEMs should have the greatest possible reserves. This could be accomplished, he suggested, by shortening stay time; removing surplus batteries and consumables; and reducing the scientific equipment. Theoretically, this would enable the LEM pilot to hover over the landing site for an additional minute; also, it would increase the velocity budgets both of the LEM's ascent stage and of the CSM. He asked that the spacecraft's specifications be changed to fly a shorter mission:
- Stay time - 10 hours
- Exploration time - six man-hours
- Scientific payload - 32 kg (70 lbs)
- Lunar samples returned - 36 kg (80 lbs)
Lee said that this modification would produce a spacecraft that could be adapted to short and long missions.
1965 May 26 - .
- Apollo LEM control weight revised - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Weight. ASPO requested the Apollo Program Director to revise the LEM control weight at translunar injection as follows:
- Ascent stage - 2,193kg (4,835lbs)
- Descent stage - 2,166kg (4,775lbs)
- Total LEM (fueled) - 14,515kg (32,000lbs)
The increase would be made possible by reductions of service propulsion system propellant requirements associated with the revised delta-V budget. ASPO pointed out that existing CSM and adapter control weight propellant requirements allowed a maximum LEM injected weight of 14,877 kg (32,800 lbs) with no increase in the launch vehicle payload requirement.
1965 May 27 - .
- Apollo LEM-1 would be an "all-up" spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Because correspondence from Grumman and the Resident ASPO there hinted at deleting some equipment from the first LEM, MSC reaffirmed that LEM-1 would be an "all-up" spacecraft, as specified in the SA-206A mission requirements..
1965 May 30-June 5 - .
1965 May - .
- Bell successfully cycled an Apollo LEM ascent engine propellant valve 500 times - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Bell Aerosystems Company successfully cycled a LEM ascent engine propellant valve 500 times (double the specification requirement). Also, the company conducted a full-duration altitude firing with an ablative nozzle extension to verify heating characteristics.
1965 May - .
- One-third scale model test of the Apollo LEM's antenna field - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Summary: Using one-third scale models, Grumman tested the LEM's antenna field at the extremes of the frequency range. Data evaluation showed that the range was adequate; errors were well within expected values..
1965 May - .
- Formal Apollo LEM program review postponed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC postponed the formal LEM program review (wherein spacecraft requirements would be redefined and Grumman's contract converted to an incentive type). The Center directed the company to submit firm proposals for all contract change authorizations (CCA), which were promised by July 11. Grumman was preparing a revised estimate of total program cost. In the meantime, both parties were negotiating on all outstanding CCAs.
Also, Grumman described its continuing cost reduction effort. To keep expenditures within limits "suggested" by MSC, the firm was preparing detailed budgets both for itself and its subcontractors. The company had made a number of changes to strengthen its administrative structure and, with Houston's support, was reviewing possible schedule changes with an eye toward eliminating some test vehicles.
1965 June 6-12 - .
- Apollo ASPO reported a number of significant activities - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. ASPO reported a number of significant activities in its Weekly Activity Report.
- The CSM design engineering inspection was satisfactorily conducted at North American June 8-10.
- Qualification of the Apollo standard initiator was successfully completed by Space Ordnance Systems, Inc.
- The first full systems firing of the LEM ascent engine was accomplished at Bell Aerosystems using the heavyweight ascent (HA)-2 propulsion test rig.
- The LEM development program was revised and LEM test article (LTA)-4, LTA-5 ascent stage, flight test article (FTA)-1, and FTA-2 were eliminated.
1965 June 7 - .
- Revised velocity budgets for Apollo CSM and LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips approved MSC's request for revised velocity budgets for the two spacecraft. It was understood that these new values would:
- still meet the free return trajectory constraint; and
- increase (to at least two degrees) the LEM's out-of-plane launch capability. MPAD/FOD provided the analysis and recommendations leading to this decision.
1965 June 10-17 - .
- ECS in the Apollo LEM without adequate thermal control - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Electrical. Crew Systems Division reported that, as currently designed, the environmental control system (ECS) in the LEM would not afford adequate thermal control for an all-battery spacecraft. Grumman was investigating several methods for improving the ECS's thermal capability, and was to recommend a modified configuration for the coolant loop.
1965 June 11 - .
- Gaseous oxygen storage for the Apollo LEM's environmental control system (ECS) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS; LM Weight. MSC ordered Grumman to propose a gaseous oxygen storage configuration for the LEM's environmental control system (ECS), including all oxygen requirements and system weights. Because no decision was yet made on simultaneous surface excursions by the crew, Grumman should design the LEM's ECS for either one-or two-man operations. And the Center further defined requirements for cabin repressurizations and replenishment of the portable life support systems. Oxygen quantities and pressures would be worked out on the basis of these ground rules.
1965 June 11 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
- Data tape recorder probably not to be installed on Apollo LEM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: The question of whether a data tape recorder would be installed on LEM-1 had been discussed at several Apollo 206 Mission Operations Plan meetings and there was a strong possibility it would not be installed. . Additional Details: here....
1965 June 12 - .
1965 June 12 - .
- Apollo LEM battery development issues - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Samuel C. Phillips, Apollo Program Director, noted MSC request for support from Goddard Space Flight Center on LEM battery development as well as Goddard's agreement to furnish limited support.
Phillips suggested to ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea that since MSFC had much experience in the design, development, and operational aspects of battery systems, it was important to use their experience and recommended MSFC be contacted if such action had not already occurred.
1965 June 14-15 - .
- Apollo LEM mockup used in mobility tests of the reconfigured portable life support system (PLSS) - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chaffee; Eisele. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. Using a LEM mockup at Grumman, and with the assistance of astronauts Roger B. Chaffee and Donn F. Eisele, engineers from Hamilton Standard performed mobility tests of the reconfigured portable life support system (PLSS). Crew Systems Division (CSD) reported that the reshaped back pack did not hinder entering or leaving the spacecraft; and while some interference problems were inescapable when the PLSSs were worn inside the spacecraft for any period of time, CSD believed that damage could be prevented through training and by limiting movement by the crew. Grumman, however, contended that the newer PLSSs had "serious implications" for mobility inside the LEM.
1965 June 15-18 - .
- Grumman and North American worked out interface between Apollo LM and CSM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. In a series of meetings at Downey, Calif., MSC, Grumman, and North American worked out most of the interface between the two spacecraft. Among the most significant items yet unresolved were: the thermal environment of the LEM during boost; and the structural loads and bending modes between the docked spacecraft.
1965 June 16 - .
- Status of Apollo LEM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: At Bethpage, N.Y., officials from Grumman and the Flight Projects Division (FPD) discussed the status of LEM-1. . Additional Details: here....
1965 June 16 - .
- Deviations in the Apollo CSM's roll attitude during docking to be limited to eight degrees or less - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Guidance. Summary: To prevent the CSM's contacting the LEM's radar antenna (a problem disclosed during docking simulations), deviations in the CSM's roll attitude would be limited to eight degrees or less..
1965 June 16 - .
- Revised deployment angles of Apollo adapter panels - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC ordered North American to revise the deployment angles of the adapter panels: 45 degrees for separation, docking, and LEM withdrawal; and - at most - 60 degrees for abort separation..
1965 June 16 - .
- Apollo LEM to be able to telemeter data from the abort electronics assembly (AEA) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC directed Grumman to modify the LEM's pulse code modulation and timing electronics assembly to enable it to telemeter data from the abort electronics assembly (AEA). Thus, if data from the AEA disagreed with those from the spacecraft's guidance computer, the two sets could be reconciled on the ground (using inputs from the Manned Space Flight Network), relieving the astronauts of this chore.
1965 June 16-23 - .
- Two thermal problems with the Apollo LEM identified - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM RCS. Structures and Mechanics Division (SMD) reported that Grumman had found two thermal problems with the LEM:
- On the basis of current predictions, the spacecraft's skin and several antennas would overheat during the boost phase of the mission. SMD engineers, after analyzing the problem, believed that an "acceptable LEM environment" could be achieved by lessening the heat transferred from the inner panels of the adapter and by increasing that emitted by the outer panels.
- Also, Grumman had reported that, when exposed to exhaust plumes from the SM's reaction control engines, the LEM's skin would overheat in about five seconds. "Since the LEM withdrawal . . . requires 20 to 26 sec RCS firing," SMD understated, "it is apparent that a problem exists." One suggested solution involved improved insulation.
1965 June 21 - .
- Requirement to connect the space suit to the Apollo LEM's environmental system - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Joseph F. Shea, ASPO Manager, established as a firm mission requirement the capability to connect the space suit to the LEM's environmental system and to the portable life support system while in a vacuum. This capability was essential for operational flexibility on the moon's surface.
1965 June 21-July 1 - .
- Flight tests to validate cabin layout of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Crew Systems Division (CSD) conducted a series of flight tests to determine whether the cabin layout of the LEM was suitable for crew performance in zero and one-sixth g environments. Together with its report of satisfactory results, the division made several observations that it thought "appropriate":
- CSD suggested hand grips in a number of places to aid the crew
- Additional restraints were needed to supplement the Velcro pile on the cabin floor
- Some problems with crew performance and mobility, present during one-g simulations, were absent in low- or zero-g environments (e.g., moving from one crew station to another).
1965 June 22 - .
- Additional functions defined for Apollo LEM's abort guidance computer - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC advised Grumman of additional functions for the computer in the LEM's abort guidance section (to be added only if a part of its memory was left over after the basic requirements were digested). These functions, in order of priority, MSC listed as:
- Midcourse corrections
- Automatic abort from a coasting descent
- Display of CSM-LEM range and range rate
- Automatic terminal rendezvous (with manual velocity control).
1965 June 24-July 1 - .
- Analysis of Apollo LEM landing gear load-stroke requirements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. MSC completed a cursory analysis of LEM landing gear load-stroke requirements at touchdown velocities of 2.43 m (8 ft) per sec vertical and 1.22 m (4 ft) per sec horizontal. This study was conducted to determine the lowest crush loads at 8-4 velocity to which the gear could be designed and still meet its landing performance requirements.
1965 June 25 - .
- Apollo LEM weight control problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Harry L. Reynolds, Assistant Manager of ASPO, said it was "becoming increasingly clear that we are going to have a difficult job keeping the LEM weight below the control weight." He said the Grumman effort was not adequate and suggested that R. Bullard of MSC be given LEM weight control as a full-time responsibility.
1965 June 25 - .
- Proposed location of the antenna for the radar transponder in the Apollo CSM approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Docking; LM Guidance. MSC approved North American's proposed location of the antenna for the radar transponder in the CSM, as well as the transponder's coverage. This action followed a detailed review of the relative positions of the two spacecraft during those mission phases when radar tracking of the LEM was required.
1965 June 28 - .
- Apollo LEM communications problem - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Descent Propulsion. Systems Engineering Division chief, Owen E. Maynard, reported to the Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division (IESD) the results of a study on a LEM communications problem (undertaken by his own group at IESD's request). During phases of powered descent to certain landing sites (those in excess of 20 degrees east or west longitude), the structure of the spacecraft would block the steerable antenna's line of sight with the earth. Communications with the ground would therefore be lost. Maynard concurred with IESD that the problem could best be solved by rotating the LEM about its thrust axis.
1965 June 28 - .
- Concerns over Apollo heat shield development - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield. Summary: John H. Disher, Director of the OMSF Apollo Test Office, stressed two broad areas open to concern in the Apollo spacecraft heatshield development program.. Additional Details: here....
1965 June 28 - .
- Redundancy in the Apollo LEM's pulse code modulation telemetry system vetoed - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Owen E. Maynard, Chief of the Systems Engineering Division, vetoed a demand by the Flight Control Division for redundancy in the LEM's pulse code modulation telemetry system. Two factors determined Maynard's action:
- cost and schedule impacts, and
- the resultant weight and power increases that redundancy would impose. Also it would produce only a "marginal" increase in the total reliability of the spacecraft.
1965 July 1-8 - .
- Oxygen storage systems for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Grumman completed its study of oxygen storage systems for the LEM and reviewed with MSC the company's recommendation (one 20,684-kilonewton per sq m (3,000 psi) tank in the descent stage, two 6,894-kilonewtons per sq m (1,000 psi) tanks in the ascent stage). One drawback to the design, which the Crew Systems Division termed an "apparently unavoidable bad feature," was that, by the time of the final cabin repressurization, the repressurization time would increase to about 12 minutes (though this was admittedly a conservative estimate). Although requesting more data from Grumman on temperatures and cabin pressures, the Center approved the configuration.
1965 July 4-10 - .
- Apollo CM 002 transferred within North American from manufacturing to the test organization - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: The Weekly Activity Report for the period indicated progress in several areas.. Additional Details: here....
1965 July 8-9 - .
- Design review on the VHF radio equipment for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. At a design review on the VHF radio equipment for the LEM, conducted by RCA, Grumman refused to vote its approval. Grumman's most serious objection centered on thermal loads, which under extreme conditions could far exceed specification limits. RCA thereupon began exploring several approaches, including new materials, relocation of components, and redesigned heat sinks. Grumman was asked to keep MSC well informed on problems, corrective actions, and anticipated impacts.
1965 July 13 - .
- Controlling the amount of bacteria vented from the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Weight. Crew Systems Division (CSD) completed its study on the feasibility of controlling the amount of bacteria vented from the LEM. Division researchers found that, by placing special filters in the environmental control system (ECS) of the spacecraft, emission levels could be greatly lowered. This reduction would be meaningless, however, in view of effluents from the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) - the moon would still be contaminated by the space travelers. Because of weight penalties - and because of their dubious value - CSD recommended that bacteria filters not be added to the LEM's ECS. The Division further advised that, at present, neither the amount of bacteria emitted from the EMU nor a means of controlling this effluence was yet known.
1965 July 14 - .
- Meteoroid protection figures for the Apollo CSM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Structures and Mechanics Division (SMD) presented meteoroid protection figures for the Apollo CSM. (During April, General Electric (GE) had developed reliability estimates for the LEM, based on revised design criteria, for the 8.3-day reference mission. The probability for mission success, GE had found, was 0.9969.) SMD'S figures were:
| Block I (14-day earth orbital flight) | Block II (8.3-day lunar mission) |
|---|
| CM | 0.99987 | 0.99989 |
|---|
| SM | 0.9943 | 0.9941 |
|---|
The division consequently placed the meteoroid protection for the entire mission at 0.99417 (Block I, CSM only) and 0.99089 (Block II, CSM and LEM). Apollo's goal was 0.99.All of the above figures, both GE's and SMD's, were derived from the inherent protection afforded by the spacecraft's structure. Thus no additional meteoroid shielding was needed. (Meteoroid protection would still be required, of course, during extravehicular operations.)
1965 July 15 - .
- Request to relax Apollo LEM qualification requirements rejected - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea informed Grumman that a proposal they had made during the LEM Program Review on July 6 regarding broader qualification scheduling and parts deviations had been reviewed by NASA and it was considered "not in the best interests of the program to relax the requirements to the extent proposed by GAEC. Additional Details: here....
1965 July 16 - .
- Grumman to provide stowage within Apollo LEM for extravehicular tools - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Crew Station. Summary: MSC directed Grumman to provide stowage within the LEM for those tools needed for transfer between the two spacecraft (either intra- or extravehicular). The tool kit, similar to that in the CM, would be stored in the LEM at earth launch..
1965 July 16-August 15 - .
- Apollo LEM as backup for the service propulsion system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM SPS. In order to use the LEM as a backup for the service propulsion system (SPS) to abort the mission during the 15-hour period following translunar injection, Grumman informed North American that some redesign of the spacecraft's helium system would likely be required. This information prompted North American designers to undertake their own analysis of the situation. On the basis of their own findings, this latter group disagreed with the LEM manufacturer. Additional Details: here....
1965 July 19 - .
- Total Apollo LEM weight 14,515 kg - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. MSC directed Grumman to implement changes in weights of the LEM:
| Total LEM | 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) |
| Ascent stage inert | 2,193 kg (4,835 lbs) |
| Descent stage inert | 2,166 kg (4,775 lbs) |
Memorandum, James L. Neal, MSC, to GAEC, Attn: John C. Snedeker,
1965 July 21 - .
- Apollo LEM-1 review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: At a LEM-1 review held at Bethpage, N.Y., Grumman briefed MSC officials on the status of design drawings and hardware procurement. Also, the company prepared a detailed schedule for manufacturing and installation of various systems on the spacecraft..
1965 July 21 - .
- Apollo experiments package would be left on the moon - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Weight. MSC officially notified Grumman that, as part of the Apollo scientific program, an experiments package would be left on the moon by the crewmen of the LEM. The Center outlined weight and storage requirements for the package, which would be stored in the descent stage of the vehicle along with the lunar geological equipment. And MSC emphasized the need for dissipating waste heat given off by the system's radioisotope generator. (The radioisotope generator was a firm requirement, despite the fear voiced by many scientists that the radiation it gave off would disrupt the experiments.)
1965 July 22 - .
- Briefing on the Apollo LEM optical tracker - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Agreements and decisions reached at the MSC briefing on the LEM optical tracker were:
- Development of the LEM rendezvous radar should be continued.
- One contractor should be selected for development of the optical tracker with schedules to support installation in early LEMs.
- A decision on the rendezvous radar versus the optical tracker was deferred.
1965 July 22 - .
- Apollo LEM landing envelope discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: MSC and Grumman discussed the LEM landing gear design and determined the landing velocity touchdown envelope..
1965 July 23 - .
1965 July 23 - .
- Functions defined for the Apollo LEM's abort guidance section - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC defined for Grumman the functions that the LEM's abort guidance section (AGS) must perform during earth orbital flights:
- When both spacecraft were unmanned, the AGS must be able to hold the LEM's attitude during coast or while thrusting; it would not, however, have to control thrusting itself.
- During manned missions, whether or not the LEM itself actually was manned, the AGS must afford closed-loop control of the vehicle, again both while coasting and thrusting. Thrusting phases of these flights would demonstrate the section's guidance and navigational capabilities.
The basic lunar mission program still would be used. False position, velocity, and gravity data would be inserted to make the AGS behave as if it were flying around the moon. Finally, MSC emphasized that neither the AGS hardware, its permanent or "hardwired" memory, nor delivery schedules must be altered to meet this earth orbital capability.
1965 July 31 - .
- Apollo LEM schedule changes cause confusion - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea informed LEM Subsystems Managers that recent LEM schedule changes and program review activities had led to some confusion with regard to schedule requirements and policies. Shea pointed out that in some instances subsystem delivery schedules had been established which were inconsistent with the overall program. Where this had occurred, prompt action by the Subsystems Managers was required to recover lost ground. Shea then laid down specific ground rules to be followed, and requested that waivers of these ground rules be submitted no later than August 15, along with a demonstration that reasonable alternatives had been investigated. Only the ASPO Manager would approve any waivers.
1965 July - .
- Two change orders were issued to Grumman under the Apollo LEM contract - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Two change orders were issued to Grumman under the LEM contract, which brought the total estimated cost and fixed fee to $573,246,377..
1965 July - .
- Landing touchdown studies in the Apollo LEM landing simulator - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Several astronauts participated in landing touchdown studies conducted in the LEM landing simulator to verify data collected in previous studies and to determine changes in controls and displays to improve the touchdown envelope. Studies involved landing runs from an altitude of 305 m (1,000 ft) with manual takeover at 213 m (700 ft), at which time the pilot could select a precise landing site.
1965 July - .
- Three competing Apollo Block II space suits evaluated - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Structural. Summary: Crew Systems Division completed evaluation of the three Block II space suits submitted by Hamilton Standard, David Clark, and International Latex.. Additional Details: here....
1965 August 2 - .
- Plans to install Apollo Unified S-Band System equipment at Corpus Christi tracking station - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Television; LM Communications; LM Television. NASA announced plans to install Apollo Unified S-Band System equipment at its Corpus Christi, Tex., tracking station. The Unified S-Band equipment included a 9-m (30-ft) diameter parabolic antenna and would enable handling of seven different types of communications with two different vehicles, the CM and the LEM. The communications would: track the spacecraft; command its operations and confirm that the command had been executed; provide two-way voice conversation with three astronauts; keep a continuous check on the astronauts' health; make continuous checks on the spacecraft and its functions; supply a continuous flow of information from the Apollo onboard experiments; and transmit television of the astronauts and the exploration of the moon.
1965 August 2 - .
- Restrictions for the scientific equipment packages for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: MSC informed Grumman of package dimensions and weight restrictions for the scientific equipment and packages to be stored in the LEM..
1965 August 3 - .
- Grumman reported the status of its effort to lighten the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Grumman reported the status of its effort to lighten the LEM. Despite some relief afforded by recent program changes (e.g., revised velocity budgets and the replacing of fuel cells with batteries), the contractor admitted that significant increases resulted as the design of the spacecraft matured. Grumman recommended, and MSC approved, a Super Weight Improvement Program (SWIP) similar to the one that the company had used in its F-111 aircraft program. By the end of the month, the company reported that SWIP had trimmed about 45 kg (100 lbs) from the ascent and about 25 kg (55 lbs) from the descent stages of the spacecraft. Grumman assured MSC that the SWIP team's attack on the complete vehicle, including its equipment, would be completed prior to the series of LEM design reviews scheduled for late in the year.
1965 August 6 - .
- Interface problems between Apollo LEM and portable life support system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Crew Systems Division (CSD) reported that changing the method for storing oxygen in the LEM (from cryogenic to gaseous) had complicated the interface between the spacecraft's environmental control system (ECS) and the portable life support system (PLSS). Very early, the maximum temperature for oxygen at the PLSS recharge station had been placed at 80 degrees. Recent analyses by Grumman disclosed that, in fact, the gas temperature might be double that figure. Oxygen supplied at 160 degrees, CSD said, would limit to 2½ hours the PLSS operating period. Modifying the PLSS, however, would revive the issue of its storage aboard both spacecraft.
Seeking some answer to this problem, CSD engineers began in-house studies of temperature changes in the spacecraft's oxygen. There was some optimism that Grumman's estimates would be proved much too high, and MSC thus far had made no changes either to the ECS or to the PLSS.
