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	Topics Apollo spacecraft Topic Home The Apollo spacecraft was designed as part of the Apollo ProgramProject Apollo Project Apollo was a series of human spaceflight missions undertaken by the United States of America using the Apollo space... , by the United StatesUnited States The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is... in the early 1960s to land men on the moonMoon The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite.... before 1970 and return them safely to earthEarth Earth is the third planet in the solar system in terms of distance from the Sun, and the fifth largest.... . This goal was set forth by President KennedyJohn F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy , also referred to as John F.... after the first flight of the Mercury Space ProgramProject Mercury Project Mercury was the United States' first successful manned spaceflight program.... . The spacecraft was made up of multiple units or stages that worked together to perform the mission of landingLanding Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal or aircraft returns to the ground.... on the moon and returning safely to earth. The main components of the Apollo spacecraft were (going from top to bottom) the launch escape system, the Command ModuleFacts About Apollo Command/Service Module olspan="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="skyblue"\|North American Apollo CSM... , the Service ModuleApollo Command/Service Module olspan="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="skyblue"\|North American Apollo CSM... , the Lunar Module and the lunar module adapter. These stages together would sit atop the launch vehicle. The principle was Lunar Orbit RendezvousLunar orbit rendezvous Lunar Orbit Rendezvous was the method of flying to the moon used in the Apollo Missions, where a main ship would carry a fer... : A rocketRocket The traditional definition of a rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejectio... would launch the spacecraftSpacecraft Overview A spacecraft is a vehicle designed to operate beyond the surface of the Earth in outer space.... to the moon. The spacecraft would fly to the moon and orbit it. A smaller portion of the spacecraft would land on the moon and return to lunar orbitORBit ORBit is a CORBA compliant Object Request Broker.... . Then a portion of the spacecraft would return to earth. Launch vehicles: Little Joe IILittle Joe II Sorry, no overview for this topic , Saturn I, Saturn IBSaturn IB The Saturn IB was an uprated version of the Saturn I, which was the first manned launch vehicle not directly derived from an... , and Saturn VSaturn V The Saturn V was a multistage liquid-fuel expendable rocket used by NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs.... . Launch Escape System (LES) The purpose of the Apollo launch escape systemLaunch escape system A Launch Escape System is a top-mounted rocket connected to the crew module of a crewed spacecraft and used to quickly separ... was to pull the Command Module (which contained the crew cabin) away from the launch vehicle in an abort situation. The emergency could be a pad fire, exploding launch vehicle or a launch vehicle going off course. The Launch Escape System would work automatically (or through manual activation) to fire a solid fuel escape rocket and open a canard system to direct the Command Module away from, and off the path of, a launch vehicle in trouble. The Launch Escape System would then jettison and the Command Module would land with its parachuteParachute A parachute is a soft fabric device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag.... recovery system. If the emergency happened on the launch pad, the Launch Escape System would lift the Command Module to a sufficient height to allow the recovery parachutes to deploy safely before coming in contact with the ground. Major Components of the Launch Escape System (LES) Nose Cone and Q-Ball—The nosecone of the LES contained sensors to sense aerodynamic pressure ("Q"), and thereby determine the angle of attack, airspeed, and attitude of the spacecraft and launch vehicle. This structure, known as the Q-ball, relayed this information to the command module and the launch vehicle guidance system. Q-Ball cover—The Q-ball's pitot tubePitot tube A Pitot tube is a measuring instrument used to measure fluid flow velocity, and more specifically, used to determine ... s, which could easily be clogged by debris, were protected by a styrofoam cover that was removed a few seconds before launch. The Q-ball cover was split in half vertically and held together by a rubber band. A razor blade was positioned behind the rubber band, pinched between the halves of the cover. A wire rope was connected to the top and bottom of the razor blade and to both halves of the cover. The wire rope was routed through a pulley on the hammerhead crane at the top of the launch umbilical tower (LUT) down to a tube on the right side of the level of the LUT. The wire rope was connected to a cylindrical weight inside a tube. The weight rested on a lever controlled by a pneumatic solenoid valve. When the