Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module
Read Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module Online
Authors: Thomas J. Kelly
Tags: #Science, #Physics, #Astrophysics, #Technology & Engineering, #History
Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight Series
Dominick A. Pisano and Allan A. Needell, Series Editors
Since the Wright brothers’ first flight, air and space technologies have been central in creating the modern world. Aviation and spaceflight have transformed our lives—our conceptions of time and distance, our daily routines, and the conduct of exploration, business, and war. The Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight Series publishes substantive works that further our understanding of these transformations in their social, cultural, political, and military contexts.
© 2001 by Thomas J. Kelly
All rights reserved
Copy editor: Karin Kaufman
Production editor: Robert A. Poarch
Designer: Chris Hotvedt
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kelly, Thomas J., 1929–
Moon lander: how we developed the Apollo lunar module / Thomas J. Kelly.
p. cm. — (Smithsonian history of aviation and spaceflight series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-58834-273-7
1. Lunar excursion module. 2. Project Apollo (U.S.). I. Title. II. Series.
TL795.K45 2001
629.44—dc21 00-063728
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data is available
This is an electronic release (eISBN: 978-1-58834-361-1) of the original cloth edition
For permission to reproduce illustrations appearing in this book, please correspond directly with the owners of the works, as listed in the individual captions. Smithsonian Books does not retain reproduction rights for these illustrations individually or maintain a file of addresses for photo sources.
v3.1_r1
To Joan, whose loving support made my lunar adventure possible
.
Contents
Part 2. Designing, Building, and Testing
10 Schedule and Cost Pressures
13 First LM in Space: Apollo 5
14 The Dress Rehearsals: Apollos 9 and 10
15 One Giant Leap for Mankind: Apollo 11
16 Great Balls of Fire! Apollo 12
18 The Undaunted Warrior Triumphs: Apollo 14
19 Great Explorations: Apollos 15, 16, and 17
Epilogue: The Legacy of Apollo
Illustrations
3.1
Lunar module proposal design
5.1
Reaction control system configuration
5.2
Lunar module’s ascent stage
5.3
Lunar module’s crew compartment
5.4
Lunar module’s descent stage
6.1
Final lunar module design
7.1
NASA officials view lunar module mockup
7.2
Tom Kelly in his office, 1965
8.1
Lunar module’s weight history
12.1
Mated lunar module in final assembly
12.2
Micrometeorite and thermal shields
12.3
Tom Kelly and Dick McLaughlin at LM-1 delivery
15.1
Supporting Apollo 11 in the Spacecraft; Analysis Room
15.2
Celebrating the Apollo 11 Moon landing
Acronyms
| Acronym | Full Name | Definition |
| ACE | Automated checkout equipment | Computerized system for testing spacecraft |
| AEA | Abort electronics assembly | Computer used in AGS |
| AGS | Abort guidance system | Backup guidance and control in LM |
| AIAA | American Institute of Aeronautics | Aerospace engineering professional society and Astronautics |
| ALSEP | Apollo lunar surface experiments | Experiments deployed on the lunar surface package |
| AMPTF | Apollo Mission Planning Task | Prepared mission plans (time lines) and the Force design reference mission |
| APS | Ascent propulsion system | Ascent rocket engine and tanks |
| ASA | Abort sensor assembly | Inertial reference sensors for AGS |
| ASDTP | Apollo Spacecraft Development Test Plan | Overall program test plan |
| ASPO | Apollo Spacecraft Program Office | NASA-Houston program management group for the Apollo spacecraft |
| ATCA | Attitude and translation control | Flight-maneuver hand controllers assembly |
| BAFO | Best and final offer | Contractor’s last offer in competition |
| CARR | Customer Acceptance Readiness Review | Formal review authorizing spacecraft delivery to NASA |
| CDR | Critical Design Review | Approval of detailed design |
| CM | Command module | Launch and reentry spacecraft |
| CRT | Cathode ray tube | Monitor for computer processed data |
| CSM | Command/service modules | CM and SM mated |
| DECA | Descent engine control assembly | Descent-engine controller |
| DEDA | Data entry and display assembly | AGS data entry keyboard |
| DFI | Development flight instrumentation | Added measurements for engineering data |
| DOD | Department of Defense | U.S. Department of Defense |
| DPS | Descent propulsion system | Descent rocket motor and tanks |
| DR | Discrepancy report | Chits written against problems during reviews and flights |
| DRM | Design reference mission | “Typical” mission plan and time line to establish design requirements |
| ECS | Environmental control system | Oxygen and thermal control |
| EMI | Electromagnetic interference | Unintended electrical or magnetic signal distortion |
| EO | Engineering order | Documentation authorizing drawing changes |