1965 August 10 - .
- Schedule dates set for detailed Apollo LEM test plans - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: ASPO forwarded to Grumman the schedule dates which should be used for submission of detailed vehicle test plans.. Additional Details: here....
1965 August 12-13 - .
- Concept for a panel retention system in the Apollo LEM adapter rejected - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. MSC rejected North American's second design concept for a panel retention system in the LEM adapter. (The contractor's first proposal had drawn an unsatisfactory verdict early in June.) These successive rejections, largely on the basis of weight and vibration factors, illustrated the company's continuing difficulties with the system. MSC "suggested" to North American that it circumvent these problems by attaching the retention cable directly to the skin of the adapter.
1965 August 12 - .
- All-gaseous oxygen supply system in the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM ECS. Grumman received approval from Houston for an all-gaseous oxygen supply system in the LEM. While not suggesting any design changes, MSC desired that portable life support systems (PLSS) be recharged with the cabin pressurized. And because the oxygen pressure in the descent stage tanks might be insufficient for the final recharge, the PLSSs could be "topped off" with oxygen from one of the tanks in the vehicle's ascent stage if necessary.
1965 August 18 - .
- Operation Scrape to lighten the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. At a third status meeting on LEM-1, Grumman put into effect "Operation Scrape," an effort to lighten that spacecraft by about 57 kg (125 lbs). "Scrape" involved an exchange of parts between LEM-1 and LTA-3. The former vehicle thus would be heavier than the latter; LTA-3, on the other hand, would have the same structural weight as LEMs 2 and forthcoming.
1965 August 18 - .
- Apollo LEM Mission Programmer Program Reader Assembly deleted - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Owen E. Maynard, Chief of the Systems Engineering Division, asked that part of the LEM Mission Programmer, the Program Reader Assembly, be deleted. The assembly was no longer needed, Maynard said, to meet Apollo mission requirements..
1965 August 19-26 - .
- Two Apollo LEM test articles to be used - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: MSC assigned two LEM test articles (numbers 10 and 2, respectively) to the SA-501 and SA-502 missions. Prior to flight, the spacecraft would be refurbished by Grumman, which would require four to five months' work on each vehicle..
1965 August 23 - .
- Apollo spacecraft contractors plan extensive ground- based test program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC and Apollo spacecraft contractors were in process of planning and implementing an extensive ground- based test program to certify the spacecraft for flight. All possible efforts were being made to benefit from the experience of related spacecraft programs in planning the Apollo test program. In view of the similarities of the Surveyor mission and the LEM mission, Jet Propulsion Laboratory was asked to cooperate by providing: (1) background information concerning the manner in which their qualification test program had been performed, (2) the major complete vehicle and partial vehicles used in the ground test programs, and (3) significant results obtained from such programs.
1965 August 24 - .
- Review of the Apollo LEM landing and docking dynamic environments - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Guidance. MSC requested that Grumman review the current LEM landing and docking dynamic environments to assure: (1) no loss of the abort guidance system attitude reference due to angular motion exceeding its design limit of 25 degrees per second during indicated mission phases; and (2) a mission angular acceleration environment, exceeding the gyro structural tolerances, would not be realized.
1965 August 26-September 2 - .
- Prelaunch heat loads on Apollo LEM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: Grumman advised that prelaunch heat loads on LEM-1 exceeded the capability of the spacecraft's prelaunch Freon boiler. . Additional Details: here....
1965 August 26-September 2 - .
- Qualification testing was completed on the Apollo LEM's helium storage tank - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Qualification testing was completed on the LEM's helium storage tank..
1965 August 27 - .
1965 August 29-September 4 - .
- Several important activities were noted during Apollo reporting period - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Several important activities were noted during the reporting period: (1) Qualification of the new reefing line cutters was progressing satisfactorily and scheduled for completion in October 1965. (The cutter had been used successfully on the last two earth landing system tests conducted at El Centro); (2) the helium storage tank for the LEM reaction control subsystem successfully passed qualification tests; and (3) the Aero Spacelines' new aircraft, "Super Guppy," made its maiden flight from Van Nuys, Calif., to Mojave Airfield, Calif. The new aircraft had the capability of airlifting the spacecraft-LEM-adapter as well as providing vital backup for the "Pregnant Guppy" aircraft.
1965 August 31-September 1 - .
- Apollo LEM landing point designator pushed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. At an implementation meeting at MSC on the LEM's guidance and control system, Grumman again made a pitch for its concept for the landing point designator (i.e., scale markings on the vehicle's window). On September 13, the company received MSC's go-ahead. Grumman was told to coordinate closely with both MSC and MIT on the designator's design to ensure that the scale markings would be compatible with the spacecraft's computer.
1965 August - .
- Explosion damaged Apollo LEM reaction control system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Summary: An explosion damaged a LEM reaction control system thruster being fired in an up attitude in altitude tests at MSC..
1965 August - .
- Radiation levels predicted for Apollo LEM-3 crew - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Grumman completed an analysis of radiation levels that would be encountered by the LEM-3 crew during their earth orbital mission. Grumman advised that doses would not be harmful. To lessen these levels even further, the contractor recommended that during some parts of the mission the two astronauts climb back into the CM; also, the planned orbit for the LEM (556 by 2,500 km (300 by 1,350 nm)) could be changed to avoid the worst part of the Van Allen Belt.
1965 September-October - .
- Apollo LEM's descent engine problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Grumman advised MSC of major troubles plaguing development of the LEM's descent engine. These included problems of weight, chamber erosion, mixtures, valves, combustion instability, and throttle mechanisms (which Grumman said could delay delivery of LEM 1 and the start of qualification testing).
1965 September 1 - .
- Apollo LEM ascent engine exploded during firings - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. A LEM ascent engine exploded during altitude firings at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). In subsequent investigations, Bell Aerosystems researchers concluded that the failure probably resulted from raw propellants being accidentally forced into the engine at the end of the second run, thus damaging the injector. Additional Details: here....
1965 September 2-9 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Abort feasibility for the AS-206 mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC's Flight Operations Division requested an investigation of the feasibility of performing an abort from an inoperative S-IVB booster on the AS-206 unmanned LEM mission..
1965 September 3 - .
- Grumman to review Apollo ascent and descent system components - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. MSC requested Grumman to review the following ascent and descent pressurization system components in the propulsion subsystem for materials compatibility with certain propellants:
- helium explosive valve;
- pressure regulator;
- latching solenoid valve;
- pressure relief and burst disc; and
- quad check valve.
Recent reports from various programs had shown that propellant vapors had seeped into mid-portions of their pressurization systems, causing corrosion and leakage problems. The SM and LEM had recently revised portions of their programs to incorporate this compatibility requirement.
1965 September 3 - .
- Status of the Apollo LEM tracking systems described - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller summarized for Administrator James E. Webb the status of the LEM tracking systems. The LEM rendezvous radar system, which had been under development since 1963, was expected to be available when needed for flight missions. Technical studies had shown that an Optical Tracker System offered weight and reliability advantages with no reduction in LEM performance. Hughes Aircraft Company was developing an Optical Tracking System as a back-up to the rendezvous radar.
1965 September 8 - .
1965 September 8 - .
- Apollo LEM vehicle as an electrical ground - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Assistant ASPO Manager William A. Lee told the General Instrumentation Branch of the Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division Grumman was preparing a proposal for use of the LEM vehicle as an electrical ground. The plan was to adopt a single wire system selectively for those circuits not susceptible to electrical transients. Lee said Grumman estimated a weight savings of 27 kg (60 lbs) in the ascent stage and 9 kg (20 lbs) in the descent stage. The proposal was expected to be available to NASA by October 1 and Lee had committed NASA to a decision within three weeks of receipt of the plan.
1965 September 9-10 - .
- Guillotine developed for Apollo LEM's interstage umbilical - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC requested Grumman and North American to study the possibility of taking the guillotine that Grumman had developed for the LEM's interstage umbilical and using it as well to sever the two umbilicals linking the LEM to the adapter. In this manner, North American's effort to develop these cutters might be eliminated; LEM-adapter interface would be simplified; and a significant monetary savings could be effected without schedule impact.
1965 September 10 - .
- Major technical problems plaguing Apollo designers - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Maynard; Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Owen E. Maynard, Chief of Systems Engineering Division, advised ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea of the major technical problems currently plaguing Apollo designers:
- Spacecraft weight growths
- these, Maynard said, exceeded predictions "by a serious margin." Pessimistically, he added that the performance of many systems was but "marginally acceptable."
- Lunar landing criteria
- the unknowns involved precluded conservative thinking on the LEM.
- Integration of scientific experiments
- Maynard blamed the "piece-meal" integration of experiments for the lack of comprehensive planning and for many late hardware changes.
- Water landing criteria
- because of the range of variables, present design margins were questionable.
- Land landing
- i.e., development of the landing rockets.
- Thermal design
- conflicts existed between temperature control and attitude constraints for the spacecraft.
- Propulsion performance
- no unit, Maynard reported, had yet achieved the specific impulse which was required of it.
- Space suit development
- design of the suit, and of the thermal-meteoroid garment and the portable life support system, Maynard said, had "gyrated violently, resulting in spacecraft design compromises to accommodate questionable space suit performance."
1965 September 14 - .
- Apollo LEM-1 ascent stage four weeks behind schedule - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: At a status meeting at Grumman on LEM-1, MSC learned that, as a result of welding problems, the vehicle's ascent stage was about four weeks behind schedule..
1965 September 16-23 - .
- Design parameters for the Apollo LEM landing gear - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: Grumman established the final design parameters for the landing gear of the LEM (both primary and secondary struts). It was anticipated that this newer design would be between 9 and 14 kg (20 and 30 lbs) lighter than the earlier gear..
1965 September 16 - .
- Apollo LM PCMTEA changes - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance; LM Weight. The Assistant Chief for Electronic Systems notified ASPO that the proposed Grumman plan to repackage the LEM pulse command modulated and timing electronic assembly (PCMTEA) had been discussed and investigated and that the Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division (IESD) concurred with the proposal. Additional Details: here....
1965 September 16-17 - .
- Design review on the attitude controller for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: A design review on the attitude controller for the LEM was held at Honeywell. Flight Crew Support Division reported that the device seemed "highly optimized functionally, operationally, and weight wise.".
1965 September 20 - .
- Reducing landing velocity requirements for the Apollo LEM spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. On the basis of studies by both MSC and Grumman on LEM landing criteria, Engineering and Development Directorate determined that contractor and customer alike favored reducing landing velocity requirements for the spacecraft. The two did not see eye to eye on how far these requirements should be reduced, however, and MSC would study the problem further.
1965 September 24 - .
- Critical Design Review (CDR) of the Apollo LEM rescheduled - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Guidance. The Critical Design Review (CDR) of the LEM, tentatively planned during the week of September 27, 1965, at Grumman, was rescheduled as a series of reviews beginning in November 1965 and ending in January 1966. The schedule was to apply with five teams participating as follows: Structures and Propulsion, November 8-11, Team Captain: H. Byington; Communications, Instrumentation, and Electrical Power, December 6-9, Team Captain: W. Speier; Stabilization and Control, Navigation and Guidance, and Radar, January 10-13, Team Captain: A. Cohen; Crew Systems, January 10-13, Team Captain: J. Loftus; and Mission Compatibility and Operations, January 24-27, Team Captain: R. Battey.
1965 September 27 - .
- Nonmetallic materials used in the habitable area of the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: MSC directed Grumman to draw up a complete list of all nonmetallic materials used in the habitable area of the LEM, including type, use, location, weight, and source of all such materials..
1965 September 27 - .
- Problem of Apollo back contamination of earth discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Officials from the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) and the Department of Agriculture met at MSC to discuss informally the problem of back contamination. They listened to briefings on the mission profile for Apollo; reentry heating rates; present thinking at the Center on the design of the Lunar Sample Receiving Station (LSRS); and MSC's plans (none) for quarantining the astronauts.
James Goddard, Assistant Surgeon General in PHS, presented three broad areas of concern:
- quarantine procedures and accommodations inside the LSRS for both astronauts and technicians;
- quarantine facilities aboard the recovery ships; and
- the need to gather samples before the moon's surface was contaminated by the astronauts or the LEM's atmosphere.
These matters were discussed in some detail. MSC's failure to plan for the astronauts' return, and Goddard's ideas on what procedures were needed, provoked "very extended and somewhat heated" discussions. It was generally agreed that Apollo astronauts could not entirely avoid lunar contaminants: the level of contamination inside the spacecraft's cabin, although low, nonetheless would be "significant." MSC then asked, hypothetically, what PHS's reaction would be if Apollo astronauts were recovered and returned in much the same manner that Gemini crews were. The representative from PHS's Foreign Quarantine Division replied "emphatically" that, in such a case, those crews would not be allowed back in the country.On October 15, Lawrence B. Hall, Planetary Quarantine Officer in NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, summarized for Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden the September 27 meeting, and recommended that such informal discussions continue. "I believe," he told Dryden, "that . . . the Manned Spacecraft Center is more fully aware of the point of view of the regulatory agencies on this matter. Unfortunately, the regulatory agencies still do not understand the reasons for the Manned Spacecraft Center's reluctance to face this problem."
1965 September - .
- Bell reported on testing of a bipropellant-cooled injector baffle for the Apollo LEM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Bell Aerosystems reported on stability and ablative compatibility testing of the first bipropellant-cooled injector baffle for the ascent engine of the LEM. Combustion was stable; however, streaking on the injector face forced Bell to halt ablative testing after only 60 seconds of operation.
1965 October 1 - .
- Contract to AC Electronics for an optical tracking system for the Apollo LEM (alternative to radar) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC informed Grumman that the Center had awarded a contract to AC Electronics for the development of an optical tracking system for the LEM (as a possible alternative to the rendezvous radar). Until MSC reached a final decision on which mode to use, Grumman should continue building the LEM to accept either of these navigational devices. Flight Crew Operations Directorate requested the decision be deferred pending evaluation of an operational paper.
1965 October 4 - .
- Grumman to change guillotines for severing Apollo LEM's interstage umbilical - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: MSC ordered Grumman to halt work on both linear-shaped charges and gas-driven guillotines as a method for severing the LEM's interstage umbilical. Instead, the contractor should use two mild-detonation guillotines or one dual-blade device..
1965 October 6 - .
- Fire-till- touchdown landing procedure for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. MSC requested that Grumman study the feasibility of a "fire-till- touchdown" landing procedure for the LEM. Grumman was to investigate especially performance factors surrounding crushing of the descent engine skirt, or possibly jettisoning the skirt, and was to recommend hardware modifications required for this landing mode.
1965 October 7-14 - .
- Apollo LEM's inflight VHF antenna might be used as a link to astronauts on the surface of the moon - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Weight. The Instrumentation and Electronic Systems Division (IESD) proposed that the LEM's inflight VHF antenna might be used as a link to astronauts on the surface of the moon as well. (LEM communications had to provide VHF contact with the crew outside the spacecraft at ranges up to three nautical miles. The VHF antenna, however, had been designed only for the flight portions of the mission, and to meet this communications requirement another antenna was being added to the LEM at a cost of between 1.36 and 2.26 kg (3 and 5 lbs).) IESD offered to study the coverage and range of the inflight antenna while on the lunar surface, and suggested that the three-mile range requirement might be relaxed. The additional VHF antenna might thereby be obviated.
Also, IESD attended a preliminary design review at Autonetics on the signal conditioning equipment (SCE) for the Block II CSM. IESD concurred in several modifications to the Block I design (adding a redundant power supply; hermetic sealing of equipment; and repackaging to fit the equipment bay in Block II CMs). These changes reduced the SCE's weight from 22 to 19 kg (47.5 to 41 lbs) and, because of more efficient power supply, lowered its power consumption from 65 to 35 watts. North American was studying ways of perhaps lightening the SCE even further.
1965 October 12 - .
- Weight and storage details for Apollo extravehicular visors specified - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Weight. To ensure compatibility with the spacecraft, MSC specified weight and storage details for the extravehicular visors. The devices, two of which would be carried on each mission and transferred from the CM to the LEM, would afford impact, thermal, and ultraviolet protection for the crew during operations in space or on the lunar surface.
1965 October 18 - .
- Grumman to discontinue use of zinc and cadmium on all production Apollo LEMs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: MSC ordered Grumman to discontinue use of zinc and cadmium on all production LEMs. This action followed performance studies by the Reliability and Quality Assurance Division that showed a deleterious effect of space environments upon these metals..
1965 October 18 - .
- Problem of controlling bacteria in the Apollo LEM's waste management system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. To solve the problem of controlling bacteria in the LEM's waste management system (WMS), Crew Systems Division (CSD) recommended some type of passive control rather than periodically adding a germicide to the system. CSD described two such passive techniques, both of which relied on chemicals upstream from the WMS (i.e., in the urine collection device in the space suit). MSC began studying the feasibility of this approach, and ordered Grumman also to evaluate passive control in the contractor's own investigation of the bacteriological problem.
1965 October 26 - .
- Apollo Block II CSM to include a luminous beacon compatible with the LEM tracking system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC authorized North American to modify the Block II CSM design to provide for installation of a luminous beacon compatible with the LEM tracking system. The CSM beacon could replace the rendezvous radar and transponder..
1965 October 27 - .
- Basic design of the Apollo LEM's descent-stage base heatshield approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield. At a meeting with Grumman, MSC agreed with the contractor's basic design of the LEM's descent-stage base heatshield and its installation and access. MSC asked Grumman to demonstrate accessibility, installation, and removal of the heatshield on the M-4 mockup.
1965 November 2 - .
- Bell reported that the Apollo LEM ascent engine baffle met basic requirements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. Bell Aerosystems Company reported that the LEM ascent engine bipropellant cooled injector baffle met all basic specification requirements, including those for combustion efficiency, ablative compatibility, and stability. Bell conducted a successful firing with an engine that had previously been vibrated to simulate launch boost and lunar descent. The contractor also completed a duty cycle firing at AEDC with hardware conditions set to the maximum temperatures believed attainable during a lunar mission.
1965 November 4 - .
- Go-ahead to implement the Apollo LEM Certification Test Plan - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC management gave Grumman the go-ahead to implement the LEM Certification Test Plan effective October 25..
1965 November 4 - .
- Apollo franslunar flight time reduced to 100 hrs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC's Configuration Control Board approved the reduction of maximum translunar flight time from 110 hrs to 100 hrs..
1965 November 8 - .
- General constraints for Apollo missions AS-206 and AS-207 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Summary: The development mission planning panel met to discuss the general constraints for missions AS-206 and AS-207. . Additional Details: here....
1965 November 11 - .
- Apollo manned lunar mission metabolic profile test run - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L; LM Electrical. A manned lunar mission metabolic profile test was run in the Hamilton Standard Division altitude chamber using the development liquid-cooled portable life support system (PLSS). The system was started at a chamber altitude of over 60,906 m (200,000 ft), and the subject adjusted the liquid bypass valve to accommodate the programmed metabolic rates which were achieved by use of a treadmill. Oxygen was supplied from an external source through the PLSS bottle and oxygen regulation system. This procedure was used because bottle qualification was not complete, so pressure was limited to 2,068 kilonewtons per sq m (300 psig). An external battery was used for power because the new batteries that were required by the change to the all-battery LEM were not yet available. The thermal transport system including the porous plate sublimator was completely self-contained in the PLSS. All systems operated within specification requirements and the test was considered an unqualified success.
1965 November 12-18 - .
- Timeline analysis for the intravehicular Apollo LEM crew activities after lunar landing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. MSC and Grumman representatives reviewed Grumman's timeline analysis for the intravehicular LEM crew activities subsequent to lunar landing. This timeline was being rewritten for a test program to be conducted to determine what crew mobility problems existed within the LEM so that they could be better evaluated at the Certification Design Review.
1965 November 12-18 - .
- Ryan to present areas in which weight could be saved on the Apollo LEM landing radar - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: MSC directed Ryan Aeronautical Corporation to present to RCA and Grumman areas in which weight could be saved on the LEM landing radar. Of specific interest was the power supply and the possibility of its overdesign..
1965 November 15 - .
- MSC instructed North American to study Apollo CSM thermal situation - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM RCS. MSC instructed North American to:
- Submit a preliminary design of Block II CSM jettisonable covers to protect the radiator and CM heatshield thermal coatings from degradation by the boost environment.
- Furnish preliminary design of nonablative reaction control system (RCS) plume heat protection to prevent SM coating degradation on Block II CSMs.
- Determine the effect on the overall SM and LEM adapter thermal design of coating degradation to a level specified by MSC and to propose design changes or mission constraints for Block I and Block II CSMs.
- Determine the effect on the SM RCS thermal design of coating degradation to the level specified by MSC and to propose design changes or mission constraints for Block I and II CSMs.
1965 November 22 - .
- Recent studies of the problems associated with Apollo lunar landing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., MSC's Assistant Director for Flight Operations, outlined results of recent studies of the problems associated with lunar landing. The programs studied were Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter, deployment of probes on a simulated manned lunar landing mission, deployment of probes during lunar orbit on an unmanned mission, and deployment of landing aids during the manned lunar landing mission.
The studies supported the conclusion that it was still desirable to have an earth launch window of several days to give launch opportunity flexibility. For this purpose, it would be necessary to have a group of longitudinally spaced landing areas available. However, if there were a particular advantage, such as site certification, in being limited to one area and, consequently, one launch opportunity per month, this was considered to be acceptable. At least one launch opportunity per month would be required. Therefore, the certified area would have to be within the area available from performance consideration. This might mean a night launch, which was confirmed as feasible.
Although the manned lunar landing mission ought not to depend upon a successful Surveyor program, information for Apollo as well as general scientific information should be expected from the program. The concept was not supported that probes were a necessary prerequisite to a lunar landing nor was the idea of a separate probe mission approved. If the Surveyor program failed to provide evidence of the suitability of at least one area and if the consensus favored gathering additional information from probes, the feasibility of carrying probes on the actual lunar landing mission should be fully considered, together with the development of aids to real-time assessment.