valve was actuated from the Launch Control Center (LCC), the pneumatic pressure of 600 PSI GN2 (nitrogen gas) rotated the lever down allowing the weight to drop down the tube. The dropping weight pulled the wire rope, which pulled the blade cutting the rubber band, and the wire rope pulled the halves of the Q-Ball away from the launch vehicle. The apparent overengineering of this simple system was due to the fact that the launch escape system, which depended on the Q-ball data, was armed 5 minutes before launch, so retraction of the Q-ball cover was a life-critical part of a possible pad abort. Canard Assembly and Pitch Motor—These worked in combination to direct the Command Module off a straight path and to the side during an emergency. This would direct the Command Module off the flight path of an exploding launch vehicle. It would also direct the Command Module to land off to the side of any launch pad fire and not in the middle of it. Tower Jettison Motor—A smaller solid fuel motor that jettisons the Launch Escape System after it is no longer needed. This usually happens after second stage ignition. Launch Escape Motor—The main solid fuel rocket motor that, firing through four rocket nozzles, pulls the Command Module rapidly away from a launch emergency. Launch Escape Tower—Assembly that attaches the Launch Escape System rocket motors to the Command Module. Boost Protective Cover—Hollow conical structure that fits over the Command Module during launch. It protects the Command Module heat shield and windows during ascent through the atmosphere. It also protects the Command Module from rocket exhaust should the Launch Escape System have to be used. Specifications Total Length: 10.2 m Diameter: 0.66 m Total mass: 9,200 lbFacts About Pound (mass) The pound is the name of a unit of mass in a number of different systems, including various systems of units of mass that f... (4,170 kg) ThrustThrust Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newton's Second and Third Laws.... : 155,000 lbfPound-force Overview A pound-force is a unit of force. One pound-force is the force equivalent to that exerted on a mass of one avoirdupois pound... (689 kN) Abort Tests Pad Abort Test-1Pad Abort Test-1 (Apollo) Pad Abort Test 1 was the first abort test of the Apollo spacecraft on November 7, 1963. ... —Launch Escape System (LES) abort test from launch pad with Apollo BoilerplateBoilerplate (rocketry) The term Boilerplate in rocketry refers to a non-functional system or payload which is used to test the configuration.... BP-6. Pad Abort Test-2Pad Abort Test-2 (Apollo) Pad Abort Test 2 was the second pad abort test of the Apollo spacecraft.... —LES pad abort test of near Block-I CM with Apollo Boilerplate B-23A. Little Joe IILittle Joe II Sorry, no overview for this topic —In-air LES abort tests. Command Module (CM) The Command Module was the control center for the Apollo spacecraft and living quarters for the crew. It contained the pressurized main crew cabin, crew couches, control and instrument panel, optical and electronic guidance systemsApollo PGNCS The Apollo Primary Guidance, Navigation and Control System was a self-contained inertial guidance system that allowed Apollo... , communications systems, environmental control system, batteries, heat shieldHeat shield Overview A heat shield is a protective layer on a spacecraft or ballistic missile that is designed to protect it from the high temper... , reaction control system, forward docking hatch, side hatch, five windows and the parachute recovery system. Specifications Crew: 3 Crew cabin volume: 6.17 m³ Length: 3.47 m Diameter: 3.90 m Mass: 5,806 kg Structure Mass: 1,567 kg Heat Shield Mass: 848 kg RCS Mass: 400 kg Recovery Equipment Mass: 245 kg Navigation Equipment Mass: 505 kg Telemetry Equipment Mass: 200 kg Electrical Equipment Mass: 700 kg Communications Systems Mass: 100 kg Crew Couches and Provisions Mass: 550 kg Environmental Control System Mass: 200 kg Misc. Contingency Mass: 200 kg RCS Thrust: 12 x 420 N RCS Propellants: N₂O₄/UDMHFacts About UDMH Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine is a hypergolic rocket fuel ingredient, often used as a bipropellant in combination with the... RCS Engine Propellants: 75 kg RCS Specific Impulse I_sp: 290 s (2.84 kN·s/kg) RCS Impulse: 257 kN·s Electric System Batteries: 20.0 kW·h, 1000 A·h Service Module (SM) The Service Module was a portion of the spacecraft that was unpressurized and contained fuel cells, batteries, high gain antenna, radiators, water, oxygen, hydrogen, reaction control system and propellant to enter and leave lunar orbit, and service propulsion systems. On Apollo 15, 16 and 17 it also carried a scientific instrument package, mapping camera and a small sub-satellite to study the moon. A major portion of the service module was taken up by propellant and the main rocket engine that placed the Apollo spacecraft into and out of lunar orbit. The main rocket engine was also used for mid-course corrections between the earth and the moon. It was capable of multiple restarts. During Apollo 13Apollo 13 Apollo 13 was the third American-manned lunar-landing mission, part of the Apollo program.... , a