We had a meeting on April 9 which was extremely interesting to me. We discussed and settled on how the MSFN tracking and sextant landmark observations would be used in the MCC/RTCC to produce optimum DOI and Descent targeting for the LM. The big new factor that had to be taken into account somehow was…
Category: Lunar descent
Powered descent throttle logic correction
On July 2 I sent you a note regarding the way the DPS is throttled up after the gimbal trim phase during the powered descent maneuver. There were a couple of errors in that memo which are too significant to be left uncorrected….
Descent Data Select procedures are finalized
On July 7 and 8 we held a final review of the Data Select procedures and Flight Controller interface during the Descent phase of the lunar landing mission. This lengthy memo is to describe briefly some of the items discussed, all of which are being thoroughly documented before the flight….
AGS alignments in lunar orbit and operations on the lunar surface
On April 2 we finally got around to establishing how to operate the AGS on the lunar landing mission. The two basic subjects for discussion were how to handle CDU transient problems when aligning the AGS to the PGNCS in lunar orbit and how to operate the AGS in total while on the lunar surface….
APS and DPS operational constraints clarification is needed
Procedures for descent abort (and nominal ascent, too) can be made significantly simpler if we assume it is possible to operate the DPS and APS engines to propellant depletion. You have indicated this is an acceptable way to operate the engines both verbally and in writing, and mission techniques have been developed based on that….
RLS Determination
On April 2 we had a Mission Techniques meeting to discuss how we should handle the determination of the LMs position on the lunar surface (RLS). Specifically, we were concerned with how to determine its values and, after improved values are determined, when they should be loaded into the spacecraft computer. One obvious conclusion, if…
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…
Some decisions regarding lunar landmark tracking on the F and G missions
We had an Ad Hoc Mission Techniques meeting on January 9 to talk over lunar landmark tracking. In particular, we wanted to discuss what we thought had been learned from the C’ mission and what we want to do on the F and G missions. This memo is to outline all that briefly. The specific…
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…
Results of the October 8 Apollo Spacecraft Software Configuration Control Board (ASSCCB) meeting
In this memo I will briefly describe some of the highlights of the subject meeting:…