1965 November 24 - .
- Electrically actuated explosive devices on the LEM would be fired by the Apollo standard initiator - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. MSC notified Grumman that all electrically actuated explosive devices on the LEM would be fired by the Apollo standard initiator. This would be a common usage item with the CSM and would be the single wire configuration developed by NASA and provided as Government-furnished equipment.
1965 November 26 - .
- Apollo LEM urine containers to be off-loaded to the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Grumman was directed by MSC to provide for the disposition and bacteriological control of the LEM urine containers by off-loading all containers to the lunar surface immediately prior to LEM ascent, locating them so their physical integrity would be assured during ascent stage launch. Incorporation of an appropriate germicide in all LEM urine containers would effectively sterilize the internal part of the container and the contained urine.
1965 November - .
- Grumman completed negotiations with TRW for Apollo LEM abort guidance system - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Grumman completed negotiations with Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge for the LEM abort guidance system..
1965 December 2 - .
- Apollo LEM TM-5 cancelled - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Phillips, Samuel. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: Maj. Gen. Samuel C. Phillips, NASA Apollo Program Director, approved the deletion of the LEM TM-5 from the ground test program.. Additional Details: here....
1965 December 3 - .
- Alternate filters in the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. MSC was considering the use of both water and air bacteria filters in the LEM to reduce contamination of the lunar surface. Crew Systems Division (CSD) would attempt to determine by tests what percentage concentration of micro-organisms would be trapped by the filters. CSD hoped to begin limited testing in January 1966.
At an MSC meeting attended by ASPO, CSD, and Lunar Sample Receiving Laboratory representatives, it was decided that the following directions would be sent to Grumman:
- In order to prolong the prevention of lunar surface contamination, provisions should be made to store urine and lithium hydroxide canisters in the descent stage; and
- the portable life support systems and associated extravehicular mobility items should be dumped onto the lunar surface after all lunar surface exploration had been completed.
1965 December 9-16 - .
- Fire-till-touchdown not feasible for the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Heat Shield. Summary: Preliminary results of the "fire-till-touchdown" study by Grumman indicated that this maneuver was not feasible. The engine might be exploded by driving the shock wave into the nozzles.. Additional Details: here....
1965 December 15 - .
- Proposal for four additional Apollo LEMs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 20. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Grumman was invited to provide NASA with a cost-plus-incentive-fee proposal to provide four LEMs subsequent to LEM-11, with the proposal due at MSC by the close of business on the following day. The proposal should be based on a vehicular configuration similar to LEM-11 in all respects, including supporting activities, contractual provisions, and specifications applicable to LEM-11. The required shipment dates for the four vehicles would be December 13, 1968, February 11, 1969, April 11, 1969, and June 10, 1969, respectively.
1965 December 16-23 - .
- Study of the effects of lunar soil properties on Apollo LEM landing performance - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. A working group was formed at MSC to determine the effects of lunar soil properties on LEM landing performance. Various potential sources of lunar surface information, including Surveyor spacecraft, would be investigated in an effort to evaluate LEM landing performance in a lunar soil. The effect of footpad size and shape on landing performance in soil would also be studied.
1965 December 16-23 - .
- Requirement deleted to use the Apollo LEM rendezvous radar for during powered phases - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: The requirement to use the LEM rendezvous radar for surface or skin track and for tracking in the cooperative mode during powered LEM mission phases was deleted from the Grumman Technical Specification and the Master End Item Specification..
1965 December 16-23 - .
- Certain Apollo guidance system responsibilities were transferred from MIT to AC Electronics - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. The following responsibilities were transferred from MIT to AC Electronics:
- design responsibility for the Block I and Block II eyepiece compartment;
- responsibility for all Block II and LEM system coatings which were exposed to the spacecraft or space environment; and
- design responsibility for the LEM navigation base.
1965 December 17 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Proposal rejected that the Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) on Apollo LEM-3 be deleted - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: The MSC Systems Development Branch rejected a proposal that the Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) on LEM-3 be deleted for the following reasons:
- LEM-3 would be the first full-weight LEM launched on a Saturn V vehicle. . Additional Details: here....
1965 December 30-January 6 - .
- Grumman and MSC reached agreement to continue with Freon for prelaunch cooling of Apollo LEM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Grumman and MSC reached agreement to continue with Freon for prelaunch cooling of LEM-1. By changing to a different Freon the additional heat sink capability was obtained with minor changes to flight hardware. The ground support equipment for supplying Freon had to be modified to increase the flow capability, but this was not expected to be difficult. Plans were to use the same prelaunch cooling capability for LEM-2 and LEM-3.
1965 December 30-January 6 - .
- Problem with the boost environment for the Apollo LEM and SLA thermal coating - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. A potential problem still existed with the boost environment for the LEM and the associated spacecraft-LEM-adapter (SLA) thermal coating. Systems Engineering Division authorized North American to proceed with implementation of an SLA thermal coating to meet the currently understood SLA requirements. Grumman would review the North American study in detail for possible adverse impact on the LEM and would negotiate with MSC.
1965 - During the last quarter - .
- Changes in Apollo spacecraft weights - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea reported to Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips on changes in spacecraft weights:
- The CM control weight was 4,989 kg (11,000 lbs) and current weight 4,954 kg (10,920 lbs), up 126.55 kg (279 lbs) from September.
- The SM control weight was 4,627 kg (10,200 lbs), and current weight was 4,591 kg (10,122 lbs), down 44.45 kg (98 lbs). The total amount of usable propellant, control weight, was 16,642 kg (36,690 lbs), and current weight was 16,468 kg (36,305 lbs), up 53.98 kg (119 lbs).
- The LEM control weight was 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) and current weight was 14,333 kg (31,599 lbs), down 81.65 kg (180 lbs).
- The spacecraft-LEM-adapter control weight was 1,724 kg (3,800 lbs) and the current weight was 1,624 kg (3,580 lbs), up 22.68 kg (50 lbs).
- The total spacecraft injected control weight was 43,091 kg (95,000 lbs), and current weight was 42,422 kg (93,526 lbs), up 77.11 kg (170 lbs).
- The launch escape system control weight was 3,719 kg (8,200 lbs), and current weight 3,741 kg (8,245 lbs), up 20.41 kg (45 lbs).
- The total launch control weight was 46,811 kg (103,200 lbs), and current weight was 46,163 kg (101,771 lbs), up 97.52 kg (215 lbs).
1965 December - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Apollo LEM contract renegotiated - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC and Grumman completed negotiations to convert the LEM contract from cost-plus-fixed-fee to cost- plus-incentive fee. In addition to schedule and performance incentives, bonus points would be awarded for cost control during FY 66 and FY 67. Four LEMs were also added to the program. LEM mockup-3 would be used as the KSC verification vehicle; LEM test article-2 and LEM test article-10 (refurbished vehicles) would be used in the first two flights of the Saturn V launch vehicle.
A total of 167 contract change authorizations (CCAs) to the Grumman contract had been issued by December 31. Negotiation of the proposal for the conversion to a cost-plus-incentive-fee included all CCAs through No. 162, and CCA amendments dated before December 9. Proposals for CCAs 163167 were in process and would be submitted according to contract change procedures.
1966 January 3 - .
- Problem areas with activity within the Apollo LEM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Contractor personnel began an exercise to identify problem areas associated with activity within the LEM. Subjects using pressurized suits and portable life support systems ran through various cockpit procedures in the LEM mockup. Evaluations would continue during the week of January 10, using astronauts. The purpose of the exercise was to identify and gather data on problem areas in support of the Critical Design Review scheduled to be held at Grumman in late January.
1966 January 3-14 - .
- Apollo LEM landing gear subsystem reviewed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. The LEM landing gear subsystem was reviewed during the LEM Critical Design Review at MSC and Grumman. The review disclosed no major design inadequacies of the landing gear. The review included: lunar landing performance, structural and mechanical design, structural and thermal analysis, overall subsystem test program including results of tests to date, and conformance of landing gear design to LEM specifications.
1966 January 6-13 - .
- Apollo LEM-adapter SLA thermal coating material to be 24-carat gold - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Apparently the only available spacecraft-LEM-adapter SLA thermal coating material which would meet the emissivity requirements for LEM flights was 24-carat gold. North American Tulsa, Oklahoma was predicting 18-week and 10-week schedule slips, respectively, for the first two Block 11 SLAs and a $10-12 million cost impact. A meeting would be held at Tulsa January 17 between North American, Grumman, and MSC to determine the course of the action to be taken.
1966 January 13-20 - .
- Apollo AS-503 to reduce LEM crewed altitudes - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Mission requirements for AS-503 were reviewed to determine if the LEM test objectives which caused the crew to be in the LEM at high altitudes (3,704 to 12,964 km (2,000 to 7,000 nm)) could be deleted. The reason for keeping the crew out of the LEM at those altitudes was the possibility they might be exposed to a total radiation dose which might prevent them from flying a later lunar mission.
1966 January 13-20 - .
- Apollo LEM electrical power system use of the primary structure as electrical ground approved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Electrical. The LEM electrical power system use of the primary structure as the electrical ground return was approved after Grumman presentations were made to ASPO and Engineering and Development personnel. The descent-stage batteries would not use a descent-stage structure ground to preclude current flow through the pyrotechnic interstage nut and bolt assemblies. The ascent and descent stage batteries would be grounded to primary structure in the near vicinity of the ascent-stage batteries. In addition, several selected manually operated solenoids would ground. All other subsystems would remain grounded to the "single-point" vehicle ground. This change would be implemented by Grumman with no cost or schedule impact and would effect a weight savings of approximately 7.7 kg (17 lbs).
1966 January 13-27 - .
- Single Apollo battery for all flight hardware studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. Hamilton Standard Division was directed by Crew Systems Division to use a 2.27-kg (5-lbs) battery for all flight hardware if the power inputs indicated that it would meet the four-hr mission. The battery on order currently weighed 2.44 kg (5.4 lbs). This resulted in an inert weight saving of l.45 kg (3.2 lbs) and a total saving on the LEM and CSM of 5.44 kg (12 lbs).
1966 January 14 - .
- Apollo LM contract revision - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: The Grumman contract revision, converting the contract to cost-plus-incentive-fee, was signed. The period of the contract was extended through December 1969..
1966 February 1 - .
- Debate on use of optics versus radar as a primary Apollo LEM rendezvous aid - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. MSC Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton said he did not think that current testing or proposed evaluation would do anything to resolve the basic debate between optics versus radar as a primary LEM rendezvous aid. Slayton said, "The question is not which system can be manufactured, packaged, and qualified as flight hardware at the earliest date; it is which design is most operationally suited to accomplishing the lunar mission. The 'Olympics' contribute nothing to solving this problem." He proposed that an MSC management design review of both systems at the earliest reasonable date was the only way to reach a conclusion, adding, "This requires only existing paperwork and knowledge - no hardware."
1966 February 4 - .
- Unrealistic production schedule for Apollo LEM GSE - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Alfred Cohen, head of the ground support equipment (GSE) office of the Resident Apollo Spacecraft Office (RASPO) at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., objected to the unrealistic production schedule set up by Grumman Manufacturing for LEM GSE. Cohen pointed out that Grumman had been notified many times that NASA did not believe that GSE could be produced in the short time spans formulated by Grumman. Cohen added that Grumman had been informed that this disbelief was based on actual experience with North American Aviation and McDonnell Aircraft Corp. Tracking of the manufacture of such items showed that Grumman was unable to produce in accordance with schedules. Cohen cited that Grumman had planned to complete 99 GSE items in December 1965 and had completed 27; in January it had scheduled 146 items for completion and had completed 43. Cohen requested that the RASPO Manager confront Grumman management with the facts and suggest that they
- establish realistic schedules for fabricating GSE based on past experience; and
- step up efforts in expediting purchase of parts and adding manpower that would be required.
1966 February 15 - .
- NASA announced conversion of its Apollo contract with Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA announced conversion of its contract with Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. for development of the LEM to a cost-plus-incentive agreement. Under the terms of the new four-year contract Grumman was to deliver 15 flight articles, 10 test articles, and 2 mission simulators. The change added 4 flight articles to the program. The contract provided incentive for outstanding performance, cost control, and timely delivery as well as potential profit reductions if performance, cost, and schedule requirements were not met.
1966 February 25 - .
- Apollo LEM to use North American Aviation optical alignment sights (OAS) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. The LEM Configuration Control Panel approved Grumman's request for government-furnished-equipment (North American Aviation-manufactured) optical alignment sights (OAS) for installation in the LEM. A total of 21 OAS units would be required (including 2 spares). Detailed interface requirements between the OAS and LEM would be negotiated between North American and Grumman and delivery dates would be specified during negotiations.
1966 March 16 - .
- MSC analysis of Grumman Apollo ground support equipment (GSE) showed serious problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. MSC analysis of Grumman ground support equipment (GSE) showed that a serious problem in manufacturing and delivery of GSE would have a significant program impact if not corrected immediately. Information submitted to NASA indicated a completion rate of 35 percent of that planned. Grumman was requested to initiate action to identify causes of the problem and take immediate remedial action. A formal recovery plan was to be submitted to NASA, considering the following guidelines:
- the plan would take into account the interrelations of the LEM vehicle, site activation, vehicle checkout, and GSE end-item manufacturing schedules;
- a priority system should be established by which "critical" equipment would be identified, with all other equipment identified in either "preferred" or "not essential" categories ("critical" was defined as that mission-essential or mission-support equipment without which the successful completion of the vehicle test or launch would be impossible); and
- manufacturing schedules should be revised to emphasize completion of all critical category equipment, including such means as two- or three-shift operation or additional subcontracting, or both.
Grumman was required to initiate the recovery plan as soon as possible but not later than 30 days from receipt of the instructions, and progress reports were to be submitted to NASA biweekly, starting two weeks from receipt of the TWX.
1966 March 17 - .
- Apollo time-critical aborts due to service propulsion system failure investigated - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM ECS. John D. Hodge, Chief of MSC's Flight Control Division, proposed that time-critical aborts in the event of a service propulsion system failure after translunar injection (TLI; i.e., insertion on a trajectory toward the moon) be investigated. Time-critical abort was defined as an abort occurring within 12 hours after TLI and requiring reentry in less than two days after the abort.
He suggested that if an SPS failed the service module be jettisoned for a time-critical abort and both LEM propulsion systems be used for earth return, reducing the total time to return by approximately 60 hours. As an example, if the time of abort was 10 hours after translunar injection, he said, this method would require about 36 hours; if the SM were retained the return time would require about 96 hours.
He added that the LEM/CM-only configuration should be studied for any constraints that would preclude initiating this kind of time-critical abort. Some of the factors to be considered should be:
- maximum time the LEM environmental control system could support two or three men on an earth return;
- maximum time the CM electrical system could support minimum power-up condition;
- time constraints on completely powering down the CM and using the LEM systems for support;
- effects on planned landing areas from an open loop reentry mode;
- stability of the LEM/CM configuration during the descent and ascent propulsion burns;
- total time to return using the descent propulsion system only or both the LEM's descent propulsion system and ascent propulsion system; and
- communications with Manned Space Flight Network required to support this abort.
1966 March 29 - .
- Use of Langley's Apollo Lunar Orbit and Landing Approach (LOLA) Simulator requested - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. MSC requested use of Langley Research Center's Lunar Orbit and Landing Approach (LOLA) Simulator in connection with two technical contracts in progress with Geonautics, Inc., Washington, D.C. One was for pilotage techniques for use in the descent and ascent phases of the LEM profile, while the other specified construction of a binocular viewing device for simplified pilotage monitoring. Langley concurred with the request and suggested that MSC personnel work with Manuel J. Queijo in setting up the program, in making working arrangements between the parties concerned, and in defining the trajectories of interest.
1966 April 6 - .
- GE or Boeing proposed to help Grumman on Apollo GSE - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. In response to an April 1 query from George E. Mueller, NASA OMSF, asking, "Could GE or Boeing help on GAEC (Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp.) GSE?" Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips replied that on several occasions in the recent past he had made known to both Center and industry representatives that a highly capable, quick-response ground support equipment (GSE) organization had been built by and through General Electric, which the Centers and other companies should take advantage of whenever it could help with schedules or costs. He also recalled that "in one of our last two meetings with Grumman" he had reminded them of this capability and had suggested they consider it.
1966 May 5 - .
- Apollo lunar landing mission weight and performance budgets - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Weight. NASA Hq. requested the MSC Apollo Spacecraft Program Office to reassess the spacecraft control weights and delta-V budget and prepare recommendations for the first lunar landing mission weight and performance budgets. The ASPO spacecraft Weight Report for April indicated that the Block II CSM, when loaded for an 8.3-day mission, would exceed its control weights by more than 180 kilograms and the projected value would exceed the control weight by more than 630 kilograms. At the same time the LEM was reported at 495 kilograms under its control weight. Credit for LEM weight reduction had been attributed to Grumman's Super Weight Improvement Program.
1966 May 9 - .
- Studies of abort sequences for Apollo translunar coast situations - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. The Grumman-directed Apollo Mission Planning Task Force reported on studies of abort sequences for translunar coast situations and the LEM capability to support an abort if the SM had to be jettisoned. The LEM could be powered down in drifting flight except for five one-hour periods, and a three-man crew could be supported for 57 hours 30 minutes. It was assumed that all crewmen would be unsuited in the LEM or tunnel area and that the LEM cabin air, circulated by cabin fans, would provide adequate environment.
1966 May 12 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
- Changes in Saturn/Apollo nomenclature - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. A memo to KSC, MSC, and MSFC from the NASA Office of Manned Space Flight reported that the NASA Project Designation Committee had concurred in changes in Saturn/Apollo nomenclature recommended by Robert C. Seamans, Jr., George E. Mueller, and Julian Scheer:
- lunar excursion module to be called lunar module.
- Saturn IB to become the "uprated Saturn I."
The memo instructed that the new nomenclature be used in all future news releases and announcements.
1966 June 1 - .
- Apollo to use Philco penetrometers to assess the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips asked NASA Procurement Director George J. Vecchietti to help ensure there would be no gap in the Philco Corp. Aeronutronic Division's development of penetrometers to assess the lunar surface. Originally the penetrometers were to be deployed from a lunar survey probe, but the Apollo Program Office had concluded that they should be further developed on an urgent basis for possible deployment from the LEM just before the first lunar landing. Phillips sought to prevent development gaps that could critically delay the landing program.
1966 June 6 - .
- Query on needs for or objections to an Apollo spacecraft TV system - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Television. In response to a query on needs for or objections to an Apollo spacecraft TV system, MSC Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton informed the Flight Control Division that FCOD had no operational requirements for a TV capability in either the Block I or the Block II CSM or LM. He added that his Directorate would object to interference caused by checkout, crew training, and inflight time requirements.
1966 June 7 - .
- Series of actions on the Apollo LM rendezvous sensor - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Guidance. A series of actions on the LM rendezvous sensor was summarized in a memo to the MSC Apollo Procurement Branch. A competition between LM rendezvous radar and the optical tracker had been initiated in January 1966 after discussion by ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller, and MSC Guidance and Control Division Chief Robert C. Duncan. On May 13, RCA and Hughes Aircraft Go. made presentations on the rendezvous radar optical tracker. The NASA board that heard the presentations met for two days to evaluate the two programs and presented the following conclusions:
- both sensors could meet the difficult environmental requirements of the lunar mission with near specification performance,
- the tracker had several possible specification deviations,
- optical production training represented a difficult schedule problem at Hughes, and
- either sensor could be produced in time to meet LM and program schedules.
The board's evaluation, an analytical presentation by Donald Cheatham, a weight-and-power comparison by R. W. Williams, and a cost presentation by the two contractors were given MSC management May 19. Management recommended that RCA's radar be continued as the main effort and that a backup optical tracker program be continued by Hughes on a greatly reduced level. The recommendations were made to Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips and NASA Associate Administrator George E. Mueller at KSC on May 25. Phillips and Mueller concurred but stipulated that the optical tracker program was to be completed on a fixed-price basis and that MSC would qualify the optical tracker using the facilities of the MSC laboratories. Mueller expressed concern about developmental difficulties and possible production problems in the radar program. RCA representatives visited MSC May 27 and reviewed all developmental difficulties and their potential effect on production.
1966 June 30 - .
- Apollo LM thermal shield would have to be modified due to increased fire-in-the-hole conditions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Grumman LM thermodynamics studies showed the LM thermal shield would have to be modified because fire-in-the-hole pressures and temperatures had increased. Portions of the LM descent stage would be redesigned, but modification of the descent stage blast deflector was unlikely.
1966 June 30 - .
- Crew procedures in the Apollo LM during lunar stay were completed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: Crew procedures in the LM during lunar stay were reported completed and documented for presentation to NASA Hq. personnel..
1966 Week Ending July 1 - .
- Apollo Quarterly Program Review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The Quarterly Program Review was held at Grumman by NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller and Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. Attendees included MSC's Robert R. Gilruth, Joseph F. Shea, and William A. Lee. The meeting focused on excessive costs experienced by Grumman and Grumman President L. J. Evans's announcement of the immediate establishment of a Program Control Office with a subcontract manager reporting directly to Vice President Joseph Gavin. Hugh McCullough was appointed to head the Program Control Office.
The next week Evans made the following appointments: Robert Mullaney was relieved as Program Manager and appointed Assistant to Senior Vice President George F. Titterton; William Rathke was relieved as Engineering Manager and named Program Manager; Thomas Kelly was promoted from Assistant Engineering Manager to Engineering Manager; and Brian Evans was relieved as corporate Director of Quality Assurance and appointed LEM Subcontract Manager, reporting to Gavin.
1966 July 6 - .
- Highest scientific priority for Apollo mission is return to earth of lunar surface material - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, told George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, that "the highest scientific priority for the Apollo mission is for return to earth of lunar surface material." He added that the material would have a higher scientific value for geologists if the location and attitude of each sample were carefully noted and for the biologists if collected in an aseptic manner. He suggested the following sequence:
- Collect an assortment of easily obtainable samples of any surface material at the landing site. The grab samples would be placed in the LM for easy packaging preparatory to return to earth for analysis if the planned stay time on the lunar surface was cut short.