tank heater thermostat fused closed, causing gases in an oxygen tank to vaporize and melted the casing on the wires to the tank stirring fan. During flight when the tank fan was turned on, a spark from short caused the gas to ignite. It remained attached to the Command Module throughout the mission. It was jettisoned just prior to reentry into the earth's atmosphere. Specifications Length: 7.56 m Diameter: 3.90 m Mass: 24,523 kg Structure Mass: 1,910 kg Electrical Equipment Mass: 1,200 kg RCS Thrust: 16 × 440 N Propellants: N₂O₄/UDMH RCS Specific Impulse I_sp: 290 s (2.84 kN·s/kg) RCS Impulse: 3,517 kN·s Service Propulsion Engine (SPS) Engine Mass: 3,000 kg SPS Engine Thrust: 98 kN SPS Engine Propellants: N₂O₄/Aerozine 50Aerozine 50 Aerozine 50 is a 50/50 mix of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine.... (UDMH/N₂H₄) SPS Engine Propellants: 18,413 kg SPS Engine Specific Impulse I_sp: 314 s (3.08 kN·s/kg) Spacecraft Delta-V: 2.804 km/s Electrical System: Fuel Cells Electric System: 6.30 average kW, 670 kW·h Lunar Module (LM) The Lunar Module was the portion of the Apollo spacecraft that landed on the moon and returned to lunar orbit. It is divided into two major parts, the Descent Module and the Ascent Module. It was designed specifically for flight in space. It supplied life support systems for two astronauts for a total of four to five days. The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by the Grumman Aircraft Company led by Tom Kelly. The Descent Module contains the landing gear, landing radar antenna, descent rocket engine, and fuel to land on the moon. It also had several cargo compartments used to carry among other things, the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Packages ALSEP, Mobile Equipment Cart (a hand pulled equipment cart - Apollo 14Apollo 14 Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the Apollo program and the third mission to land on the Moon. ... ) the Lunar RoverLunar rover The Lunar Roving Vehicle or Lunar rover or LRV is a land vehicle for use on the Moon.... (moon car - Apollo 15Facts About Apollo 15 *Apollo 15* was the ninth manned mission in the Apollo program and the fourth mission to land on the Moon.... , 16Apollo 16 Overview Apollo 16 was the tenth manned mission in the Apollo program and the fifth mission to land on the Moon. ... and 17Apollo 17 Summary Apollo 17 was the eleventh manned space mission in the NASA Apollo program and was the sixth and last manned mission to date... ), surface television camera, surface tools and lunar sample collection boxes. The Ascent Module contains the crew cabin, instrument panels, overhead hatch/docking port, forward hatch, optical and electronic guidance systemsApollo PGNCS The Apollo Primary Guidance, Navigation and Control System was a self-contained inertial guidance system that allowed Apollo... , reaction control system, radar and communications antennas, ascent rocket engine and fuel to return to lunar orbit and rendezvousFacts About Space rendezvous A space rendezvous between two spacecraft, often between a spacecraft and a space station, is an orbital maneuver where the... with the Apollo Command and Service Modules. Specifications Ascent Stage Crew: 2 Crew cabin volume: 6.65 m³ Height: 3.54 m Diameter: 4.27 m Ascent Stage Mass: 4,547 kg Ascent Engine Propellants: 2,358 kg RCS Thrust: 16 × 440 N RCS Propellants: N₂O₄/UDMH RCS Specific Impulse I_sp: 290 s (2.84 kN·s/kg) Ascent Engine Thrust: 16 kN Ascent Engine Propellants: N₂O₄/Aerozine 50Aerozine 50 Aerozine 50 is a 50/50 mix of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine.... (UDMH/N₂H₄) Ascent Engine I_sp: 311 s (3.05 kN·s/kg) Ascent Stage Delta-V: 2.22 km/s Electric System Batteries: 17 kW·h, 800 A·h Descent Stage Height: 2.83 m Diameter: 4.21 m Landing Gear Diameter: 9.37 m Descent Stage Mass: 10,149 kg Descent Engine Propellants: 8,165 kg Descent Engine Thrust: 44 kN Descent Engine Propellants: N₂O₄/Aerozine 50Facts About Aerozine 50 Aerozine 50 is a 50/50 mix of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine.... (UDMH/N₂H₄) Descent Engine Engine Specific Impulse I_sp: 311 s (3.05 kN·s/kg) Descent Stage Delta-V: 2.47 km/s Electric System Batteries: 33 kW·h, 1,600 A·h Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) The Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) was a conical aluminum structure which supported the Service Module above the Saturn S-IVBS-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... rocket stage. It protected the Lunar Module, the Service Propulsion System engine nozzle, and the launch vehicle to Service Module umbilical during launch and ascent through the atmosphere. The SLA was composed of four fixed seven foot long panels bolted to the Instrument UnitSaturn V Instrument Unit Summary The Saturn V Instrument Unit is a ring-shaped structure fitted to the top of the Saturn V rocket's third stage and the Satur... on top of the S-IVBS-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... stage, which were connected via hinges to four twenty-one foot long panels which would open from the top similar to flower petals. The SLA was made from 1.7 inch (42.5 mm) thick