| EOR | Earth-orbit rendezvous | Mission mode with two Earth launches and rendezvous and assembly in Earth orbit |
| EPS | Electrical power system | Batteries and power distribution |
| ETRB | Executive and Technical Review Board | Corporate oversight board for LM |
| EVA | Extravehicular activity | Spacewalks outside the spacecraft |
| FITH | Fire in the hole | Igniting LM ascent engine atop the descent stage |
| FTA | Flammability test article | Boilerplate LM cabin for flammability tests |
| GNC | Guidance, navigation, and control | Guidance and attitude system control |
| ICD | Interface control document | Drawings/specifications defining interfaces between spacecraft |
| IFM | In-flight maintenance | Component replacement in flight |
| ISS | International Space Station | Large space station produced by NASA and an international team |
| KSC | Kennedy Space Center | Launch site at Cape Canaveral, Florida |
| L/D | Lift-to-drag ratio | Index of aerodynamic maneuvering capability |
| LEM | Lunar excursion module | NASA’s early name for the lunar module |
| LES | Launch escape system | Escape rocket atop CM at launch |
| LGC | LM guidance computer | Computer for LM guidance and control |
| LM | Lunar module | Lunar landing spacecraft |
| LMP | LM mission programmer | Special programmer for controlling unmanned LM flight |
| LMS | LM mission simulator | Ground-based LM flight simulator |
| LOR | Lunar-orbit rendezvous | Mission mode in which LM rendezvous with CM in lunar orbit |
| LRV | Lunar roving vehicle | Electric-powered car used on later missions |
| LTA | LM test article | Full-scale, partially equipped LM for special tests |
| LTM | LM test model | Reduced-scale test model LM or components |
| MCC | Mission Control Center | Room in NASA-Houston where the flight director and controllers directed flight missions |
| MER | Mission Evaluation Room | Room in NASA Houston Building 45 where contractor engineers supported flights |
| MET | Modular equipment transporter | Hand-drawn cart for carrying equipment on lunar surface |
| MOCR | Mission Operations Control Room | Main control room in NASA-Houston MCC |
| MSC | Manned Spacecraft Center | NASA center at Houston responsible for developing the Apollo Spacecraft (now called Johnson Space Center [JSC]) |
| MSFC | Marshall Spaceflight Center | NASA center at Huntsville, Alabama, responsible for booster-stage development |
| MSFN | Manned spaceflight network | Ground-based radar net work for tracking spacecraft in flight |
| MSR-B | Mission Support Room | Flight support room at Grumman-Bethpage—Bethpage |
| NAA | North American Aviation | Apollo spacecraft (CSM) contractor |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Federal agency responsible for civilian spaceflight |
| O/F | Oxidizer/fuel ratio | Required ratio for rocket firing |
| O&C | Operations and Checkout | Building at KSC for spacecraft launch preparation |
| OCP | Operational checkout procedure | Step-by-step test procedure |
| OMS | Orbital maneuvering system | Space shuttle’s propulsion and RCS |
| PCM | Pulse code modulation | Digital sensor readout technique |
| PD | Preliminary Design | Engineering group for systems studies and proposals |
| PDR | Preliminary Design Review | Meeting for approval of preliminary design |
| RCS | Reaction control system | Small rockets that control attitude and maneuvers |
| RFP | Request for proposals | NASA’s invitation to contractor bids |
| RTG | Radioisotope thermoelectric generator | Isotope power source for ALSEP |
| S/CAT | Spacecraft Assembly and Test | LM final assembly and test organization |
| S&C | Stabilization and control | Controls flight attitude and maneuvering |
| SCAPE | Self-contained air protection equipment | Propellant-resistant suit |
| SEB | Source Evaluation Board | Proposal evaluators |
| SIM | Scientific instrument module | Moon observation sensors aboard CSM |
| SLA | Spacecraft/LM adapter | Structure housing LM on Saturn |
| SM | Service module | Consumable and propul sion module for CM |
| SPAN | Spacecraft Analysis | Room in Mission Control from which spacecraft contractors supported flights |
| SPS | Service propulsion system | Rocket engine system in SM |
| SSA | Source selection authority | Senior source selection official |
| STG | Space Task Group | Organization at NASA-Langley studying manned spaceflight |
| STM | Spacecraft team manager | Responsible for a specific spacecraft (LM or CSM) |
| SWIP | Super Weight Improvement Program | Major weight reduction effort |
| TPP | Total package procurement | Fixed-price purchase of weapon system |
| TPS | Test preparation sheet | Detailed procedures for readying LM for tests and checkout |
| TSM | Technical staff meeting | Daily LM engineering meeting |
| VAB | Vehicle Assembly Building | Facility at KSC for assembling the Apollo booster and spacecraft “stack” |
| VHF | Very high frequency | 2.5 to 3 megahertz for LM |
| VIP | Very important persons | Special viewing area in Mission Control |