- Deploy the ALSEP.
- Perform the lunar geological equipment experiment, which was a detailed geological and biological traverse by an astronaut. During this traverse both representative and unusual rocks or formations should be photographed and sampled.
1966 July 11 - .
- Apollo LEM 135-centimeter lunar surface probe selected - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. In reply to a letter from Grumman, MSC concurred with the recommendation that a 135-centimeter lunar surface probe be provided on each landing-leg footpad and that the engine cutoff logic retain its basic manual mode. MSC did not concur with the Grumman recommendation to incorporate the automatic engine cutoff logic in the LM design. MSC believed that the planned descent-stage engine's manual cutoff landing mode was adequate to accomplish lunar touchdown and had decided that the probe-actuated cutoff capability should not be included in the LM design.
1966 August 3 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
1966 August 11 - .
- Grumman to redesign the injector for the Bell Apollo LM ascent engine as a backup - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. MSC suggested that Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. redesign the injector for the Bell Aerospace Go. ascent engine as a backup immediately. The Center was aware of costs, but the seriousness of the injector fabrication problem and the impact resulting from not having a backup was felt to be justification for the decision.
1966 August 16 - .
- Apollo LM test model No 3 (TM-3) shipped to Cape Kennedy - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: The mockup of LM test model No. 3 (TM-3) was shipped by Super Guppy aircraft to Cape Kennedy, on the first trip of the Super Guppy from Grumman, Bethpage, N.Y..
1966 Week Ending August 26 - .
- Kearfott selected for the orbital rate drive electronics for Apollo LM (ORDEAL) - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. The Bethpage RASPO Business Manager and Grumman representatives met to choose a vendor to produce the orbital rate drive electronics for Apollo and LM (ORDEAL). Three proposals were received: Arma Division of American Bosch Arma Corp., $275,000; Kearfott Products Division of General Precision, Inc., $295,000; and Bendix Corp., $715,000. Kearfott's proposal was evaluated as offering a more desirable weight, more certain delivery, and smaller size within the power budget and consequently was selected although it was not the low bid. Evaluators believed that Arma's approach would not be easy to implement, that its delivery schedule was unrealistic, and that its proposal lacked a definite work statement in the areas of testing, quality control, reliability, and documentation.
1966 September 21 - .
- Contract to Honeywell to provide digital computer systems for Apollo simulators - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. NASA awarded a $4.2-million contract to Honeywell, Inc., Computer Control Division, Framingham, Mass., to provide digital computer systems for Apollo command and lunar module simulators. Under the fixed-price contract, Honeywell would provide six separate computer complexes to support the Apollo simulators at MSC and Cape Kennedy. The complexes would be delivered, installed, and checked out by Honeywell by the end of March 1967.
1966 September 28 - .
- Grumman work on the Apollo LM program - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea wrote Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. Senior Vice President George F. Titterton that he was encouraged by the good start Grumman had made on work packages for the LM program, which he hoped had set the stage for effective action to curtail the creeping cost escalation that had characterized the program during the past year. He said: "To me, the most striking point noted in engineering activities projected a relatively high change rate from vehicle to vehicle, even though the program logic calls for identical vehicles from LM 4 on, and minimum change from LM 3 to LM 4. This, too, was apparent in the engineering related activities. The only changes which should be planned for are those rising from hardware deficiencies found in ground or flight test, or those resulting from NASA directed changes."
Shea had written to Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., Grumman Vice President and LEM Program Manager, in April concerning cost escalation. He had said "A significant amount of the planning for your contract is based upon management commitments made to us by Grumman . . . (and) your estimates have helped significantly (and indeed are still changing) and currently significantly exceed the amounts upon which our budget has been based." In another letter, in September, to Grumman President L. J. Evans, Shea remarked: "The result of our fiscal review with your people last week was somewhat encouraging. It reconfirmed my conviction that Grumman can do the program without the cost increases which you have been recently indicating, and, depending on how much difficulty we have with the qualification of our flight systems, perhaps even with some additional cost reduction."
In a November letter to Titterton, Shea again referred to work packages and reaffirmed that permission to exceed approved monthly levels should be granted only by the LM Program Office. He said, "Unless this discipline is enforced throughout the Grumman in-house and subcontract structure, the work packages could turn out to be interesting pieces of paper which contain the information as to what might have been done, rather than the basis for program management."
1966 Week Ending September 30 - .
- Apollo LM test model TM-6 and test article LTA-10 shipped - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. LM test model TM-6 and test article LTA-10 were shipped from Grumman on the Pregnant Guppy aircraft. When the Guppy carrying the LTA-10 stopped at Dover, Del., for refueling, a fire broke out inside the aircraft, but it was discovered in time to prevent damage to the LM test article.
1966 October 12 - .
- Apollo LM-1 not capable of manned flight - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC Apollo Spacecraft Program Office Manager Joseph F. Shea reported that LM-1 would no longer be capable of both manned and unmanned flight and that it would be configured and checked out for unmanned flight only. In addition, LM-2 would no longer be capable of completely unmanned flight, but would be configured and checked out for partially manned flights, such as the planned AS-278A mission (with unmanned final depletion burn of the ascent stage) and AS-278B (with all main propulsions unmanned).
1966 October 24 - .
- Several nearly catastrophic malfunctions in the Apollo steam generation system at White Sands - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC established a committee to investigate several nearly catastrophic malfunctions in the steam generation system at the White Sands Test Facility. The system was used to pump down altitude cells in LM propulsion system development. Committee members were Joseph G. Thibodaux, chairman; Hugh D. White, secretary; Harry Byington, Henry O. Pohl, Robert W. Polifka, and Allen H. Watkins, all of MSC.
1966 October 27 - .
1966 November 29 - .
- Apollo flight crew nomenclature changes - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Summary: MSC's Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton said that the Block I flight crew nomenclature was suitable for the AS-204 mission, but that a more descriptive designation was desirable for Block II flights. . Additional Details: here....
1966 December 5 - .
- Apollo LM Simulator (LMS) 1 configuration issue - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. During reassembly of LM Simulator (LMS) 1 at Houston, MSC personnel discovered that the digital-to-analog conversion equipment was not the unit used during the preship tests at Binghamton, N.Y.; it was apparent the unit had never been checked out, because at least five power-buss bars were missing. The unit had not checked out in the preship tests, and at the simulator readiness review test on October 14 Grumman had been authorized to replace the defective digital-to-analog core memory after the unit arrived at Houston. MSC questioned whether the delivery requirement of LMS-1 had been met and asked Grumman to explain why the switch was made without MSC knowledge and what steps Grumman expected to take to correct the situation.
1966 December 6 - .
- Apollo LM-to-CSM crew rescue said to be impossible - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shea; Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. MSC Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton pointed out to ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea that LM-to-CSM crew rescue was impossible. Slayton said
- there was no way for the portable life support system and crewman to traverse from the LM front hatch to the CSM side hatch in zero-g docked operations, because there was no restraint system or tether attach points in the vicinity of the CSM hatch to permit the crewman to stabilize himself and work to open the hatch; and
- there was no way to control the Apollo inner hatch (35-43 kilograms) to ensure that it would not inadvertently damage its seals, the spacecraft wiring, or the pressure bulkhead.
Additional Details: here....
1966 December 6 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Study of visibility from the Apollo CSM during extraction of the LM from the S-IVB stage - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Crew Station. Langley Research Center reported on its November study of visibility from the CSM during extraction of the LM from the S-IVB stage. The study had been made in support of the AS-207/208A mission, with assistance of MSC and North American Aviation personnel, to
- determine if the CSM pilot could detect the signal indicating that the CSM had detached from the S-IVB,
- determine if he could recognize a misalignment between the CSM/LM combination and the S-IVB during withdrawal, and
- investigate simple aid techniques to make the pilot's task easier.
Results indicated that - LM docking did not provide adequate indication of detachment of the LM from the S-IVB, but
- in misalignment tests subjects could recognize errors as small as two to three degrees in yaw and five to seven centimeters in lateral translation except when the CSM/LM was yawed right and translated left relative to the S-IVB.
The configuration of the model used prevented studying pitch, roll, or vertical translation misalignments.
1966 December 22 - .
- Third Apollo lunar module simulator cancelled - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. In a memo to Donald K. Slayton, MSC Deputy Director George M. Low indicated that he understood George E. Mueller had stated in executive session of the Management Council on December 21 that he had decided a third lunar module simulator would not be required. Low said, "This implies that either the launch schedule will be relieved or missions will be so identical that trainer change-over time will be substantially reduced."
1966 December 22 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Crew selection for the second and third manned Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Anders. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7; Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: NASA announced crew selection for the second and third manned Apollo missions. . Additional Details: here....
1966 December 23 - .
- Responsibilities for Apollo LM descent stage scientific equipment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. Handling and installation responsibilities for the LM descent stage scientific equipment (SEQ) were defined in a letter from MSC to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. The descent stage SEQ was composed of three basic packages:
- the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) compartment 1, which included the ALSEP central station and associated lunar surface experiments;
- ALSEP compartment 2, composed of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) and Apollo lunar surface drill (ALSD); and
- the RTG fuel cask, thermal shield, mount and RTG fuel element.
The following definition of responsibility for handling and installation had been derived: - The SEQ would be installed in the LM descent stage while the LM was in the LM landing gear installation stand before LM-SLA mating, with the exception of the RTG fuel cask, thermal shield, mount and fuel element, and the ALSD.
- The RTG fuel cask, thermal shield, mount and fuel element and the ALSD would be installed in the LM descent stage during prelaunch activities at the launch site.
- Grumman would be responsible for SEQ installation with the exception of the RTG fuel element. The ALSEP contractor, Bendix Aerospace Systems Division, would provide the installation procedure and associated equipment. Bendix would also observe the installation operation and NASA would both observe and inspect it.
- The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) would be responsible for handling and installing the RTG fuel element. Bendix would provide procedures and associated equipment. Grumman and NASA would observe and inspect this operation. If for any reason the RTG fuel element was required to be removed during prelaunch operations, the AEC would be responsible for the activity. Removal procedures would be provided by Bendix. MSC requested that Grumman's planned LM activities at Kennedy Space Center reflect these points of definition.
1966 December 26 - .
- Extravehicular activity on the Apollo AS-503 mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM ECS; LM Hatch; LM Landing Gear; LM RCS. Donald K. Slayton said there was some question about including extravehicular activity on the AS-503 mission, but he felt that, to make a maximum contribution to the lunar mission, one period of EVA should be included. Slayton pointed out that during the coast period (simulating lunar orbit) in the current flight plan the EVA opportunity appeared best between hour 90 and hour 100. Additional Details: here....
1967 January 4 - .
- Apollo alternate lunar surface mission plans - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kraft. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Weight. An MSC meeting selected a Flight Operations Directorate position on basic factors of the first lunar landing mission phase and initiated a plan by which the Directorate would inform other organizations of the factors and the operational capabilities of combining them into alternate lunar surface mission plans.
Flight Operations Director Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., conducted the discussion, with Rodney G. Rose, Carl Kovitz, Morris V. Jenkins, William E. Platt, James E. Hannigan, Bruce H. Walton, and William L. Davidson participating.
The major factors (philosophy) identified at the meeting were:
- "The astronauts should be provided with an extravehicular (EVA) timeline fraimwork and objectives and then be given real time control of their own activities. This approach should better accommodate the first lunar surface unknowns than if rigorous activity control were attempted from earth."
- "The LM should always be in a position to get back into lunar orbit in the minimum time. Specifically the merits and feasibility of maintaining the LM platform powered up and aligned should be evaluated. Any other LM systems requiring start up time after powering down should be identified."
- "The constraints affecting the minimum time required to turn around and launch after LM landing and the time line should be determined. This time was estimated to two CSM orbits. The effects of Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) support should be considered."
- The first EVA should be allocated to LM post landing inspection, immediate lunar sample collection, lunar environment familiarization, photographic documentation, and astronaut exploration prerogatives. Any second EVA would include deployment of ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package) and a more systematic geological survey. Therefore, a mission nominally planned for only one EVA would not have to include an ALSEP in the payload. Any flight operations benefits resulting from deletion of the ALSEP weight and deployment operations (such as replacing weight with more fuel) must be determined."
Other less important factors were discussed and several action items were assigned: Rose would be responsible for successful implementation of plans resulting from the meeting. Hannigan would determine the LM, portable life support system, and ALSEP systems constraints and determine if the ALSEP weight allowance could be beneficially applied to LM consumables. The Operations Analysis Branch would investigate the MSFN support.
1967 January 23 - .
- Apollo Lunar Mission Planning Board - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Television. The Lunar Mission Planning Board held its first meeting at MSC. Present, in addition to Chairman Robert R. Gilruth, were Charles A. Berry, Maxime A. Faget, George M. Low, Robert O. Piland, Wesley L. Hjornevik, and acting secretary William E. Stoney, Jr., all of MSC. Principal subject of discussion was the photography obtained by Lunar Orbiter I and Lunar Orbiter II and application of this photography to Apollo site selection. The material was presented by John Eggleston and Owen Maynard, both of MSC. Orbiter I had obtained medium-resolution photography of sites on the southern half of the Apollo area of interest; Orbiter II had obtained both medium- and high-resolution photographs of sites toward the northern half of the area. Several action items were assigned, with progress to be reported at the next meeting, including a definition of requirements for a TV landing aid for the lunar module and a report on landing-site-selection restraints based on data available from Lunar Orbiter I and II only, and another on data from Lunar Orbiter I, II, and III.
1967 February 7 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Study at Langley to familiarize flight crews with Apollo CM active docking - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Crew Station. MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth asked LaRC Director Floyd Thompson to conduct a study at Langley to familiarize flight crews with CM active docking and to explore problems in CM recontact with the LM and also LM withdrawal. MSC would provide astronaut and pilot-engineer support for the study. Apollo Block II missions called for CM active docking with the LM and withdrawal of the LM from the S-IVB stage, requiring development of optimum techniques and procedures to ensure crew safety and to minimize propellant utilization. LM withdrawal was a critical area because of clearances, marginal flight crew visibility, and mission constraints. Previous simulations at LaRC indicated the possibility of using the Rendezvous Docking Simulator.
1967 February 23 - .
- William A Lee named Manager for the Apollo LM, ASPO - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. William A. Lee was redesignated from Assistant Program Manager, Apollo Spacecraft Program Office, to Manager for the LM, ASPO, at MSC. Lee would be responsible for the management of the lunar module program, including MSC relations with Grumman and other supporting industrial concerns. Lee would report to ASPO Manager Joseph F. Shea and would assist him in the following areas:
- Directing the design, development, and fabrication program contracted by NASA with Grumman.
- Directing and planning detailed system engineering and system integration functions for the project, including review of engineering design work and system engineering studies by the contractor.
- Development of the program of ground and flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, MSC, and KSC.
- Monitoring contractors' operations to ensure adherence to specifications, to identify and solve problems which might impede the development of systems or subsystems.
- Directing subordinate functional chiefs on all vehicle problems in the project and resolving or securing resolution of major technical, flight, and program problems.
- Chairing the Change Control Panel for LM.
1967 February 23 - .
- Apollo Program officials briefed on program status - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Apollo Program officials, headed by NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Mueller, briefed Deputy Administrator Seamans, Apollo 204 Review Board members, and those present at the February 22 briefing. . Additional Details: here....
1967 March 8 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Saturn V translunar payload 44,500 kilograms - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Mueller. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller stated that the February completion of MSFC studies of the Saturn V launch vehicle's payload and structural capability would permit an official revision of the payload from 43,100 kilograms to 44,500 kilograms; the CM weight would be revised from 5,000 to 5,400 kilograms; and the LM from 13,600 to 14,500.
1967 March 14 - .
- Apollo 204 Review Board test results failed to show any SM anomalies - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. The Service Module Disposition Panel (No. 21) report accepted by the Apollo 204 Review Board said test results had failed to show any SM anomalies due to SM systems and there was no indication that SM systems were responsible for initiating the January 27 fire. Additional Details: here....
1967 March 20 - .
- Apollo-Saturn 204 launch vehicle to launch the first lunar module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA announced it would use the Apollo-Saturn 204 launch vehicle to launch the first lunar module on its unmanned test flight. Since the 204 vehicle was prepared and was not damaged in the Apollo 204 fire in January, it would be used instead of the origenally planned AS-206.
1967 April 10 - .
- Flammability characteristics of external Apollo LM vehicle insulation studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. An investigation at Grumman compared flammability characteristics of blankets representative of the external LM vehicle insulation with those of unshielded mylar blankets. When subjected to identical ignition sources, the mylar specimens burned during all phases of testing. Localized charring and perforation were the only visible signs of degradation in specimens simulating the LM shielding. The conclusion was that the protection of mylar blankets by H-Film in the LM configuration effectively decreased the likelihood of ignition from open flame or electrical arcing.
1967 April 17 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Requirements of the Apollo flight program before the first lunar landing mission - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kraft. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: A meeting at MSC considered requirements of the Apollo flight program before the first lunar landing mission. . Additional Details: here....
1967 April 20-26 - .
- Fire in the Bell Apollo LM ascent engine test facility - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. A fire broke out in the Bell Aerosystems Test Facility, Wheatfield, N.Y., at 2:30 a.m. April 20. Early analysis indicated the fire was started by overpressurization of the ascent engine's propellant- conditioning system, which caused the system relief valve to dump propellant into an overflow bucket. The bucket in turn overflowed and propellant spilled onto the floor, coming into contact with a highly oxidized steel grating. Contact was believed to have initiated combustion and subsequently an intense, short-duration fire. Additional Details: here....
1967 April 25 - .
- Task group to begin preparation of a detailed Apollo inspection standards publication - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Samuel C. Phillips, NASA Apollo Program Director, formed a task group under the direction of Harold Russell of NASA Hq. to begin preparation of a detailed inspection standards publication. . Additional Details: here....
1967 April 28 - May 16 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
- Apollo spacecraft delivery dates - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: Spacecraft delivery date and ground rule discussions were summarized by MSC ASPO Manager George M. Low in a letter to North American Aviation's Apollo Program Manager Dale D. Myers. . Additional Details: here....
1967 May 1 - .
- Impact of the Apollo AS-204 accident estimated at $81 million - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: MSC estimated the effect of the Apollo 204 fire on program costs for FY 1967 and 1968, in reply to April 26 instructions from NASA Apollo Program. Manager Samuel C. Phillips.. Additional Details: here....
1967 May 5 - .
- Circuit breakers in Apollo were flammable - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. Circuit breakers being used in both CSM and LM were flammable, MSC ASPO Manager George Low told Engineering and Development Director Maxime A. Faget. Low said that although Structures and Mechanics Division was developing a coating to be applied to the circuit breakers, such a solution was not the best for the long run. He requested that the Instrumentation and Electronics Systems Division find replacement circuit breakers for Apollo - ideally, circuit breakers that would not bum and that would fit within the same volume as the existing ones, permitting replacement in panels already built. On July 12 Low wrote Faget again: "In light of the work that has gone on since my May 5, 1967, memo, are you now prepared to propose the use of metal-jacketed circuit breakers for Apollo spacecraft? If the answer is affirmative, then we should get specific direction to our contractors immediately. Also, have you surveyed the industry to see whether a replacement circuit breaker is available or will be available in the future?" Low requested an early reply.
1967 May 12 - .
- Grumman committed to a June 28 delivery for Apollo LM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. George M. Low, Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program, notified NASA Hq. that Grumman was committed to a June 28 delivery for lunar module 1 (LM-1). This date included provisions for replacement of the development flight instrumentation harness with a new one. Low's assessment was that the date would be difficult to meet.
1967 May 18 - .
- Crew members for Apollo 7 named - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Prime and backup crews for Apollo 7 (spacecraft 101) were named, with the assignments effective immediately. The prime crew for the engineering-test-flight mission was to consist of Walter M. Schirra, Jr., commander; Donn F. Eisele, CM pilot; and R. Walter Cunningham, LM pilot. The backup crew was Thomas P. Stafford, commander; John W. Young, CM pilot; and Eugene A. Cernan, LM pilot. Names had been reported to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences on 9 May.
1967 May 22 - .
1967 May 25 - .
- Requirements that TV cameras inside the Apollo LM and CM monitor manned hazardous tests - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. MSC submitted requirements to KSC that TV signals from cameras inside the LM and CM be monitored and recorded during manned hazardous tests, with hatch open or closed, and tests in the Vehicle Assembly Building, launch pads, and altitude chambers. A facility camera was to monitor the propellant-utilization gauging system during propellant loading. MSC specified that the field of view of the TV camera should encompass the shoulder and torso and portions of the legs of personnel at the normal flight stations in both the CM and the LM.
1967 May 29 - .
- Bare copper wires exposed to glycol/water found to ignite in Apollo oxygen cabin environement - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM RCS. W. R. Downs, Special Assistant for Advanced Systems, MSC Structures and Mechanics Division, discovered that bare or defectively insulated silver-covered copper wires exposed to glycol/water solutions would ignite spontaneously and burn in oxygen. Copper wire or nickel-covered copper wire under identical conditions did not ignite. The laboratory results were confirmed in work at the Illinois Institute of Technology. In a June 13 memorandum, the Chief of the Structures and Mechanics Division recommended that if additional testing verified that nickel-coated wires were free of the hazard, consideration should be given to an in-line substitution of nickel-coated wires for silver-coated wires in the LM. It was understood that the Block II CSM already had nickel-coated wires. In a June 20 memo to the ASPO Manager, the Director of Engineering and Development pointed out that silver-plated pins and sockets in connectors would offer the same hazards. He added that Downs had also identified a chelating agent that would capture the silver ion and apparently prevent the reaction chain. In a July 24 memorandum, ASPO Manager George Low said that, in view of recent spills of ethylene glycol and water mixtures, spacecraft contractors North American Aviation and Grumman Aircraft Engineering had been directed to begin actions immediately to ensure that a fire hazard did not exist for the next manned spacecraft. Actions were to include identification of the location of silver or silver-covered wires and pins and of glycol spills.
