On April 3 we had an Ascent Mission Techniques meeting – the first in a long time. This memo is mostly to express some rather general observations….
Category: Contingency plans
Current status on the LM DPS engine gimbal caution light problem
This memorandum is to report the results of a very brief investigation into the adequacy of the LM Descent Propulsion System (DPS) engine gimbal caution light. Briefly, this light comes on if a difference between the gimbal drive signal and the gimbal response signal from the Y or Z axis trim malfunction logic is sensed….
How we will handle the effect of mascons on the LM lunar surface gravity alignments
What do we do if one of those big damn lumps of gold is buried so near the LM that it screws up our gravity alignment on the lunar surface? Without exception, the calculations of all the various far-flung experts predict that mascons should have no significant effect on our lunar surface gravity alignments. In…
Crew familiarization and training for TLI
During our many discussions on the need for command module steering of the S-IVB during TLI, a potential crew familiarization. training problem became apparent. Specifically, even if the P-15 CSM TLI Steering is retained, it is not obvious that it will be possible to make the AMS faithfully reproduce the attitude excursions which may be…
“C” Mission Retrofire and Reentry Mission Techniques meeting
On Friday morning, July 19, we had a “C” Mission Retrofire and Reentry Mission Techniques meeting to clean up some open items. It is evident that a distribution of correction pages to our previously distributed Mission Techniques document will be inadequate and it is our current plan to republish the whole book. Some of the…
When is the rendezvous radar designate routine (R29) needed?
George Cherry (MIT) asked if it is possible to drop the rendezvous radar designate routine (R29) out of the descent abort programs (P70 and P71). He gave me the impression that to do so now would significantly reduce their work and permit concentration in testing in more profitable areas. I don’t know when the next…
C’ Transearth Midcourse Correction (MCC) and Entry Mission Techniques
On September 13, we conducted a review of the Transearth MCC and Entry Mission Techniques for a lunar mission. Although, originally developed for an F or G type mission, the discussion was almost completely devoted to C’. Participation included all interested MSC organizations (including the C’ flight crew) as well as representatives from North American,…
Rendezvous maneuver targeting for guidance system backup
During the “D/E” Rendezvous Mission Techniques meeting of April 15, we spent a lot of time discussing the data transmitted from the ground to the spacecraft involving the CSI and CDH maneuvers. This discussion, of course, centered on how the data should be used and led to a tentative conclusion regarding the backup of these…
Descent Aborts and subsequent Rendezvous Mission Techniques
On April 28, 1969 we reviewed the Descent Aborts and subsequent Rendezvous Mission Techniques with the crew and the rest of the world. I think most of this is quite complete and agreeable to everyone concerned, with one major exception. I was shocked and ashamed to find that I had badly misunderstood the situation regarding…
Lunar Reentry Mission Techniques meeting – March 7
On March 7 we had a Data Priority Mission Techniques meeting on lunar reentry. This was the first on this mission phase with contractor participation. Our objective was to understand the current status of the business and to begin pinning down the operational procedures to be used onboard the spacecraft and on the ground. We…