aluminum honeycomb material. The exterior of the SLA was covered by a thin (0.03–0.2 inch, 1–5 mm) layer of cork and painted white to minimize thermal stresses during launch and ascent. The Service Module was bolted to a flange at the top of the longer panels, and power to the SLA multiply-redundant pyrotechnics was provided by an umbilical. Because a failure to separate from the S-IVBFacts About S-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... stage could leave the crew stranded in orbit, the separation system used multiple signal paths, multiple detonators and multiple explosive charges where the detonation of one charge would set off another even if the detonator on that charge failed to function. Once in space, the astronauts pressed the 'CSM/LV Sep' button on the control panel to separate the Command and Service Module from the launch vehicle. Detonating cord was ignited around the flange between the Service Module and SLA, and along the joints between the four SLA panels, releasing the Service Module and blowing apart the connections between the panels. Dual-redundant pyrotechnic thrusters at the lower end of the SLA panels then fired to rotate them around the hinges at 30-60 degrees per second. On the Apollo 7 flight the SLA panels were retained on the S-IVBS-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... , but concerns about collision between the CSM and the SLA panels when docking with the Lunar Module led to a decision that the Saturn V launches would release the panels during the separation process. When they opened to an angle of approximately 45 degrees the hinges connecting the moving panels to the fixed panels disengaged, and springs pushed the panels away from the S-IVBS-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... at a velocity of around five miles per hour. Hence by the time the astronauts had rotated the Command/Service Module through one hundred and eighty degrees in preparation for dockingSpace rendezvous A space rendezvous between two spacecraft, often between a spacecraft and a space station, is an orbital maneuver where the... , the panels were a safe distance away with no chance of a collision occurring. The Lunar Module was connected to the SLA at four points around the lower panels. After the astronauts docked the CSM to the LEM, they blew charges to separate those connections and a guillotine severed the LEM to Instrument UnitSaturn V Instrument Unit The Saturn V Instrument Unit is a ring-shaped structure fitted to the top of the Saturn V rocket's third stage and the Satur... umbilical. After the charges fired, springs pushed the LEM away from the S-IVBS-IVB References* Marshall Space Flight Center, ', 1st Feb. 1964... and the astronauts were free to continue their trip to the Moon. Specifications Height: 8.5 m (28 ft) Apex Diameter: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) Service Module end Base Diameter: 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) S-IVB end Weight: 1,837 kg (4,050 lb) Volume: 190 m³ (6,700 ft³), 140 m³ (5,000 ft³) usable Abort modes Apollo abort modesApollo abort modes During the course of the launch of an Apollo spacecraft by the Saturn V rocket there were several ways for the crew and computers ... Pad Abort Test-1Pad Abort Test-1 (Apollo) Pad Abort Test 1 was the first abort test of the Apollo spacecraft on November 7, 1963. ... - Launch Escape System (LES) abort test from launch pad with Apollo BoilerplateBoilerplate (rocketry) The term Boilerplate in rocketry refers to a non-functional system or payload which is used to test the configuration.... BP-6. Pad Abort Test-2Pad Abort Test-2 (Apollo) Pad Abort Test 2 was the second pad abort test of the Apollo spacecraft.... - LES pad abort test of near Block-I CM with Apollo Boilerplate B-23A. Current locations of Command and Lunar Modules AS-202 Command Module - USS HornetUSS Hornet (CV-12) The eighth USS Hornet was originally named USS Kearsarge, but renamed in honor of the CV-8, which was lost in Octobe... , Alameda, CaliforniaAlameda, California Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States.... Apollo 1 Command Module - Langley Research CenterLangley Research Center Langley Research Center Oldest of NASA's field centers, LaRC is located in Hampton, Virginia and directly borders Poquoson, ... , Hampton, VirginiaHampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city in Virginia.... Apollo 5 Lunar Module - Burned up in Earth's atmosphere Apollo 6 Command Module - Fernbank Science CenterFernbank Science Center The Fernbank Science Center is a museum, classroom, and woodland complex located at 156 Heaton Park Drive, northeast of Atla... , Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the state of Georgia in the United States.... Apollo 7 Command Module - Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas Summary Dallas is the third-largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.... Apollo 8 Command Module - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) The Museum of Science and Industry is located in Chicago, Illinois in Jackson Park, in the Hyde Park neighborhood.... , Chicago, Illinois Apollo 9 Command