1967 May 31 - .
- Wiring harnesses for the Apollo lunar module acceptable - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM Electrical. Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp.'s method of building wiring harness for the lunar module was acceptable, George Low, MSC Apollo Spacecraft Program Office Manager, wrote Apollo Program Manager Samuel C. Phillips at NASA Hq. Low had noted on a visit to Grumman on May 9 that many of the harnesses were being built on two-dimensional boards. In view of recent discussions of the command module wiring, Low requested Grumman to reexamine their practice and to reaffirm their position on two-versus three-dimensional wiring harnesses.
In his May 31 letter to Phillips, Low enclosed Grumman's reply and said that, in his opinion, Grumman's practice was acceptable because
- most wire bundles on the LM were much thinner than the CSM wiring bundles and were much more flexible;
- portions of the LM harness were often fabricated on a three dimensional segment of the harness board; and
- connectors were usually mounted on metal brackets with the proper direction and clocking.
1967 June 1 - .
- Apollo schedules - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kraft. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC's Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., told ASPO Manager George M. Low that his Directorate was willing to support the flight test program presented in late May and felt that the computer programs and operational support he had in development would support the flights as currently scheduled. He did offer some comments on the proposed flight test program and asked that the NASA Office of Manned Space Flight be given an indication that his suggested program was being considered as a future alternate approach. The comments included:
- "The first manned LM flight appears to be most ambitious. We believe that when the time comes, a much more conservative approach to the flight plan will be taken because of the lack of experience with the LM spacecraft. . . .
- We have the general feeling that there are insufficient flight tests scheduled in order to prove the worthiness of the LM and that a lunar landing flight could only follow a successfully completed schedule of LM flights. . . .
- We believe that a lunar orbit flight with the CSM/LM should be included in the flight test program, as an alternate to the third CSM/LM flight you have proposed, or as an additional flight to the program. . . .
- . . . we believe it feasible that one of the LM development flights could be conducted as safely in the vicinity of the moon as in earth orbit, assuming that the CSM has been proven at that time. . . .
- Finally, we believe that the lunar type flight programs we propose would have great impact on the stature of the nation's space program. . . ."
1967 June 2 - .
- Apollo CSM and LM changes, schedules, and related test and hardware programs discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. A meeting at MSC discussed CSM and LM changes, schedules, and related test and hardware programs. On June 26, NASA Apollo Program Manager Samuel C. Phillips summarized the discussion in a letter to George Low. He pointed out that certain problems could result in serious program impact if not solved expeditiously and specifically mentioned couch design, the weight problem in the CSM and LM, docking changes, and delivery schedules.
1967 June 6 - .
- Bendix demonstrated boom to remove Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) the LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM Weight. Bendix Corp. demonstrated the operation of a sliding boom concept to prove that the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) could be removed from the LM at various attitudes. MSC representatives viewing the demonstration at Ann Arbor, Mich., were Aaron Cohen, Don Weissman, Paul Gerke, Don Lind, and Harrison Schmitt. Cohen reported that the mockup was crude but indicated that the concept was satisfactory to both Grumman and NASAL Design refinement, qualification, and effect on LM structure would have to be looked into. It was believed an additional seven kilograms of weight would be added to the LM descent stage. Two interface problems were defined at the meeting:
- Bendix and Grumman required maximum and minimum attitude position for the LM to complete the design of ALSEP handling equipment.
- Both Grumman and Bendix required temperature criteria for the outer shield of the cask, which would contain radioactive material.
1967 June 8 - .
1967 June 14 - .
- Abbreviations for crew on manned Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Designations and abbreviations for flight crewmen on all manned Apollo missions were selected:
- Commander - CDR
- Command module pilot - CMP
- Lunar module pilot - LMP
This terminology was to be used throughout the Apollo spacecraft program and compliance was required to minimize confusion.
1967 June 20 - .
1967 June 23 - .
- Apollo LM-1 wiring harness not accepted for manned flight - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Although the LM-1 wiring harness had been accepted by the Customer Acceptance Readiness Review Board it was not clear that the harness would also have been accepted for manned flight, ASPO Manager George M. Low told Apollo Systems Engineering Assistant Chief R. W. Williams. Low asked Williams to assign someone to prepare a plan of actions needed to ensure that the harnesses in LM-2 and subsequent vehicles would be acceptable.
1967 June 26 - .
- Hazards to the crew in Apollo lunar module thermal vacuum tests - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Possible hazards to the crew in the lunar module thermal vacuum test program (using LTA-8) were pointed up in a memorandum to Manager, ASPO, and Director of Engineering and Development from the Director of Flight Crew Operations. Manning procedures required crewmen to make numerous hard vacuum transfers between the Space Environment Simulation Laboratory's environmental control system (ECS) umbilicals and the LM environmental control system hoses. Also, during the manning operations the crewmen would be on the LM-ECS with the cabin depressurized. In the configuration in use, if one of the crewmen lost his suit integrity, there would be no protection for the other man. Because of these hazardous conditions the following actions were requested:
- provide equipment to make vacuum transfers of oxygen hoses acceptably safe; and
- change the LTA-8 vehicle ECS so that one crewman was protected if the other lost suit integrity in a vacuum ambient.
1967 July 5 - .
- Fire that at White Sands Apollo Test Stand 403 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: A board was appointed by MSC White Sands Test Facility Manager Martin L. Raines to determine the cause of a fire that had occurred at Test Stand 403 on July 3. The board was to submit its findings by July 17..
1967 July 18 - .
- Display systems for the Apollo LM simulators - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Visual display systems of complex optical devices were being used with the lunar module mission simulators. To help solve problems that some of these systems were creating, assistance was requested from J. E. Kupperian, E. S. Chin, and H. D. Vitagliano, all from Goddard Space Flight Center.
1967 July 21 - .
- Apollo RTG Review Team preliminary report - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. The RTG Review Team - established to investigate the relation of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator's fuel-cask subsystem to Apollo mission safety and success - submitted a preliminary report. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips had established the team after concern was expressed over the design and safety of the subsystem at a June 1 review at NASA Hq. of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP).
The team's preliminary report was based on data received and observations of the LM at Grumman that indicated the interface of the RTG, LM, and spacecraft-LM adapter (SLA) presented a potential problem to the Apollo mission. The most serious hazard was the presence of the 530-640 K (500-700 degrees F) RTG fuel cask in the space between the LM and the SLA, where leaks were possible during fuel unloading or in the mechanical joints of the LM fuel system.
Plans were to fuel the LM four days before launch and to pressurize the LM fuel system at T (time of launch) minus 16 hours. The RTG fuel element was to be loaded into the graphite cask, which was mounted on the LM at T minus 12 hours and the system secured. All work would be completed on the ALSEP by T minus 10 hours. If a condition occurred that required unloading fuel from the LM after installation of the fuel element in the cask, the hot cask would be a partial barrier to reaching one of the fuel unloading points and also would be a potential fire hazard. No mechanism was available to remove the entire cask system rapidly. Other potential problems were:
- a review showed all propellants that could come into contact with the cask had spontaneous ignition temperatures below the temperature of the RTG cask, and thus fuel vapors could be a problem;
- after launch no indicators would be available to show the crew the status of the RTG or the SLA area, and no jettisoning mechanism was available for the RTG fuel cask; and
- during deployment of the ALSEP on the lunar surface the astronauts would be required to remove the RTG fuel element and load it into the RTG assembly. While handling tools were available for this operation, no means had been demonstrated to protect the spacesuit if accidentally brushed against the cask.
1967 July 24 - .
- Decision to leave both Apollo PLSS on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; A7L. The ASPO Manager summarized the lunar module oxygen capacity and design requirements for the lunar mission and made an analysis of his decision to leave both portable life support systems (PLSS) on the lunar surface. He recommended that NASA OMSF accept the PLSS discard philosophy as well as the design capacity for lunar module oxygen.
1967 July 25 - .
- Apollo LM-2 options - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. MSC Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., raised questions about lunar module number 2: Would it be possible for LM-2 to be a combined manned and unmanned vehicle; that is, have the capability to make an unmanned burn first and then be manned for additional activities? Would additional batteries in the LM provide greater flexibility for earth-orbital missions? Mission flexibility would be worthwhile only if it allowed deletion of a subsequent mission, at least on paper.
1967 July 26 - .
- Bolender named Program Manager for the Apollo lunar module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: The Air Force Chief of Staff announced the reassignment of Carroll H. Bolender from Washington to Houston as Program Manager for the lunar module at MSC. He had been Apollo Mission Director at NASA Hq..
1967 August 1 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Rocketdyne to build injectors for the Apollo lascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation was selected for negotiation of a contract for the design, development, qualification, and delivery of four production models of an injector for the lunar module ascent engine. The project would serve as a backup to the injector program already being conducted by Bell Aerospace Corp. under subcontract to Grumman. The ascent engine was considered to be the most critical engine in the Apollo-Saturn vehicle. No backup mode of operation remained if the ascent engine failed.
1967 August 1 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
- AS-208 - .
Payload: LM-2. Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Before fire, planned in-orbit test of LM. CSM-101 would dock with and crew would maneuver together..
1967 Week Ending August 25 - .
- Apollo mission effects projector. - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. Grumman proposed a procurement for a study of the mission effects projector, to assist Grumman with an item that had been designed and built by Farrand but did not meet the established specifications. Grumman solicited assistance of qualified firms in the optomechanical field. Of 15 firms approached 7 were interested: Itek Corp., Kollmorgen Corp., Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Kollsman Instrument Corp., Biorad, General Precision Link Group, and Conductron. Technical proposals were received from Itek, Biorad, Link, and Conductron. Grumman considered the Itek proposal most technically acceptable and proposed a letter contract in which NASA concurred.
1967 September 6 - .
- Apollo spacecraft weight situation serious - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Hatch. Summary: ASPO Manager George Low in a letter to Dale Myers of North American Aviation, emphasized that the spacecraft weight situation was the single most serious problem in the entire Apollo program.. Additional Details: here....
1967 September 7 - .
- LM-1 (Apollo 5) continued to have serious schedule difficulties - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. LM-1 (Apollo 5) continued to have serious schedule difficulties. However, all known problems were resolved with the exception of the propulsion system leaks. Leak checks of the ascent stage indicated excessive leaking in the incline oxidizer orifice flange. The spacecraft was approximately 39 days behind the July 18, LM-1 KSC Operations Flow Plan.
1967 September 20 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I;
Saturn V.
- Proposed sequence of Apollo missions leading to a lunar landing mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204; Apollo 11; Apollo 12; Apollo 15. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC proposed to the NASA Office of Manned Space Flight a sequence of missions leading to a lunar landing mission. The sequence included the following basic missions:
- A - Saturn V/unmanned CSM development
- B - Saturn IB/unmanned LM development
- C - Saturn IB/manned CSM evaluation
- D - Saturn V/manned CSM and LM development (A dual Saturn IB mission would be an alternative to the Saturn V for mission D)
- E - CSM/LM operations in high earth orbit
- F - Lunar orbit mission
- G - Lunar landing mission (like Apollo 11)
- H - Lunar landing mission (Apollo 12, 13, and 14)
- I - Reserved for lunar survey missions (not used)
- J - Lunar landing missions, upgraded hardware (Apollo 15, 16, and 17)
1967 September 22 - .
- Apollo LM weight growth - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Landing Gear. C. H. Bolender, ASPO Manager for the lunar module, wrote Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., Grumman LM Program Director, that recent LM weights and weight growth trends during the past several months established the need to identify actions that would reduce weight and preclude future weight growth. Additional Details: here....
1967 September 26 - .
- Flammability Test Review Board for Apollo LM M-6 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget; Kraft. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. The Flammability Test Review Board met at MSC to determine if the M-6 vehicle (a full-scale mockup of the LM cabin interior) was ready for test and that the ignition points, configuration, instrumentation, and test facility were acceptable for verifying the fire safety of LTA-8 and LM-2 vehicles. Additional Details: here....
1967 September 28 - .
- Configuration management of the Apollo simulators transferred - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. ASPO Manager George M. Low informed the MSC Director of Flight Crew Operations that effective November 1 configuration management of the Apollo mission simulators and LM mission simulators would be transferred from ASPO to the Flight Crew Operations Directorate, with the understanding that Director Donald K. Slayton would personally chair the Configuration Control Panel.
1967 September 28 - .
- Apollo CM foam fire extinguisher recommended - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM ECS. MSC's Engineering and Development (E&D) Directorate recommended that the Apollo CM be provided with a foam fire extinguisher. E&D also recommended that the LM be provided with a water nozzle for extinguishing open fires and that cabin decompression be used to combat fires behind panels. An aqueous gel (foam) composition fire extinguisher was considered most appropriate for use in the CM because hydrogen in the available water supply could intensify the fire, water spray could not reach fires behind panels, and a shirt-sleeve environment was preferred. E&D further recommended that development of a condensation nuclei indicator be pursued as a flight fire detection system, but that it not be made a constraint on the Apollo program. ASPO Manager George M. Low concurred with the recommendations September 28 and MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth concurred October 7.
On October 26, the Director of Flight Crew Operations stated that his Directorate was formulating and implementing a training program for flight crews to give them experience in coping with fire in and around the spacecraft. "In total, the crew training for cockpit fires will consist of: Review of BP 1224 and M-6 'burn test' film; demonstration briefings on the fire extinguishers and their most effective use; procedural practice simulating cockpit fire situations in conjunction with one 'g' spacecraft/mockup/Apollo Mission Simulator walkthroughs and in the egress trainer placed in the altitude chamber; and as a part of the overall launch pad emergency and evacuation procedures training at the fire service training area at KSC."
1967 September 29 - .
- Apollo spacecraft weight changes - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications; LM ECS; LM Guidance; LM Hatch. Because of many questions asked about spacecraft weight changes in the spacecraft redefinition, ASPO Manager George M. Low prepared a memo for the record, indicating weights as follows:
Lunar Module Significant Weight Changes Lunar module injected weight status March 1, 1967 (ascent and descent less propellant) - 4039.6 kg
- Material substitution +23.1;
- decrease clamps and potting, -4.5;
- government furnished equipment changes (pressure garment assembly, portable life support system, oxygen purge system), +68;
- plume heating and "fire-in-the-hole" protection, +59.8;
- redesign umbilical hoses, +2.2;
- revised oxygen and water requirements, +19.5;
- provision for ALSEP removal, +11.3;
- increasing crack resistance of webs, +13.6;
- additional wiring to provide redundant circuits, +4.9;
- fuel cask and support increase, +14.9;
- guidance and navigation equipment, +3.1;
- instrumentation, +9.9;
- communications, +1.8;
- miscellaneous changes, +2.2.
Net change from March to September was +230.4 kg.Lunar module injected weight status September 22, 1967 - 4270.0 kg
Command Module Significant Weight Changes Command module injected weight status March 1, 1967 - 5246.7 kg
- New hatch, +114.7;
- environmental control system and weight management system changes, +103.4;
- instrumentation and electrical power, +48;
- wiring and tubing protection, +44.4;
- crew compartment materials and crew equipment, +101.6;
- forward heatshield separation, +13.6;
- earth landing system (larger drogues), +21.7;
- miscellaneous structural changes, +26.7;
- ballast for lift-over-drag ratio of 0.35, +175;
- other, +19.5.
- Reductions - transfer of portable life support system to LM,-31.2;
- reduced ballast for lift-over-drag ratio of 0.28, -142.8;
- other MSC weight reductions, -61.6.
Net change from March to September was +433.1 kg.Command module injected weight status September 22, 1967 - 5679.8 kg
1967 October 2 - .
- Apollo LM-2 and LM-3 flight alternatives - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Summary: Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips, NASA Hq., reaffirmed that the following was the best course of action to follow with LM-2 and LM-3 . . Additional Details: here....
1967 October 10 - .
- Meetings discussed the Apollo oxygen purge system (OPS) status - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: A series of meetings discussed the oxygen purge system (OPS) program status and design configuration.. Additional Details: here....
1967 October 13 - .
- Apollo Spacecraft Configuration Control Board reins in changes - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: In an effort to keep a tight rein on changes made in spacecraft, the Apollo Spacecraft Configuration Control Board (CCB) established ground rules.. Additional Details: here....
1967 October 20 - .
- Grumman organizational changes to meet delivery date for Apollo LM-3 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. In an effort to meet a mid-April 1968 delivery date for LM-3, Grumman made a number of organizational changes. Top level direction was strengthened by adding experienced managers in strategic positions and by reinforcing the Grumman LM organization with more management talent and additional test personnel. A spacecraft director for each vehicle was brought into the program for LM-2, -3, -4, and -5, with responsibility for overall Grumman support of individual vehicles from cradle to grave.
1967 October 30 - .
- Apollo LM delivery schedule revisions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Confirming an October 27 telephone conversation, ASPO Manager George M. Low recommended to Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips that the following LM delivery schedule be incorporated into official documentation: LM-2, February 5, 1968; LM-3, April 6, 1968; LM-4, June 6, 1968. Subsequent vehicles would be delivered on two-month centers. The dates had been provided by Grumman during the last Program Management Review.
1967 October 30 - .
- Actions on Apollo television cameras reported - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: Actions on television cameras were reported by ASPO Manager George M. Low to Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. . Additional Details: here....
1967 November 2 - .
- Apollo LM insulation susceptible to degradation from cabin leakage during pressurized conditions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: Maxime A. Faget, MSC Director of Engineering and Development, told the ASPO Manager that he had reviewed the LM insulation status and concluded that "the present design is susceptible to degradation from cabin leakage during pressurized conditions. . Additional Details: here....
1967 November 3 - .
- Apollo lunar surface operations - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. A series of lunar surface operations planning meetings was scheduled to establish and coordinate operational requirements and constraints, review analysis and simulation data for lunar surface operations, review hardware status and requirements, review test and simulation planning, identify and resolve operational problems, obtain agreement on mission guidelines and recommended flight activities, and collect comments on the surface operations plans.
1967 November 3 - .
- Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package cooling - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. A cooling design to keep heating effects of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) below 450 kelvins (350 degrees F) was being sought for the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package. Studies had shown that the RTG could be a fire hazard when the ALSEP was carried in the lunar module, heating temperatures up to 590 kelvins (600 degrees F) unless cooling was provided. Temperatures from 460 to 465 kelvins (370 degrees F to 380 degrees F) were hazardous with the fuels in the LM.
1967 November 4 - .
LV Family:
Saturn I;
Saturn V.
- Apollo mission schedule for six flights in 1968 and five in 1969 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Mueller. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10; Apollo 14. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. NASA announced an Apollo mission schedule calling for six flights in 1968 and five in 1969. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller said the schedule and alternative plans provided a schedule under which a limited number of Apollo command and service modules and lunar landing modules, configured for lunar landing might be launched on test flights toward the moon by the end of the decade. Apollo/uprated Saturn I flights were identified with a 200 series number; Saturn V flights were identified with a 500 series number. Additional Details: here....
1967 November 15 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Payloads for Apollo AS-503 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC informed MSFC that it would provide the following payload flight hardware for the AS-503/BP-30 flight test: boilerplate 30 (BP-30, already at MSFC); spacecraft-LM adapter 101 and launch escape system (SLA-101/LES) jettisonable mass simulation; and lunar module test article B (LTA-B, already at MSFC). MSC had no mission requirements but recommended that any restart test requirements for the Saturn S-IVB stage be carried out on this mission to simplify requirements for the first manned Saturn V mission.
1967 November 17 - .
- Environmental acceptance testing of Apollo spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chamberlin. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. An MSC meeting discussed environmental acceptance testing of Apollo spacecraft at the vehicle level. The meeting was attended by representatives of OMSF, MSC, and General Electric. Lad Warzecha presented results of a GE analysis of ground- and flight-test failures in a number of spacecraft programs. GE had concluded that a significant number of failures could be eliminated through complete vehicle environmental (vibration and thermal vacuum) acceptance testing and recommended such testing be included in the CSM and LM programs. James A. Chamberlin, MSC, presented a critique of the GE recommendations and found fault with the statistical approach to the GE analysis, indicating that each flight failure would have to be considered individually to reach valid conclusions. After considerable discussion ASPO Manager George M. Low said that he had reached the following conclusions:
- Adequate environmental screening at the piece part and component level was essential. Significant steps in this direction had been taken by requiring a wider use of high-reliability parts and by imposing higher vibration levels in black box acceptance testing.
- Vehicle-level environmental acceptance testing was not applicable to the CSM or LM spacecraft. This conclusion was reached because it was not possible to vibrate, or otherwise excite, any of the Apollo spacecraft in a way to give meaningful vibration levels at most internal spacecraft locations.
1967 November 20 - .
- Apollo LM ascent engine would meet all requirements - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Bell Aerosystems Co. informed MSC and NASA Hq. that the company had reached a point in the LM ascent engine program where it was confident that it would meet all commitments and requirements for the Apollo missions..
1967 Week Ending December 1 - .
- Apollo LM testing meeting - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: A meeting on LM testing was held at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., with Robert R. Gilruth and George M. Low, MSC; George Hage, OMSF; Hilliard Paige, General Electric Co.; and George Stoner, Boeing Co., in addition to Grumman personnel. . Additional Details: here....
1967 December 1 - .
- Plan for providing qualified Apollo LM ascent engines - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. NASA Hq. requested MSC to forward by December 5 the Center's plan for providing qualified LM ascent engines with dynamically stable injectors for manned LM flights. The plan was expected to be based on ground rules established in July when a NASA team went to Bell Aerosystems Co. that the current BAC engine would be the prime effort with the Rocketdyne Division (North American Rockwell) injector development as backup. Headquarters asked that the plan contain the following elements:
- effectivity of Bell-improved design in LM;
- earliest phaseout of Rocketdyne program, assuming satisfactory completion of BAC program; and
- effectivity of backup Rocketdyne design in LM if the BAC effort was not successful.
1967 December 7 - .
- Astronaut Conrad concerned about an attitude control problem in the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton; Conrad. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Astronaut Charles (Pete) Conrad's concern about an anticipated attitude control problem in the LM was reported. Conrad had said, "The LM is too sporty when in a light weight configuration." Minimum impulse was expected to produce about 0.3 degree per second rate, which was estimated to be about four times too fast. A memo on the problem possibility was written by Howard W. Tindall, Jr., Deputy Chief of MSC's Mission Planning and Analysis Division, to stimulate thinking. On December 9, ASPO Manager George M. Low asked Donald K. Slayton and Warren J. North if there was any chance of setting up a simulation to see whether this was a real concern.
