Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module PDF
Preview Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module
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. www.smithsonianbooks.com v3.1_r1 To Joan, whose loving support made my lunar adventure possible. Contents Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication List of Illustrations List of Acronyms 1 A Difficult Delivery Part 1. Winning 2 We Could Go to the Moon 3 The LM Proposal 4 The Fat Lady Sings Part 2. Designing, Building, and Testing 5 Engineering a Miracle 6 Mockups 7 Pushing Out the Drawings 8 Trimming Pounds and Ounces 9 Problems, Problems! 10 Schedule and Cost Pressures 11 Tragedy Strikes Apollo 12 Building What I Designed Part 3. Flying 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 17 Rescue in Space: Apollo 13 18 The Undaunted Warrior Triumphs: Apollo 14 19 Great Explorations: Apollos 15, 16, and 17 20 Our Future Slips Away Epilogue: The Legacy of Apollo Notes 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 Automated checkout Computerized system for testing ACE equipment spacecraft Abort electronics AEA Computer used in AGS assembly AGS Abort guidance system Backup guidance and control in LM American Institute of Aerospace engineering professional AIAA Aeronautics society and Astronautics Apollo lunar surface Experiments deployed on the lunar ALSEP experiments surface package Prepared mission plans (time lines) Apollo Mission Planning AMPTF and the Force design reference Task mission Ascent propulsion APS Ascent rocket engine and tanks system ASA Abort sensor assembly Inertial reference sensors for AGS Apollo Spacecraft ASDTP Overall program test plan Development Test Plan NASA-Houston program Apollo Spacecraft ASPO management group for the Apollo Program Office spacecraft spacecraft Attitude and translation Flight-maneuver hand controllers ATCA control assembly Contractor’s last offer in BAFO Best and final offer competition Customer Acceptance Formal review authorizing CARR Readiness Review spacecraft delivery to NASA CDR Critical Design Review Approval of detailed design CM Command module Launch and reentry spacecraft Monitor for computer processed CRT Cathode ray tube data Command/service CSM CM and SM mated modules Descent engine control DECA Descent-engine controller assembly Data entry and display DEDA AGS data entry keyboard assembly Development flight Added measurements for DFI instrumentation engineering data DOD Department of Defense U.S. Department of Defense Descent propulsion DPS Descent rocket motor and tanks system Chits written against problems DR Discrepancy report during reviews and flights “Typical” mission plan and time DRM Design reference mission line to establish design requirements
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