Module "Gumdrop" - San Diego Aerospace MuseumSan Diego Aerospace Museum San Diego Aerospace Museum is an aviation and space exploration museum in San Diego, California, USA.... , San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California San Diego is a coastal Southern California city located in the southwestern corner of the continental United States.... Apollo 9 Lunar Module "Spider" - Burned up in Earth's atmosphere Apollo 10 Command Module "Charlie Brown" - Science MuseumScience museum A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science.... , London, England Apollo 10 Lunar Module "Snoopy" - In heliocentric orbitHeliocentric orbit A heliocentric orbit is an orbit around the Sun.... Apollo 11 Command Module "Columbia" - National Air and Space MuseumNational Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in the United States maintains the largest collection of ai... , Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America.... Apollo 11 Lunar Module "Eagle" - Jettisoned from Columbia on July 21, 1969 at 23:41 UT Impact site unknown Apollo 12 Command Module "Yankee Clipper" - Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, VirginiaHampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city in Virginia.... Apollo 12 Lunar Module "Intrepid" - Impacted Moon on November 20, 1969 at 22:17:17.7 UT 3.94 S, 21.20 W Apollo 13Apollo 13 Apollo 13 was the third American-manned lunar-landing mission, part of the Apollo program.... Command Module "Odyssey" - Kansas Cosmosphere and Space CenterKansas Cosmosphere and Space Center The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is a museum and educational facility in Hutchinson, Kansas that is best known for th... , Hutchinson, KansasHutchinson, Kansas Overview Hutchinson is the largest city and county seat of Reno County, Kansas, 219 miles west of Kansas City, Mo., on the Arkansas R... Apollo 13 Lunar Module "Aquarius" - Burned up in Earth's atmosphere April 17, 1970 Apollo 14 Command Module "Kitty Hawk" - Astronaut Hall of FameAstronaut Hall of Fame The United States Astronaut Hall of Fame is located in Titusville, Florida.... , Titusville, FloridaTitusville, Florida Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States.... Apollo 14 Lunar Module "Antares" - Impacted Moon on February 7, 1971 at 00:45:25.7 UT 3.42 S, 19.67 W Apollo 15 Command Module "Endeavor" - National Museum of the United States Air ForceNational Museum of the United States Air Force \|-\| Wright 1909 Military FlyerCurtiss 1911 Model D... , Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseWright-Patterson Air Force Base Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a U.S.... , near Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio Overview Dayton is a city in southwestern Ohio, United States with a population of 166,179 .... Apollo 15 Lunar Module "Falcon" - Impacted Moon on August 4, 1971 at 03:03:37.0 UT 26.36 N, 0.25 E Apollo 16 Command Module "Casper" - U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AlabamaHuntsville, Alabama Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County, Alabama.... Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" - Released on April 24, 1972, loss of attitude control made targeted impact impossible, impact site unknown Apollo 17 Command Module "America" - NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TexasHouston, Texas Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States.... Apollo 17 Lunar Module "Challenger" - Impacted Moon on December 15, 1972 at 06:50:20.8 UT 19.96 N, 30.50 E Apollo-Soyuz Command Module - California Science CenterCalifornia Science Center The California Science Center is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.... , Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California Los Angeles, known as "L.A." or the "City of Angels", is the largest city in the state of California and the sec... Apollo-Soyuz Test Command Module - Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA space vehicle launch facility near Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island in Florid... , Merritt Island, FloridaMerritt Island, Florida Merritt Island is a census designated place in Brevard County, on the Atlantic coast of the U.S.... Skylab 2 / Crew 1 Command Module - National Museum of Naval AviationNational Museum of Naval Aviation The National Museum of Naval Aviation is located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.... , Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida Pensacola is a city in Escambia County, Florida.... Skylab 3 / Crew 2 Command Module - NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis FieldGlenn Research Center The Glenn Research Center is located in Cleveland, Ohio between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the Rocky River ... , Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio For the Cleveland area, see Greater Cleveland.... Skylab 4 / Crew 3 Command Module - National Air and Space MuseumNational Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in the United States maintains the largest collection of ai... , Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America....