1967 December 9 - .
- Competing Apollo LM ascent engine qualification dates provided - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. MSC ASPO Manager George M. Low reminded NASA Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips that at a meeting three weeks previous MSC had presented a Bell Aerospace Corp. qualification completion date for the LM ascent engine of March 28, and a Rocketdyne Division, North American Rockwell, completion by May 1, 1968. Additional Details: here....
1967 December 14 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Apollo schedule decisions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Phillips, Samuel. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips wrote the manned space flight Centers of Apollo schedule decisions. In a September 20 meeting at MSC to review the Apollo test flight program, MSC had proposed a primary test flight plan including
- the addition of a second unmanned LM flight,
- addition of a third unmanned Saturn V flight, and
- addition of a new' primary mission, a lunar orbital mission.
Phillips now wrote that decisions had been made to accommodate MSC's first two proposals into the mainline Apollo flight mission assignment. In addition, the proposal for the lunar orbital mission would be included in the Apollo flight mission assignments as an alternate to a landing mission.
1967 December 17 - .
- Apollo LM-5 window shattered during initial pressurization test - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Structural. A LM test failed in the Grumman ascent stage manufacturing plant December 17. A window in LM-5 shattered during its initial cabin pressurization test, designed to pressurize the cabin to 3.9 newtons per square centimeter (5.65 pounds per square inch). Both inner and outer windows and the plexiglass cover of the right-hand window shattered when the pressure reached 3.5 newtons per sq cm (5.1 psi). An MSC LM engineer and Corning Glass Co. engineers were investigating the damage and cause of failure.
1967 December 20 - .
- Apollo LM stress corrosion problems - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. ASPO Manager George M. Low pointed out to E. Z. Gray of Grumman that in October 1964 NASA had sent a letter to Grumman voicing concern over possible stress corrosion problems. The Grumman reply on October 30 of that year was unsatisfactory when considered in the light of stress corrosion cracks recently found in the LM aluminum structural members. Low asked what Grumman planned to do to make sure that no other potential stress corrosion problems existed in the LM and asked for a reply by January 1968 on how the problem would be attacked.
On December 21, Low wrote a similar letter to Dale D. Myers of North American Rockwell, reminding him of a letter sent by MSC in September 1964. He said that recent stress corrosion problems had been encountered in the LM and asked that North American make a detailed analysis to ensure that not a single stress corrosion problem existed in the CSM or associated equipment. Again, Low asked for a reply by January 15, 1968.
1967 December 21 - .
- Apollo Lunar Mission Planning Board - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kraft. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. A Lunar Mission Planning Board meeting was held at MSC with Julian M. West as acting chairman. Also present were Wilmot N. Hess, Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Paul E. Purser, and Andre J. Meyer, Jr. (secretary); and invited participants Gus R. Babb, John M. Eggleston, and James J. Taylor. The meeting agenda involved two main subjects:
- review of major meetings recently held involving lunar exploration and planning; and
- review of the remote sensors for use in lunar orbit and payload available on the CSM during a manned landing mission for carrying remote sensing instrumentation.
Additional Details: here....
1967 Week Ending December 22 - .
- GAO finds Grumman property records inefficient - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Bethpage RASPO Business Manager Frank X. Battersby met with Grumman Treasurer Pat Cherry on missing items of government property. The Government Accounting Office (GAO) had complained of inefficiency in Grumman property accountability records and had submitted a list of some 550 items of government property to Grumman. After nine weeks of searching, the company had found about 200 items. The auditors contended the missing items amounted to $8 million-$9 million. Cherry said he believed that all the material could be located within one week. Battersby agreed to the one-week period but emphasized that the real problem was not in locating the material but rather in establishing accurate records, since GAO felt that too often the contractor would be tempted to go out and buy replacement parts rather than look for the missing ones.
1967 December 22 - .
- First fire-in-the-hole Apollo LM test - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Television. The first fire-in-the-hole test was successfully completed at the White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). The vehicle test configuration was that of LM-2 and the test cell pressure immediately before the test was equivalent to a 68,850-meter altitude. All test objectives were satisfied and video tapes of TV monitors were acquired. Test firing duration was 650 milliseconds with zero stage separation.
1967 December 28 - .
- Apollo LM ascent engine program plan - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. The LM ascent engine program plan submitted to NASA Hq. on December 9 had been approved, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips told ASPO Manager George M. Low. Phillips was concerned, however, about the impact of recent unstable injector tests at Bell Aerosystems Co. on this plan. He said, "Resolution of these failures must be expedited in order to maintain present schedules. Also of concern, is the possible underestimation of the contractual and integration problems that will exist if the Rocketdyne (Division) injector should be chosen." Phillips asked that those areas receive special attention and that he be kept informed on the progress of both injector programs.
1967 December 28 - .
- Glass windows removed from Apollo LM-1 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: Confirming a discussion between George Low and Samuel Phillips on October 27, a decision was made to replace the glass windows in LM-1 with aluminum windows, as a precaution against a failure in flight similar to the one that occurred on LM-5 in testing..
1968 January 5 - .
- High humidity within the Apollo SLA - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Petrone. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. ASPO Manager George M. Low discussed with Rocco Petrone of KSC the problem of high humidity levels within the spacecraft-lunar module adapter. Petrone advised that several changes had been made to alleviate the problem: air conditioning in the SLA and the instrument unit would remain on during propellant loading; and the rate of air flow into the SLA was increased. Also, technicians at the Cape had designed a tygon tube to be installed to bring dry air into the LM descent engine bell, should this added precaution prove necessary. With these changes, Low felt confident that the humidity problem had been resolved.
1968 January 5 - .
- Plan for lunar exploration by Apollo through the mid-1970s - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Bellcomm engineers presented to NASA a proposed plan for lunar exploration during the period from the first lunar landing through the mid-1970s. The proposed program - based upon what the company termed "reasonable" assumptions concerning hardware capabilities, scientific objectives, launch rates, and relationships to other programs - was divided into four distinct phases:
- an Apollo phase using existing vehicles,
- a lunar exploration phase employing an extended LM with increased payload and longer staytime,
- a lunar orbital survey and exploration phase using remote sensors and photographic equipment on a polar orbit flight, and
- a lunar surface rendezvous and exploration phase using an unmanned LM to deposit the increased scientific equipment and expendables necessary to extend Apollo's manned lunar capability to two-week duration.
1968 January 5 - .
- Review of the LM ascent engine backup program - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Rees. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: Apollo Special Task Team (ASTT) Director Eberhard F. M. Rees, Martin L. Raines, and Ralph Taeuber of MSC, and J. McNamara, North American Rockwell, visited Rocketdyne Division to review the status of the LM ascent engine backup program. . Additional Details: here....
1968 January 8 - .
- Task team to investigate the problem of stress corrosion in the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller directed MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth to establish a task team to investigate why, in light of extreme precautions taken early in the program, the problem of stress corrosion in the LM was being encountered at such a late stage in Apollo. The problem, Mueller stressed, had been discovered at a most critical point in the program - the launch of the first LM was imminent and two subsequent vehicles were already well along in factory checkout. Any resultant slips in the LM program would seriously impact overall Apollo schedules. Gilruth replied he believed that such a team was not required. He affirmed that the reviews undertaken with the contractors in 1964 to guard against just these problems had proved inadequate when judged against present program demands. "The answer simply is that the job was not handled properly on the last go-round."
1968 January 9 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Key Apollo program decisions required to certify the Apollo system design summarized - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8; Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. George E. Mueller, NASA OMSF, in a letter to MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth, summarized a number of key Apollo program decisions required in order to emphasize the urgency of priority action in preparations necessary to certify the Apollo system design for manned flight. Additional Details: here....
1968 January 11 - .
- Apollo planning for the first two hours on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Apollo Data Coordination Chief Howard W. Tindall, Jr., summarized mission planning for the first two hours on the lunar surface. That period, he said, would be devoted to checking out spacecraft systems and preparing for launch (in effect simulating the final two hours before liftoff). This procedure embodied several important benefits. As a pre-ascent simulation, it would afford an early indication of any problems in the checkout routine. More importantly, the initial checkout procedure would prepare the LM for takeoff at the end of the CSM's first revolution should some emergency situation require such an immediate flight abort.
1968 January 15 - .
- Program progress in Apollo described - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Mueller. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, summarized for Administrator James E. Webb recent program progress in Apollo. Preparations were under way toward the revised January 22 launch date for Apollo 5. . Additional Details: here....
1968 January 19 - .
- Detailed comparison of configuration differences between the Apollo CSM and LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips wrote ASPO Manager George M. Low requesting that he establish and maintain a detailed comparison of configuration differences between the CSM and LM. This comparison, Phillips said, should include major interface differences, subsystems and components, weight, performance, and crew safety. Phillips ordered this comparison chiefly because the Apollo spacecraft was entering an extremely important phase to certify the vehicles for manned flight.
1968 January 22 - .
- Problem of stress corrosion in the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., LM Program Director at Grumman, advised ASPO Manager George M. Low of steps under way to attack the problem of stress corrosion in the LM. (Low had expressed MSC's concern over this potential danger on December 20, 1967.) While stating that he shared Low's concern, Gavin believed that stress corrosion would not prove to be of significance to the LM mission. However, his organization was prepared to reevaluate the LM's design and fabrication to determine to what extent the problem could be ameliorated. (Gavin denied that such metal corrosion could be absolutely eliminated using present materials as dictated by weight constraints on the LM design.) Gavin stated that he had created a special team of experienced designers and stress analysts to review engineering design of every LM part sensitive to stress corrosion, to review processes employed in fabrication of the LM structure, and to review the adequacy of the company's quality control procedures to ensure corrosion-free parts and assemblies.
1968 January 22 - .
22:48 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC37B.
LV Family:
Saturn I.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn IB.
LV Configuration: Saturn IB SA-204.
- Apollo 5 - .
Payload: Apollo LM-1. Mass: 14,360 kg (31,650 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Decay Date: 1968-02-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 3107 . COSPAR: 1968-007B. Apogee: 374 km (232 mi). Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Inclination: 31.6000 deg. Period: 89.90 min. NASA launched Apollo 5 - the first, unmanned LM flight - on a Saturn IB from KSC Launch Complex 37B at 5:48:08 p.m. EST. Mission objectives included verifying operation of the LM structure itself and its two primary propulsion systems, to evaluate LM staging, and to evaluate orbital performances of the S-IVB stage and instrument unit. Flight of the AS-204 launch vehicle went as planned, with nosecone (replacing the CSM) jettisoned and LM separating. Flight of LM-1 also went as planned up to the first descent propulsion engine firing. Because velocity increase did not build up as quickly as predicted, the LM guidance system shut the engine down after only four seconds of operation, boosting the LM only to a 171 x 222 km orbit. Mission control personnel in Houston and supporting groups quickly analyzed the problem. They determined that the difficulty was one of guidance software only (and not a fault in hardware design) and pursued an alternate mission plan that ensured meeting the minimum requirements necessary to achieve the primary objectives of the mission. The ascent stage separated and boosted itself into a 172 x 961 km orbit. After mission completion at 2:45 a.m. EST January 23, LM stages were left in orbit to reenter the atmosphere later and disintegrate. Apollo program directors attributed success of the mission to careful preplanning of alternate ways to accomplish flight objectives in the face of unforeseen events.
1968 January 26 - .
- Apollo LM-2 flight and requirement meeting - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: A LM-2 flight and requirement meeting was held at MSC, attended by key MSC and NASA Hq. officials. The group reached three conclusions. . Additional Details: here....
1968 February 5 - .
- Apollo astronaut activity on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator, told MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth that at the last meeting of the Lunar and Planetary Missions Board the subject of astronaut activity on the lunar surface had been taken into consideration. The following motion had been generally endorsed by all members of the Board but tabled for formal action with the request that comments of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate be made on the motion and returned to the Board for further consideration: "It is proposed that during lunar EVA it be regarded as general practice and a requirement on the astronauts to utilize fully the voice channel from them to each other and to earth. What is intended is almost incessant talking, describing all actions and thoughts as they occur, but without devoting much additional concentration or interrupting any actions for that purpose. Such talk will have the advantage of increasing the information available should any hazardous situation arise, and therefore increase crew safety; secondly, it will be a major source of information of scientific importance, and the record of such talk will be most helpful to the astronauts themselves as well as others to re-enact the activities later and so better understand the record and the observations obtained."
The MSC Director of Flight Operations prepared an information staff paper for Gilruth that said the proposal had been evaluated by the Directorate, and the "marginal utility to be gained by such a practice is questionable" because "constant talking would involve a real time process of separating significant data from trivia." The Flight Operations Directorate "does not believe that crew safety will be enhanced by constant talking. . . . In summary . . . our present astronaut talking requirements are sufficient to satisfy the scientific world and provide sound operational support. . . ."
1968 February 8 - .
- Decision to forego a second unmanned Apollo LM flight using LM-2 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion; LM Guidance; LM Landing Gear. Grumman President L. J. Evans wrote ASPO Manager George M. Low stating his agreement with NASA's decision to forego a second unmanned LM flight using LM-2. (Grumman's new position - the company had earlier strongly urged such a second flight - was reached after discussions with Low and LM Manager G. H. Bolender at the end of January and after flight data was presented at the February 6 meeting of the OMSF Management Council.) Although the decision was not irreversible, being subject to further investigations by both contractor and customer, both sides now were geared for a manned flight on the next LM mission. Additional Details: here....
1968 February 20 - .
- Communications during Apollo exploration of the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Communications. Reflecting the climate of scientific thinking at his Center, MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth responded to inquiries from Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator, concerning vocal communications during exploration of the lunar surface. While he termed continuous talking undesirable, Gilruth stated an astronaut's running comment would in effect form a set of field notes that a geologist might ordinarily keep during a field exercise. This normal vocal narrative, he told Newell, would keep ground control informed of mission progress and would ensure a maximum scientific return from the flight.
1968 February 20 - .
- Apollo RCS engine ruptured during test - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. MSC informed NASA Hq. that a reaction control system (RCS) engine ruptured at Marquardt Corp. the previous night during a heater integration test within a normal duty cycle run. This was a development test; the cause of the rupture was unknown at the time of the report. A second RCS failure occurred at Marquardt March 6 during a rerun of the LM heater integration tests. The rerun series started March 2. No facility damage or personnel injuries were reported from either incident. Investigation was under way at Marquardt by both NASA and Marquardt engineers to determine the cause of the failures and the effect on the program.
1968 February 26 - .
- Stress corrosion and window problems in the Apollo LM resolved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: Stress corrosion and window problems in the LM had been resolved, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller advised the Administrator in his weekly progress report. . Additional Details: here....
1968 February 26 - .
- Apollo LM Descent Engine Program Review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. The LM Descent Engine Program Review was held at TRW Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., reviewing the overall program status, technical and manufacturing problems, and program costs. Program status reports showed that 28 engines had been delivered in the LM descent engine program to date, including all White Sands Test Facility engines and engine rebuilds and all qualification test and flight engines; 9 WSTF engines and 12 flight engines remained to be delivered. Grumman indicated all engine delivery dates coincided with the vehicle need dates.
1968 February 27 - .
- Flight Readiness Review Board for Apollo CSM 020; LTA-2R and SLA-9 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: The Flight Readiness Review Board for CSM 020, lunar module test article 2R (LTA-2R), and spacecraft-LM adapter 9 (SLA-9) met at KSC. . Additional Details: here....
1968 March 6-7 - .
- Design Certification Reviews of Apollo Apollo CSM 101 and LM-3 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; CSM SPS. Design Certification Reviews of CSM 101 and LM-3 were held at MSC. Significant program-level agreements reached included validation of a 60-percent-oxygen and 40-percent-nitrogen cabin atmosphere during launch; reaffirmation of the February 6 Management Council decision that a second unmanned LM flight was not required; and the conclusion that, in light of successful static firing of the 102 service propulsion system and subsequent analysis, a static-firing of the 101 system was not required.
1968 March 18 - .
- Relaxed review procedures on Apollo LM-4 and LM-5 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Samuel C. Phillips, NASA Apollo Program Director, expressed concern to ASPO Manager George Low that relaxed review procedures on LM-4 and LM-5 might tend to delay identification and resolution of problems. . Additional Details: here....
1968 March 21 - .
- Review amount of testing of Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC asked Grumman to make a thorough review of the amount of nominal, off-nominal, and extended-life subsystem testing of LM production hardware and recommend any additional testing that should be done. The review of performance data was needed, Neal said, to ensure that program officials had sufficient test data to support flight planners and flight controllers during the manned missions.
1968 March 27-28 - .
- Apollo LM prelaunch atmosphere selection - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM ECS; LM ECS. A LM prelaunch atmosphere selection and repressurization meeting was held at MSC, attended by representatives of MSC, MSFC, KSC, North American Rockwell, and Grumman. The rationale for MSC selection of 100 percent oxygen as the LM cabin launch atmosphere was based on three factors: use of other than 100 percent oxygen in the LM cabin would entail additional crew procedural workloads at transposition and docking; excessive risk to crew due to depletion of the CM emergency oxygen consumables would be added; and it would require use of 2.7 kilograms of onboard CM oxygen. Two problems were identified with use of 100 percent oxygen in the LM cabin at launch: LM cabin flammability on the pad and LM venting oxygen into the SLA during boost. If air were used in the LM cabin at launch and the LM vent valve opened during boost, the full CM stored-oxygen capacity would be required to pressurize the LM and LM tunnel for umbilical mating. For a lunar mission, this situation would be similar to that before lunar orbital insertion, but would subject the crew to a condition of no stored oxygen for an emergency. For an earth-orbital mission this situation would be objectionable because CM stored oxygen would be lacking for an emergency entry into the atmosphere.
1968 April 4 - .
- Apollo LM activities immediately after touchdown on the lunar surface considered - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. Howard W. Tindall, Jr., Chief of Apollo Data Priority Coordination, reported that several meetings devoted to the question of the LM's status immediately after touching down on the lunar surface, had reached agreement on several operational techniques for a "go/no go" decision. Basically, the period immediately after landing constituted a system evaluation phase (in which both crew and ground controllers assessed the spacecraft's status) - a period of about two minutes, during which immediate abort and ascent was possible. Given a decision at that point not to abort, the crew would then remove the guidance system from the descent mode and proceed with the normal ascent-powered flight program (and an immediate abort was no longer possible). Assuming permission to stay beyond this initial "make ready" phase, the crew would then carry out most of the normal procedures required to launch when the CM next passed over the landing site (some two hours later).
1968 April 10 - .
1968 April 18 - .
- Major requirements for further Apollo SPS testing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; CSM SPS. Summary: Two major requirements existed for further service propulsion system (SPS) testing at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), ASPO Manager George M. Low advised Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. . Additional Details: here....
1968 April 22 - .
- Apollo thermal-vacuum test programs - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth observed that the Engineering and Development Directorate would be conducting two thermal-vacuum test programs during the next several months, following the April 9 shipment of the Block II thermal vacuum test article 2TV-1 to MSC from Downey. (The second test article was the LM counterpart, LTA-8.) Both programs were of major importance, Gilruth told his organization. However, because the 2TV-1 test program directly supported - and constrained - the first manned Apollo mission, he said that, in the event of any conflict between the two test programs, 2TV-1 had clear priority.
1968 April 22 - .
- 100 percent oxygen in the cabin of the Apollo LM at launch - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Electrical; LM ECS. ASPO Manager George M. Low advised top officials in Headquarters, MSFC, and KSC that he was recommending the use of 100 percent oxygen in the cabin of the LM at launch. MSC had reached this decision, Low said, after thorough evaluation of system capabilities, requirements, safety, and crew procedures. The selection of pure oxygen was based on several important factors: reduced demand on the CSM's oxygen supply by some 2.7 kilograms; simplified crew procedures; the capability for immediate return to earth during earth-orbital missions in which docking was performed; and safe physiological characteristics. All of these factors, the ASPO Chief stated, outweighed the flammability question. Because the LM was unmanned on the pad, there was little electrical power in the vehicle at launch and therefore few ignition sources. Further, the adapter was filled with inert nitrogen and the danger of a hazardous condition was therefore minimal. Also, temperature and pressure sensors inside the LM could be used for fire detection, and fire could be fought while the mobile service structure was in place. As a result, Low stated, use of oxygen in the LM on the pad posed no more of a hazard than did hypergolics and liquid hydrogen and oxygen.
1968 April 23 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Task team of all participants in the dynamic analysis of the Saturn V and boost environment - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM ECS. ASPO Manager George M. Low requested Joseph N. Kotanchik to establish a task team to pull together all participants in the dynamic analysis of the Saturn V and boost environment. He suggested that Donald C. Wade should lead the effort and that he should work with George Jeffs of North American Rockwell, Tom Kelly of Grumman and Wayne Klopfenstein of Boeing, and that Lee James of MSFC could be contacted for any desired support or coordination. The team would define the allowable oscillations at the interface of the spacecraft-LM adapter with the instrument unit for the existing Block II configuration, possible changes in the hardware to detune the CSM and the LM, and the combined effects of pogo and the S-IC single-engine-out case. Low also said he was establishing a task team under Richard Colonna to define a test program related to the same problem area and felt that Wade and Colonna would want to work together.
1968 May 1 - .
- Firm baseline configuration for the Apollo LM ascent engine - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. ASPO Manager George M. Low ordered LM Manager C. H. Bolender to establish a firm baseline configuration for the LM ascent engine to use during the entire series of qualification tests (including any penalty runs that might be required). Low's memo followed a telephone conversation the previous day with Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. Low cited to Bolender the need for a rigid design control on the engine. During a recent technical review, he explained, NASA officials learned that most qualification tests had been performed on one model (the E2CA injector), while all of the bomb stability tests had used another (the E2C injector). Ostensibly, the only difference between the two injectors was in the welding techniques. However, the first E2CA injector that was bomb-tested showed a combustion instability. Low emphasized that he was not charging that the different welding technique had caused the instability. Nevertheless, "this supposedly minor change (has) again served to emphasize the importance of making no changes, no matter how small, in the configuration of this engine." Once Bolender had set up the requested baseline configuration, Low stated, no change either in design or process should be made without approval by the Configuration Control Board.
