TRW Systems released the AS-207/208 Preliminary Spacecraft Reference Trajectory during the first week of May. This report was put together on a compressed schedule, starting from rather hastily defined mission requirements. As a result, there are a number of things about it which were recognized as being in error even before release; however, since we…
Category: Docked DPS burn
LGC computer requirements to provide DPS backup of SPS
During our discussion at MIT last week, the question came up as to whether it is necessary to have trajectory integration techniques in the LCG for the trans-earth phase of the mission as well as the lunar phase. The argument is that if we are serious about using the LM descent propulsion system to back…
Significant modifications currently planned in the Apollo Spacecraft Computer Programs
Quite a number of decisions have been obtained from the Apollo Program Manager affecting the development of the AS-258 and AS-504 spacecraft computer programs which I am recording here for my own later reference. As usual, I will send it along to you on the chance that you might be interested….
Use of DPS for lunar mission aborts
The other day Carl Huss and some of the flight Analysis Branch people gave an internal briefing on Apollo aborting procedures for the lunar landing mission starting with the translunar injection (TLI) maneuver. One thing that impressed me was the large number of situations in which dependence is given to using the Descent Propulsion System…
Mission “D” Rendezvous Mission Techniques meeting
The second of the subject meeting was held on January 17. Some odds and ends were resolved, and one other significant operational procedure was proposed dealing with CSM operations during CSM active rendezvous….
LM propulsion of the LM/CSM configuration as an SPS backup technique
The question of using LM propulsion in a LM/CSM configuration has recently been the subject of detailed review. Control system studies, both inhouse and at GAEC, have contributed to that review. Because of the current interest in the LM propelled docked configuration and its guidance and control systems, a review of the studies performed in support of the system development effort has been made. The present memorandum is intended to summarize the results of those studies….
Spacecraft computer program newsletter
I learned some things at MIT last week that seemed interesting enough to justify this note. Of course, it deals primarily with the spacecraft computer programs and their influence on the mission techniques we are developing….
Relative orientation of the LM and CSM navigation bases
Unless some unexpected problem arises, it is currently planned to align the LM platform on the “D” mission for the docked DPS burns without AOT star observations. The primary reason for this is to save LM RCS fuel, although it is anticipated that overall crew procedures may also be simplified. The proposed technique involves taking…
LM propulsion of the LM/CSM configuration as an SPS backup technique
The capabilities described in the attached EA memo, same subject, were will coordinated throughout MSC leading to the present situation, which as far as I can determine is acceptable to everyone. No associated action is requested of you….
Should LM RCS jet #10 be disabled for the “D” mission docked DPS burn?
The following paragraph is extracted from MIT’s Spacecraft Autopilot Development Memo #11-68, dated July 24, 1968, by William S. Widnall….