For the past several months there has been considerable discussion regarding the question of whether we should perform the lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver as a single burn or if it should be made in two steps. This is an important matter to resolve since it has impact on RTCC program development, guidance systems targeting,…
Category: Contingency plans
G Rendezvous Mission Techniques
If you can stand it, I would like to announce another change in the G mission lunar rendezvous timeline. In order to provide more tracking which will hopefully improve CSI targeting and to avoid bothersome real time variations of time between CSI and CDH which foul up the plane change scheduling, we propose:…
Aborts from powered descent on the lunar landing mission
We spent the entire May 8 Ascent Data Priority meeting discussing mission techniques associated with aborts from powered descent on a lunar landing mission. This discussion led to some pretty simple procedures which are outlined in this memo. They are based on some assumptions which I’ve also listed below. If you feel that they are…
July 9 and July 24 “G” Rendezvous Mission Techniques meetings
During the July 9 and July 24 “G” Rendezvous Mission Techniques meetings we have developed preliminary intra-vehicular rendezvous navigation sighting schedules. Crew work load estimates currently in use for the “D” mission rendezvous are included. These tracking schedules are very important since they have a predominating influence on almost everything else. For example, from these…
Operations required for communication loss on F and G are sure better than on C’
I think we have pretty well established how to handle a communication loss situation on the F and G missions. In effect, we have defined which Block data must be sent and what onboard cis-lunar navigation needs to be carried out. In both cases, of course, it is possible to cut back substantially from the…
No special spacecraft computer programs are to be developed for AS-208B and AS-503
The decision has bean made by the Apollo Program Manager that unique computer programs need not be developed for missions AS-208B (LM) and AS-503 (CM). This decision was brought about due to concern that effort on these programs would affect development of the main line programs. It is certainly consistent with numerous other actions taken…
LM high-bit rate telemetry data is not mandatory
A somewhat controversial mission rule is on the books for the Apollo 12 flight dealing with LM high-bit rate data. Specifically, it indicates that it is all right to proceed with the mission (e.g., undocking, DOI, PDI, etc.) in the absence of LM high-bit rate data with an implied provision that some sort of procedures…
Cis-lunar spacecraft navigation for C’
We are still thrashing around trying to figure out what to do with regard to cis-lunar spacecraft navigation for the C’ mission. It is not clear whether a couple of things are really necessary or not. If we could get rid of them, it would simplify things. Unfortunately, we aren’t confident it is safe to…
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…
Spacecraft guidance for TLI
(2-18-69) After yesterday’s meeting/on the F mission, I have had some second thoughts and prompting by others about using the spacecraft guidance and platform for S-IVB TLI. The following summarizes my position and is to be used as policy in FOD….