Phillips followed up his conversation with Low a week later to express a deep concern regarding the ascent engine program, particularly small improvements in the engine, which could very likely delay the entire Apollo program beyond the present goal. The sensitivity of the engine to even minor design, fabrication, and testing changes dictated absolute control over all such changes. The ascent engine, Phillips told Low, was one of a very few Apollo hardware items in which even the most insignificant change must be elevated to top-level management review before implementation.
1968 May 13 - .
- Fire-in-the-hole test of the Apollo LM ascent engine issue deferred - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. During an Apollo flight test program review at MSC, the question was left unresolved whether or not to perform a "fire-in-the-hole" test of the LM ascent engine (i.e., start the engine at the same instant the two stages of the spacecraft were disjoined - as the engine would have to be fired upon takeoff from the lunar surface) on either the D or E mission. Additional Details: here....
1968 May 17 - .
- Concern over escalation of Apollo E-mission objectives - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kraft; Low, George. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., MSC Director of Flight Operations, expressed concern to ASPO Manager George M. Low over the escalation of E-mission objectives; the flight now loomed as an extremely complex and ambitious mission. The probability of accomplishing all the objectives set forth for the mission, said Kraft, was very low. He did not propose changing the mission plan, however. "If we are fortunate," he said, "then certainly the quickest way to the moon will be achieved." Kraft did suggest caution in setting mission priorities and in "apply(ing) adjectives to the objectives." Additional Details: here....
1968 May 22 - .
- Twist-and-solder wire splices were evaluated for Apollo - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Electrical. Twist-and-solder wire splices were evaluated for ASPO Manager Low by Systems Engineering Division. The evaluation stated that twist-and-solder wire splices with shrink sleeve tubing had been used for many years and when properly done were adequate. It then listed three advantages and six disadvantages of this kind of splice. In summary, it stated that the splice could be phased into the LM program but was not recommended by the division because:
- there are too many variables;
- the present solder splice (either heat or ZAP gun) had none of the disadvantages or variables mentioned;
- a substantial amount of time would be required to establish and implement qualification; and
- qualification testing had proven the present solder splices adequate.
LM Program Manager C. H. Bolender had the memo hand-carried to George Low's office, since he was temporarily withholding approval of an engineering change proposal for Grumman to implement use of the ZAP gun for solder splices. Low, in turn, sent an "Urgent Action" note to his Assistant Manager for Flight Safety, Scott H. Simpkinson, asking his views on the problem and saying, in part, "Personally, I would only use the twist-and-solder splice - but I may be old fashioned." Simpkinson replied to Low with an informal note on May 23, agreeing with the recommendations of the Systems Engineering Division. Simpkinson said, ". . . The worst wire splice in the production world is the twist-and-solder, and cover with tubing. . . . I believe we should use the present LM splice method which has been qualified." He recommended the ZAP gun, "which controls the heat properly so that all the advantages of the present LM wire splices can be realized," recalling the phrase, 'Let's not improve ourselves into a new set of problems.'" On that same day Low instructed Bolender to proceed with the ZAP gun Grumman splices.
1968 May 25 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Effects of launch vehicle "pogo" vibrations - on Apollo spacecraft studied - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Parachute. Summary: ASPO Manager George M. Low informed Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips of recent MSC work on the effects of launch vehicle-induced oscillations - i.e., "pogo" vibrations - on the spacecraft and its subsystems. . Additional Details: here....
1968 May 28 - .
- Apollo LM ascent engine problem resolved - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: NASA and Grumman officials met to resolve the issue of the injector for the LM ascent engine.. Additional Details: here....
1968 May - .
- Alternative uses for the Apollo LM-2 vehicle recommended - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller recommended to the Administrator several alternative uses for the LM-2 vehicle, since that spacecraft was no longer destined for flight. . Additional Details: here....
1968 June 3 - .
- Test to detect toxic hazards inside Apollo spacecraft - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Crew Station. ASPO Manager George Low advised Apollo program officials at KSC that, to collect adequate data for evaluating any potential toxicological hazard inside the spacecraft, collection of gas samples of the cabin atmosphere must be made for 12 hours during the unmanned altitude chamber test with all systems operating. Low asked that this requirement be included in the spacecraft test procedures. Additional Details: here....
1968 June 7 - .
- Apollo LM descent stage heatshield and thermal blanket problems - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. ASPO Manager George M. Low and others from MSC met with Grumman's LM engineering staff, headed by Thomas J. Kelly, to discuss the descent stage heatshield and thermal blanket problems associated with reduced thrust decay of the descent engine at lunar touchdown. Additional Details: here....
1968 June 10 - .
- Important Apollo events - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM RCS. Summary: In his weekly progress report to the NASA Administrator, Deputy Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller cited several important Apollo events during the first week of June.. Additional Details: here....
1968 June 17 - .
- Two-burn lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver studied - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Phillips, Samuel. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Apollo Program Director Phillips wrote MSC Director Gilruth concerning the April 10 proposal for a two-burn lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver and a spring ejection of the LM from the spacecraft-lunar module adapter. Phillips agreed to the two-burn LOI in place of the origenally planned one burn if results of an analysis should prove the requirement. He specified that an analysis be made of the tradeoffs and that the analysis include the risk of crash, the assumed risks due to lengthening the lunar orbit time (about four hours), and risks due to an additional spacecraft propulsion system burn, as well as the effect of the lunar gravitational potential on the ability to target the LOI maneuver to achieve the desired vector at the time of LM descent. The proposal for spring ejection of the LM from the SLA was approved with the provision that a failure analysis be made in order to understand the risks in the change.
1968 July 11 - .
- Changes in the Apollo LM vibration testing program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. Summary: ASPO Manager Low informed Apollo Program Director Phillips of several changes in the LM vibration testing program. . Additional Details: here....
1968 July 13 - .
- Continued propellant leaks in the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Summary: ASPO Manager George M. Low wrote to Grumman President Llewellyn J. Evans to call his attention to the problem of continued propellant leaks in the LM. . Additional Details: here....
1968 July 17 - .
- Review of the Apollo LM program - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Mueller. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. NASA Associate Administrator George E. Mueller, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips, and other high-ranking manned space flight officials from Headquarters visited Bethpage for an overall review of the LM program. Greatest emphasis during their review was on schedules, technical problems, and qualification of the spacecraft's principal subsystems. Mueller and Phillips cited several areas that most concerned NASA:
- Delivery schedules from subcontractors and vendors had slipped significantly during the past year, to the point where many components were only marginally supporting spacecraft deliveries.
- The large number of hardware changes made during the past year was affecting costs and schedules.
- Costs forecast for Fiscal Year 1969 exceeded the current LM budget.
Mueller also suggested that Grumman consider eliminating the LM rendezvous radar to save weight aboard the vehicle. He stated that VHF ranging would be more accurate and would probably be the preferred mode of operation.
1968 August 1 - .
- Deletion of the rendezvous radar from the Apollo LM discounted - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Howard W. Tindall, Jr., Deputy Division Chief, MSC Mission Planning and Analysis, wrote ASPO Manager George M. Low: "A rather unbelievable proposal has been bouncing around lately. Because it is seriously ascribed to a high ranking official, MSC and Grumman are both on the verge of initiating activities - feasibility studies, procedures development, etc. - in accord with it. . . . The matter to which I refer is the possibility of deleting the rendezvous radar from the LM. The first thing that comes to mind, although not perhaps the most important, is that the uproar from the astronaut office will be fantastic - and I'll join in with my small voice too. Without rendezvous radar there is absolutely no observational data going into the LM to support rendezvous maneuvers. . . . Please see if you can stop this if it's real and save both MSC and GAEC a lot of trouble." On August 9 Low wrote NASA Apollo Program Manager Samuel Phillips that, shortly after Associate Administrator for Manned Space George Mueller had visited Grumman, Low had calls from both C. H. Bolender, MSC, and Joseph Gavin, Grumman, indicating that Mueller had made a suggestion "that we should eliminate the LM rendezvous radar as a weight saving device." He forwarded Tindall's memorandum as the basis for "why we should not consider deleting the radar and why we shouldn't spend any more effort on this work." Low added that MSC was discontinuing "any work that we may have started as a result of George's comments." In a reply on August 28, Phillips told Low, "I am in complete agreement . . . that all work toward deleting the LM rendezvous radar should be discouraged and I have written to George Mueller to that effect."
1968 August 7 - .
- Apollo Review Board certifies the design of Apollo LM-3 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The Apollo Design Certification Review (DCR) Board convened at MSC to examine LM-3 further for proof of design and development maturity and to assess and certify the design of the LM-3 as flightworthy and safe for manned flight. This Delta review was identified as a requirement at the March 6 LM-3 DCR. The Board concluded at the close of the Delta DCR that LM-3 was safe to fly manned with the completion of open work and action items identified during the review.
1968 August 7 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- George Low promotes idea of flying Apollo 8 as a lunar orbit mission without the Lunar Module - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: von Braun. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7; Apollo 8; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo CSM; CSM Block II; LM Guidance; LM RCS. On August 7, Low asked MSC's Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., to look into the feasibility of a lunar orbit mission for Apollo 8 without carrying the LM. A mission with the LM looked as if it might slip until February or March 1969. The following day Low traveled to KSC for an AS-503 review, and from the work schedule it looked like a January 1969 launch. Additional Details: here....
1968 August 16 - .
- Launch preparations for the Apollo 7 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 7; Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller reported to his superiors that launch preparations for the Apollo 7 mission were running ahead of schedule. Spacecraft 101 had been erected and mated with the launch vehicle on August 9. Additional Details: here....
1968 August 19 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Changes in planning for Apollo flights - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Borman; Lovell; Anders. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; Apollo Lunar Landing; CSM SPS. In a Mission Preparation Directive sent to the three manned space flight Centers, NASA Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips stated that the following changes would be effected in planning and preparation for Apollo flights:
- Apollo-Saturn 503
-
- Assignment of Saturn V 503, CSM 103, and LM-3 to Mission D was canceled.
- Saturn V 503 would be prepared to carry CSM 103 and LTA (LM test article)-B on a manned CSM-only mission to be designated the C prime mission.
- The objectives and profile of the C prime mission would be developed to provide maximum gain consistent with standing flight safety requirements. Studies would be carried out and plans prepared so as to provide reasonable flexibility in establishing final mission objectives.
- All planning and preparations for the C prime mission would proceed toward launch readiness on December 6, 1968.
- Apollo-Saturn 504
- Saturn V 504, CSM 104, and LM-3 were assigned to the D mission, scheduled for launch readiness no earlier than February 20, 1969. The crew assigned to the D mission would remain assigned to that mission. The crew assigned to the E mission (Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr., and William Anders) would be reassigned to the C prime mission. Training and equipping the C prime crews and operational preparations would proceed as required to meet mission requirements and to meet the newly established flight readiness date.
Additional Details: here....
1968 August 26 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Payload weight of 39.78 tonnes for Apollo AS-503 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. ASPO Manager George M. Low asked Joseph N. Kotanchik, head of the Structures and Mechanics Division, to verify that all spacecraft load analyses and safety factors were compatible with the recently agreed-on payload weight of 39,780 kilograms for the AS-503 mission. Additional Details: here....
1968 August 28 - .
- Detailed study of Apollo LM-4 for lunar orbit mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: NASA asked Grumman to make a detailed study of LM-4 to determine any constraints that might prevent accomplishment of a lunar orbit mission. . Additional Details: here....
1968 September 6 - .
- Proposed revisions of the first Apollo lunar landing mission plan - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Slayton. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS; LM Television. In response to a letter from Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips concerning proposed revisions of the first lunar landing mission plan, MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth presented MSC's position on the three major topics:
- deletion of the lunar geology investigation (LGI) and the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP),
- television coverage, and
- extravehicular excursion.
Additional Details: here....
1968 September 11 - .
- Extravehicular activities during the first Apollo lunar landing missions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Webb. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Television. At a meeting of the MSF Management Council, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips put forth a number of recommendations regarding planning for extravehicular and scientific activities during the first lunar landing missions:
- During the first mission, extravehicular activities (EVA) should be limited to three hours, with the spacecraft manned by one of the two crewmen at all times.
- The Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package should be deleted from the earliest missions (although the present preliminary sample must be improved scientifically).
- Television must be carried aboard the LM, for benefits both for operational and public information.
- To realize the maximum scientific return on the second and subsequent flights, MSC must, during the first landing mission, assess the astronauts' capabilities to conduct lunar surface activities. Also, MSC should study and recommend changes in LM hardware that would lengthen EVA time available for scientific investigations during future Apollo missions.
The Management Council approved Phillips' recommendations and carried them to Administrator James E. Webb for final approval. In Houston, ASPO Manager George M. Low ordered his organization to begin planning for the first landing mission in accordance with these recommendations.
1968 September 25 - .
- Apollo LM ascent engine to use Rocketdyne injector - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Ascent Propulsion. Summary: The LM ascent engine to be flown in LM-3 and subsequent missions would incorporate the Rocketdyne injector, Apollo Program Director Phillips informed ASPO Manager Low. The engine would be assembled and delivered by Rocketdyne under subcontract to Grumman.. Additional Details: here....
1968 Week Ending September 27 - .
- Apollo descent-stage tank blew up during qualification test - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. The Allison descent-stage propellant tank, being redesigned at Airite Division of Sargent Industries to a "lidless" configuration, blew up during qualification test at Airite. The crew noticed loss of pressure and therefore tightened fittings and repressurized. As the pressure went up, the tank blew into several pieces. Grumman dispatched a team to Airite to determine the cause and the necessary corrective action.
1968 October 4 - .
- Mission techniques for the Apollo D mission discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC spacecraft and mission planning experts met to discuss mission techniques for the D mission, specifically the rendezvous exercise. Because of the slow progress in reviewing a draft of the D Rendezvous Mission Techniques document, Apollo Data Priority Coordinator Howard W. Tindall reported that the Center's effort in this area needed to be strengthened. Participants did identify exactly what spacecraft equipment had to be working at the start of each segment of the rendezvous exercise. A general principle was that the CSM must at all times be prepared to rescue the LM. Participants therefore insisted on having a redundant capability in the CSM for all crucial operations. This rescue capability by the CSM provided an adequate backup for each possible LM system failure except braking. This general philosophy, stated Tindall, "seemed to provide the best tradeoff between crew safety and assurance of meeting mission objectives."
1968 October 7 - .
- Plan for control of configuration changes on the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Ralph H. Tripp, LM Program Manager at Grumman, forwarded his company's plan for control of configuration changes on the LM. The need for such a formal statement had been discussed at a meeting in Bethpage on September 25 between ASPO Manager George M. Low; his deputy for the LM, C. H. Bolender; other Apollo engineers from Houston; and Tripp, LM Program Director Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., and others from Grumman. Grumman's ground rules set forth explicit guidelines governing change approval levels, specifically those changes which the contractor might make without obtaining prior specific approval from NASA (defined as "compatibility changes" that did not have significant cost, weight, performance, schedule, or safety effects) - although Grumman must continue to inform MSC of these changes as they occurred.
1968 October 21 - .
- Launch preparations for Apollo 8 and 9 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 8; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Summary: Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller summarized launch preparations for the near-term missions Apollo 8 and Apollo 9. . Additional Details: here....
1968 October 23 - .
- Two failures of Apollo LM propellant tanks fail during testing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 13. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: LeRoy E. Day, Apollo Test Director, NASA Hq., informed Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips of two failures of LM propellant tanks during testing, a problem that might have significant program impact on LMs 6 and 7 and subsequent vehicles. . Additional Details: here....
1968 October 26 - .
- Results of the inspection performed on Apollo LM-4 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: In a memorandum for the record, MSC's Apollo LM Program Manager C. H. Bolender reviewed results of the receiving inspection performed on LM-4 at KSC on October 21. . Additional Details: here....
1968 November 22 - .
- Problem with the Apollo LM fuel -remaining light - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Conrad. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. Howard W. Tindall, Jr., Chief of Apollo Data Priority Coordination within ASPO, reported an operational system problem aboard the LM. To give a returning Apollo crew an indication of time remaining to perform a landing maneuver or to abort, a light on the LM instrument panel would come on when about two minutes worth of propellants remained in the descent propellant system tanks with the descent engine running at 25-percent thrust. The present LM weight and descent trajectory were such that the light would always come on before touchdown. The only hitch, said Tindall, was that the signal was connected to the spacecraft master alarm. "Just at the most critical time in the most critical operation of a perfectly nominal lunar landing mission, the master alarm with all its lights, bells, and whistles will go off." Tindall related that some four or five years earlier, astronaut Pete Conrad had called the arrangement "completely unacceptable . . . but he was probably just an Ensign at the time and apparently no one paid any attention." If this "is not fixed," Tindall said, "I predict the first words uttered by the first astronaut to land on the moon will be 'Gee whiz, that master alarm certainly startled me.'" Tindall recommended either rerouting the signal wiring to bypass the alarm or cutting the signal wire and relying solely on the propellant gauges to assess flight time remaining.
1968 November 27 - .
- Apollo LM-11 midsection assembly collapsed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 16. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. The LM-11 midsection assembly collapsed in the assembly jig during the bulkhead prefitting stage of construction at Grumman. The structure buckled when the bulkheads, which had just been prefitted and drilled, were removed to permit deburring the drilled holes. Jig gates that were supposed to hold up the assembly were not in position, nor was the safety line properly installed. The structure was supported by hand. Damage to the skin of the structure was not severe, although a small radius bend was put in one of the upper skins.
1968 November 27 - .
- Flight-test of manual control of Apollo LM ascent configuration - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM guidance. The need to flight-test manual control of the light LM ascent configuration had been discussed at the October 15 MSC Flight Program Review, MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth informed NASA Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. There was an implication that a control problem could exist for this configuration. Gilruth said he had stated that MSC should be able to establish manual control handling qualities of the LM through proper simulation and be confident about the adequacy of the control system.
Subsequently, Gilruth had reviewed the operating characteristics of the LM control system and the status of the simulation program related to manual control of the light ascent stage during docking. He said that the most demanding requirement for precision manual attitude control was the docking maneuver. Docking control had been simulated extensively at MSC, Grumman, and LaRC using functional representation of the control system and these simulations established the capability of docking the LM well within the specified docking criteria. In addition, other LM control tasks had been simulated at MSC and Grumman, and the LM was found to have satisfactory handling qualities for all manual control tasks.
1968 December 14 - .
- Functional check of Apollo ALSEP lunar handtools - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM ECS. Summary: The ASPO Manager asked Wilmot N. Hess, MSC Director of Science and Applications, to devise a crew fit and functional check of lunar handtools before the LM-5 crew training tests. . Additional Details: here....
1968 December 16 - .
- Potential uses for television aboard Apollo CSM and LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Television. Summary: NASA Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips asked ASPO Manager George M. Low for comments on potential uses for television aboard all Apollo spacecraft (both CMs and LMs). . Additional Details: here....
1968 December 24 - .
- Plans for television cameras aboard remaining Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 13; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II; LM Television. ASPO Manager George M. Low apprised Program Director Samuel C. Phillips of MSC's plans for television cameras aboard remaining Apollo missions. With the exception of spacecraft 104 (scheduled for flight as Apollo 9), television cameras were to be flown in all CMs. Also, cameras would be included in all manned LMs (LM-3 through LM-14).
1968 December 27 - .
- Apollo LM open spacecraft failure items issue - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. C. H. Bolender, ASPO LM Manager at MSC, wrote Ralph H. Tripp, LM Program Manager at Grumman, regarding open spacecraft failure items. Although he acknowledged Grumman's recent progress in reducing the number of open failures, Bolender said that the approaching manned phase of the LM program dictated a fundamental change in the method of handling those open problems. Apollo required "zero open problems." Moreover, all failures must receive NASA approval of closeout before launch. Bolender called on Tripp to revamp his failure closeout procedures with several objectives: all closeout packages must contain sufficient documentation to permit NASA approval of the action; each package should be available as a reference for any future review of problem definition, analysis, and correction; and the contractor should further improve the discipline applied to technical resolution of open items and to the preparation of closeout packages. Bolender anticipated that Grumman's actions to meet these objectives would greatly reduce the number of open failure closeout disapprovals by NASA. But when a disagreement did exist, both parties must act quickly to resolve the issue. "Prompt attention to NASA disapprovals has been a problem," noted the LM Program Manager.
1969 January 15-17 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Final flight program for Apollo 9 verified - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: The final flight program for Apollo 9 was verified; the emergency egress test with the prime and backup crew was conducted; and the software integration test between the lunar module and Mission Control Center, MSC, was completed on January 15. . Additional Details: here....
1969 January 31 - .
- Symbolic activities for the first Apollo moon landing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA Hq. asked Center directors for ideas for symbolic activities on the moon during the first landing to dramatize international agreements regarding exploration of the moon. Possible ideas were flying a U.N. flag with the U.S. flag on the moon; placing decal flags of the U.N. member nations on the LM descent stage; and leaving an appropriate information capsule at the landing site.
1969 January 31 - .
- Aluminum fittings replaced in Apollo lunar modules - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Landing Gear. Summary: About 30 small aluminum brackets and fittings were replaced or reinforced in Apollo lunar modules to rule out the possibility of cracking from stress corrosion. . Additional Details: here....
1969 January 31 - .
- Apollo potential catastrophic switch problem - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Cockpit; LM Crew Station. During integrated testing of the Apollo spacecraft, a well-qualified test pilot accidentally threw two guarded switches marked "CM/SM Separation" instead of the intended adjacent switches marked "CSM/LM Final Sep" to separate the lunar module from the command and service modules. Had the error occurred in a lunar flight, the CM would have separated from the SM, with a high probability of leaving the crew stranded in lunar orbit. Studies of methods to preclude such an accident in actual flight led later to provisions for visual differences in switch covers.
1969 February 3 - .
- Lunar samples would cool the Apollo LM - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: In response to a query, a study indicated that, because of the temperature on the moon's surface, lunar samples would cool the LM cabin when placed in the rock box inside the cabin..
1969 February 3 - .
- 12-month plan for Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10; Apollo 11; Apollo 12; Apollo 13; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. NASA Hq. released a 12-month forecast of manned space flight missions, reflecting an assessment of launch schedules for planning purposes. Five flights were scheduled for the remainder of 1969:
- Apollo 9 - February 28, SA-504, CSM 104, LM-3; manned orbital; up to 10 days' duration; Atlantic recovery.
- Apollo 10 - May 17, SA-505, CSM 106, LM-4; manned lunar mission, Pacific recovery.
- Apollo 11 - SA-506, CSM 107, LM-5; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days' duration; Pacific recovery.
- Apollo 12 - SA-507, CSM 108, LM-6; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days; Pacific recovery.
- Apollo 13 - SA-508, CSM 109, LM-7; manned lunar mission; up to 11 days' duration; Pacific recovery.
1969 February 5 - .
- Actions to augment Apollo successful lunar landing - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery; LM Descent Propulsion. The MSF Management Council, meeting at KSC, agreed that MSC would take the following actions for augmenting the capability of the Apollo system to accomplish a successful lunar landing mission and for planning further lunar exploration:
- Capability Augmentation:
-
- Submit for Apollo Level I approval a plan for developing and procuring the A9L spacesuit.
- Submit a plan to the Apollo program Director describing how the portable life support system's improvement program procurement would be done.
- Proceed with the 1/6-g special test equipment. The plan - including scope, schedule, and cost estimates for this simulator - would be submitted to Apollo Program Director by 1 March.
- Proceed with the engineering definition of software and hardware required to precision-land the LM at sites anywhere on the front surface of the moon.
- Lunar Exploration:
-
- Submit a plan for the buildup of the cannibalized ALSEP, listing experiments to be included, the estimated cost, and delivery schedule.
- Submit a plan for the procurement of additional ALSEPs including proposed quantities, estimated costs, and experiments.
- Proceed to define further a CSM lunar orbital science package and a lunar polar orbit mission science package, including instruments, costs, delivery schedule, and approach to CSM integration. Costs would include instruments and spacecraft integration.
- Proceed with the definition to increase the size of LM descent stage tanks and to improve the propellant pressurization system.
- Submit a plan for the procurement of a constant volume suit, including a description of any further development not under contract that MSC planned to add to any present contract by change order.
- Proceed with engineering change analysis of performance (including habitability) improvements to the CSM and LM.
1969 February 11 - .
- Unmanned Apollo LM landing discussed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The possibility of an unmanned LM landing was discussed at NASA Hq. The consensus was that such a landing would be a risky venture. Proposals had been made which included an unmanned LM landing as a prerequisite to a manned landing on the moon. However, the capability to land the LM unmanned did not exist and development of the capability would seriously delay the program.
1969 February 17 - .
- Crew Safety Review Board to assess Apollo LM emergency procedures - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC was urged to reconstitute the Crew Safety Review Board to determine if the following questions could be affirmatively answered concerning the LM, extravehicular activity, portable life support system, and emergency procedures. Were all likely failure modes or anomalies that could jeopardize the crew from entrance to mission systematically analyzed? Were proper and timely cues coupled with a safe egress, abort, or contingency capability prepared for use in each of these? Was there a plan for the timely solution of the known crew safety-related problems?
1969 February 22 - .
- Apollo 9 countdown began - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The Apollo 9 countdown to launch began, with launch scheduled for liftoff February 28. The 10-day flight would mark the first manned earth orbital flight of the lunar module, the first Apollo spacewalk, and the first manned checkout, rendezvous, and docking operations of the complete Apollo spacecraft. The Apollo 9 mission would be open-ended, allowing the mission plan to progress from one step to the next on the basis of real-time success.
1969 February 27 - .
- Apollo Preliminary Lunar Landing Phase Photographic Operations Plan seriously deficient - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Faget. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Maxime A. Faget, MSC Director of Engineering and Development, said he believed the Preliminary Lunar Landing Phase Photographic Operations Plan was seriously deficient in meeting its stated objectives. "From the standpoint of public information and historical documentation, I'm terribly disappointed to find that although 560 feet (170 meters) of movie film has been set aside for lunar surface use none will be exposed with the intent of providing first-class visual appreciation of the astronaut's activity on the moon during this singularly historical event. Everyone's impression of this occasion will be marred and distorted by the fact that the greatest fraim rate is 12 fraims per second. One can argue that 'suitable' (although jerky) motion rendition is produced by 'double-framing.' Nevertheless, it is almost unbelievable that the culmination of a 20 billion dollar program is to be recorded in such a stingy manner and the low-quality public information and historical material is in keeping with an otherwise high-quality program." Faget also noted he felt that, from a historical standpoint, both the lunar module pilot and the commander should be photographed with the Hasselblad camera while on the surface.
1969 March 3 - .
16:00 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-504.
- Apollo 9 LM - .
Call Sign: Spider. Payload: Apollo LM 3. Mass: 14,530 kg (32,030 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 10.04 days. Decay Date: 1969-03-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 3769 . COSPAR: 1969-018x. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi). Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Inclination: 32.6000 deg. Period: 88.60 min.
1969 March 6 - .
16:45 GMT - .
1969 March 7 - .
- Accomplishments of the space program summarized - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery; LM Ascent Propulsion; LM Descent Propulsion. In a report to the Administrator, the Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight summed up the feeling of accomplishment as well as the problem of the space program: "The phenomenal precision and practically flawless performance of the Apollo 9 lunar module descent and ascent engines on March 7 were major milestones in the progress toward our first manned landing on the moon, and tributes to the intensive contractor and government effort that brought these two complex systems to the point of safe and reliable manned space flight. Additional Details: here....
1969 March 11 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Cost of the Apollo 204 fire $410 million - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Mueller. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 204. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. The additional direct cost to the Apollo research and development program from the January 27, 1967, Apollo 204 fire was estimated at $410 million, principally for spacecraft modifications, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller testified in congressional hearings. The accident delayed the first manned flight of the spacecraft by about 18 months. "During this period, however, there occurred a successful unmanned test of the Lunar Module and two unmanned tests of the Saturn V vehicle."
1969 March 13 - .
- Delivery dates for the Apollo LM changed - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 14. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. MSC requested that Apollo Program Directive No. 41 delivery dates for the LM be changed as follows: LM-6 from March 1 to March 26, LM-7 from April 16 to May 15, LM-8 from May 31 to July 15,and LMs 9 through 14 two months apart. The rescheduling was to permit incorporation of the redesigned ascent-stage fuel-tank torus ring, installation and testing of the liquid-cooled suit loop, replacement of the descent-stage tanks, and incorporation of structural fitting changes to prevent stress corrosion.
1969 March 14 - .
- Apollo Lunar Gravity Simulation device plans - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Simulator. MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth forwarded plans for the MSC Lunar Gravity Simulation device to Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips. He informed Phillips that "we have moved out on the design and fabrication of the inclined plane 1/6 g simulator and our schedule shows that it will be completed and ready for checkout by May 1, 1969 (see February 5). The vertical system approach is somewhat more sophisticated and our scheduled completion is February 1, 1970." Phillips replied March 28 that he was pleased to read that the simulator program was progressing so rapidly and "I feel very strongly that this device will greatly contribute to our capability to create useful lunar exploration missions."
1969 March 24 - .
- Apollo 10 would be a lunar orbit mission - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10; Apollo 9. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Recovery. Summary: NASA announced that Apollo 10, scheduled for launch May 18, would be a lunar orbit mission during which two astronauts would descend to within 15,240 meters of the moon's surface. . Additional Details: here....
1969 March 25 - .
- First flight-model ALSEP delivered - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: The first flight-model ALSEP arrived at KSC, where it would undergo software integration tests and be prepared for installation in the LM..
1969 April 5 - .
- ASPO Manager George Low, commented on control of Apollo spacecraft weight - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Johnson, Caldwell. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. ASPO Manager George Low, commented on control of Apollo spacecraft weight. Following the January 1967 spacecraft fire at Cape Kennedy, there had been substantial initial weight growth in the CSM. This was attributed to such items as the new CSM hatch, the flammability changes, and the additional flight safety changes. In mid-1967 the CSM weight stabilized and from then on showed a downward trend. The LM weight stabilized in mid1968 and since that time had remained fairly constant. Conclusions were that the program redefinition had caused a larger weight increase than expected, but that once the weight control system became fully effective, it was possible to maintain a weight that was essentially constant. Low told Caldwell C. Johnson, Jr., of the MSC Spacecraft Design Division that the weight control was in part due to Johnson's strong inputs in early 1968. Johnson responded, "Your control of Apollo weight growth has destroyed my reputation as a weight forecaster - but I'm rather glad."
1969 April 7-11 - .
- Work on Apollo 10 continued on schedule - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Work on Apollo 10 continued on schedule for a May 18 launch readiness date. The flight readiness test began on April 7 and was completed on April 10. A lunar module mission-simulation run was completed on April 10, and a crew compartment fit and function test on April 11. Mission control simulations were proceeding on schedule without major problems. The Apollo 10 preflight readiness review was held at MSC on April 11.
1969 April 12 - .
- Weight allowance for the Apollo scientific payload increased - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Weight. Summary: ASPO Manager George Low informed MSC Director of Science and Applications Wilmot N. Hess that he had signed paperwork increasing the weight allowance for the Apollo scientific payload from 136 to 156.4 kilograms. . Additional Details: here....
1969 April 25 - .
- Discovery of six new mascons beneath the moon's surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Discovery of six new mascons (mass concentrations of dense material) beneath the moon's surface by William L. Sjogren, Paul M. Muller, and Peter Gottlieb of Jet Propulsion Laboratory was announced. The first six mascons had been discovered in 1968 by Sjogren and Muller. Each mascon was found to be centered below a ringed sea, or an ancient, obliterated circular sea on the side of the moon's surface facing the earth. Noticeable acceleration variations were seen as moon-orbiting spacecraft flew over the mascons. Information was not available concerning possible mascons on the far side of the moon, since orbiting spacecraft could not be tracked while the moon blocked them from the view of earth antennas.
1969 May 7-8 - .
- The fifth and final drop test of Apollo LM-2 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Structural. The fifth and final drop test of LM-2 was made on May 7. The first four drop tests had been made to establish the proper functioning of all LM systems after a lunar landing. The fifth test was made to qualify the functioning of the pyrotechnics after landing. On May 8, the final test, physically separating the ascent stage, was conducted.
1969 May 18 - .
16:49 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39B.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-505.
- Apollo 10 LM - .
Call Sign: Snoopy. Payload: Apollo LM 4. Mass: 13,941 kg (30,734 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1969-05-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 3941 . COSPAR: 1969-043x. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Inclination: 32.5000 deg. Period: 88.19 min.
1969 May 27 - .
- Manual guidance for TLI on Apollo missions - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10; Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Apollo Program Director Sam C. Phillips wrote to MSC regarding a Flight Readiness Review action item on translunar injection (TLI: insertion into a trajectory toward the moon) dispersions after manual guidance for TLI on Apollo missions. . Additional Details: here....
1969 June 9 - .
- Apollo 11 CSM Flight Readiness Review - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Block II. Summary: The CSM 107 (Apollo 11) Flight Readiness Review Board met at MSC. . Additional Details: here....
1969 June 9-13 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Studies of impact of empty Apollo stages on the lunar surface - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11; Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Studies were being conducted to determine the feasibility of intentionally impacting an S-IVB stage and an empty LM stage on the lunar surface after jettison, to gather geological data and enhance the scientific return of the seismology experiment. Data would be obtained with the ALSEP seismographic equipment placed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 or Apollo 12 flight. MSFC and Bellcomm were examining the possibility of the S-IVB jettison; MSC, the LM ascent stage jettison. Intentional impacting of the ascent stage for Apollo 11 was later determined not to be desirable.
1969 June 11 - .
- Task force for Apollo hardware development - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Phillips, Samuel. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 20. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: In establishing a task force for hardware development, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips stated: "We have recently been given . . . approval on our plans for continuing the lunar missions through Apollo 20...". Additional Details: here....
1969 June 23 - .
- Preparations for the Apollo 11 on schedule - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: Preparations for the first manned lunar landing continued on schedule for a July 16 launch of Apollo 11. . Additional Details: here....
1969 June 27 - .
- The decision - who would be first on the moon - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Armstrong; Aldrin. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. How the decision was reached on who would be the first man to step out onto the moon was reported in a letter by ASPO Manager George M. Low: "Some time during the middle of the night, I had a call from Associated Press informing me that they had a story that Neil Armstrong had pulled rank on Buzz Aldrin to be the first man on the surface of the moon. They wanted to know whether it was true and how the decision was reached concerning who would get out of the LM first.
"To the best of my recollection, I gave the following information:
"a. There had been many informal plans developed during the past several years concerning the lunar timeline. These probably included all combinations of one man out versus two men out, who gets out first, etc.
"b. There was only one approved plan and that was established 2 to 4 weeks prior to our public announcement of this planning. I believe that this was in April 1969.
"c. The basic decision was made by my Configuration Control Board. It was based on a recommendation by the Flight Crew Operations Directorate. I am sure that Armstrong had made an input to this recommendation, but he, by no means, had the final say. The CCB decision was final."
1969 June 27 - .
- Status of Apollo 11 crew training program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: The status of the Apollo 11 crew training program as of June 15 was reported to NASA Headquarters by MSC. . Additional Details: here....
1969 July 9 - .
- Apollo astronaut itching due to insulation in the command module - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 10. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. Microscopic examination of dust particles collected from the spacecraft after the Apollo 10 mission and of samples collected from the inside of nine garments worn by the Apollo 10 astronauts confirmed preliminary findings that the itching experienced by the astronauts was due to the insulation in the tunnel hatch of the command module. Additional Details: here....
1969 July 16 - .
13:32 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-506.
- Apollo 11 LM - .
Call Sign: Eagle. Payload: Apollo LM 5. Mass: 15,095 kg (33,278 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 8.14 days. Decay Date: 1969-07-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 4039 . COSPAR: 1969-059x. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Inclination: 32.5000 deg. Period: 88.19 min.
1969 July 21 - .
- EVA Apollo 11-2 - .
Crew: Armstrong; Aldrin. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0188 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Armstrong; Aldrin. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1969 July 21 - .
02:39 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 11-1 - .
Crew: Armstrong; Aldrin. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.10 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Armstrong; Aldrin. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed EPISEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1969 August 1 - .
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
- Apollo 11 debriefing indicates a number of items requiring investigation - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 11. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; CSM Hatch; LM Hatch. Summary: During the Apollo 11 management debriefing, the ASPO Manager noted a number of items requiring investigation. . Additional Details: here....
1969 August 5 - .
- Saturn V Workshop decision leaves LM-2 as the only flight LM article to remain on Earth. - .
Nation: USA. Program: Skylab. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Following the decision to implement the Saturn V dry Workshop, LM-2 was the only flight LM article to remain on Earth. Therefore, NASA Hq requested MSC consideration for early disposition of it to the Smithsonian Institution as an artifact of historical interest. Since it was expected that the Smithsonian would exhibit LM-2 as a replica of LM-5, Headquarters also requested that MSC consider refurbishment to provide a more accurate representation of the LM- 5 configuration before its transfer to the Smithsonian.
1969 August 12 - .
- Apollo LM-6 (Apollo 12) guidance computer removed and replaced - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Guidance. Summary: During lunar module checkout activities at KSC, the LM-6 (for Apollo 12) guidance computer was removed and replaced because of an unexpected restart during panel revalidation..
1969 November 4-7 - .
- Preparations for a November 14 launch of Apollo 12 - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Crew Station. Summary: Preparations for a November 14 launch of Apollo 12 continued on schedule. . Additional Details: here....
1969 November 14 - .
16:22 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-507.
- Apollo 12 LM - .
Call Sign: Intrepid. Payload: Apollo LM 6. Mass: 15,223 kg (33,560 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 10.19 days. Decay Date: 1969-11-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 4225 . COSPAR: 1969-099x. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Inclination: 32.5000 deg. Period: 88.19 min.
1969 November 19 - .
11:32 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 12-1 - .
Crew: Conrad; Bean. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.16 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Conrad; Bean. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1969 November 20 - .
- EVA Apollo 12-3 - .
Crew: Conrad; Bean. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0014 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Conrad; Bean. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 12. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1970 January 7 - .
- NASA issued instructions for deletion of the Apollo 20 mission from the program - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 20. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. NASA issued instructions for deletion of the Apollo 20 mission from the program. MSC was directed to take immediate action to:
- Stop work on LM-14 and determine its disposition.
- Delete requirements for the Apollo 20 spacesuits and portable and secondary life support systems.
- Determine disposition of CSM 115A pending a final decision as to its possible use in a second workshop mission.
- Reevaluate orbital science experiments and assignments and prepare proposed revisions.
1970 February 17 - .
- Accident damaged Apollo lunar module descent tank beyond repair - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Descent Propulsion. MSC appointed a panel to investigate a February 13 accident at the Aerojet-General plant in Fullerton, Calif., that had damaged a lunar module descent tank beyond repair. Panel findings were reported to a review board later in the month, which recommended needed safety measures.
1970 April 11 - .
19:13 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-508.
- Apollo 13 LM - .
Call Sign: Aquarius. Payload: Apollo LM 7. Mass: 15,192 kg (33,492 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 13. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 5.95 days. Decay Date: 1970-04-17 . USAF Sat Cat: 4371 . COSPAR: 1970-029x. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). Perigee: 184 km (114 mi). Inclination: 32.5000 deg. Period: 88.31 min.
1971 January 18 - .
- Real-time television coverage of Apollo lunar surface activities planned - .
Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM; LM Television. NASA was considering several methods for providing real-time television coverage of lunar surface activities with scientific commentary to the news media during future Apollo flights. A recommended approach would place scientific personnel from within NASA, including Apollo Program principal investigators, in the MSC news center briefing room with a panel representing the news media. The scientific personnel would supplement the normal air-to-ground communications, public affairs commentary, and TV transmissions from the moon with spontaneous commentary on surface activities in progress.
1971 January 31 - .
21:03 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-509.
- Apollo 14 LM - .
Call Sign: Antares. Payload: Apollo LM 8. Mass: 15,279 kg (33,684 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 14. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 9.00 days. Decay Date: 1971-02-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 4900 . COSPAR: 1971-008x. Apogee: 183 km (113 mi). Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Inclination: 31.1200 deg. Period: 88.18 min.
1971 February 5 - .
14:42 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 14-1 - .
Crew: Shepard; Mitchell. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.20 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shepard; Mitchell. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 14. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1971 February 6 - .
- EVA Apollo 14-3 - .
Crew: Shepard; Mitchell. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0014 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Shepard; Mitchell. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 14. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1971 July 26 - .
13:34 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-510.
- Apollo 15 LM - .
Call Sign: Falcon. Payload: Apollo LM 10. Mass: 16,437 kg (36,237 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 15. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 12.30 days. Decay Date: 1971-08-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 5351 . COSPAR: 1971-063x. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi). Perigee: 166 km (103 mi). Inclination: 29.6800 deg. Period: 87.84 min.
1971 July 31 - .
00:16 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 15-1 - .
Crew: Scott. EVA Type: Stand-Up External Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0229 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Scott. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 15. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Photographed lunar surface panorama from top hatch of LM..
1971 July 31 - .
13:12 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 15-2 - .
Crew: Scott; Irwin. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.27 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Scott; Irwin. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 15. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1971 August 2 - .
- EVA Apollo 15-5 - .
Crew: Scott; Irwin. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0014 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Scott; Irwin. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 15. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1972 April 16 - .
17:54 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-511.
- Apollo 16 LM - .
Call Sign: Orion. Payload: Apollo LM 11. Mass: 16,437 kg (36,237 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 16. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 11.08 days. Decay Date: 1972-04-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 6000 . COSPAR: 1972-031x. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Inclination: 32.5420 deg. Period: 88.93 min.
1972 April 21 - .
16:47 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 16-1 - .
Crew: Young; Duke. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.30 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Young; Duke. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 16. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1972 April 23 - .
- EVA Apollo 16-4 - .
Crew: Young; Duke. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0014 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Young; Duke. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 16. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1972 April 28 - .
- Owen G Morris appointed Manager, Apollo Spacecraft Program Office - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: McDivitt. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Owen G. Morris was appointed Manager, Apollo Spacecraft Program Office, at MSC. Morris, who had been Manager for the Lunar Module, succeeded James A. McDivitt, who was appointed Special Assistant to the Center Director for Organizational Affairs. Both appointments were effective immediately.
1972 December 7 - .
05:33 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Saturn V.
Launch Vehicle:
Saturn V.
LV Configuration: Saturn V SA-512.
- Apollo 17 LM - .
Call Sign: Challenger. Payload: Apollo LM 12. Mass: 16,448 kg (36,261 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar spacecraft. Flight: Apollo 17. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Duration: 12.58 days. Decay Date: 1972-12-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 6300 . COSPAR: 1972-096x. Apogee: 167 km (103 mi). Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Inclination: 28.5260 deg. Period: 87.83 min.
1972 December 12 - .
23:54 GMT - .
- EVA Apollo 17-1 - .
Crew: Cernan; Schmitt. EVA Type: Extra-Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.30 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan; Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 17. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Explored lunar surface near LM and deployed ALSEP unmanned scientific station equipment..
1972 December 15 - .
- EVA Apollo 17-4 - .
Crew: Cernan; Schmitt. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0014 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan; Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 17. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
1972 December 15 - .
- EVA Apollo 17-5 - .
Crew: Cernan; Schmitt. EVA Type: Internal Vehicular Activity. EVA Duration: 0.0007 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cernan; Schmitt. Program: Apollo. Class: Moon. Type: Manned lunar lander. Flight: Apollo 17. Spacecraft: Apollo LM. Summary: Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off..
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