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: D
Notes from the MIT program development plan meeting of April 12
A few things came out of our program development plan meeting at MIT on April 12 that might be worth recording for my memory and your information….
Apparently, S/C 103 may fly one month after S/C 101
At his staff meeting on Monday, George Low made a strong point about uncoupling Spacecraft 101 and Spacecraft 103. Apparently, he feels it is likely that 103 will be launched on a Saturn 5 which implies no pad readiness schedule implications. The LM-2 will be available at the Cape early and, apparently, Spacecraft 103 is…
It’s SUNDISK for Spacecraft 103
This memo is to make absolutely sure you are aware of the horrible decision we had to make, namely that we must use the SUNDISK spacecraft computer program for Command Module 103 as well as 101. Of course, I am bringing this to your special attention since it has obvious influence on how the Apollo…
Rendezvous meeting reminder
This note is to remind you of our Rendezvous meetings on January 3, 1968. In the morning we hope to discuss Rendezvous on the “C” mission starting at 9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon Rendezvous on the “D” mission starting about 1:00pm….
AGS accelerometers may not work.
Apparently, there is a basic problem in the LM Abort Guidance System (AGS). Although it is not widely known, there is a rumor the accelerometers do not work and it is highly likely G&C Division will elect to procure the AGS accelerometers from another source. Since it is too late to obtain and incorporate them…
“Final” review of Spacecraft (Mission “C”) Retrofire and Reentry Mission Techniques
On January 10 we had a “final” review of Spacecraft 101 (Mission “C”) Retrofire and Reentry Mission Techniques as documented in the logical flow charts prepared by TRW based on a series of meetings we have had here at MSC. These flow charts, which show the operations starting several hours prior to the retrofire maneuver…
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….
Terminal phase transfer angle may be changed to 130°
Extensive analyses were carried out in preparation for Gemini rendezvous which led to our selection of a 130° terminal phase transfer angle. Entirely independent analyses on Apollo apparently have led to selection of 140° for the rendezvous transfer angle. More recently, however, people in the Flight Crew Operations Directorate have been re-examining this and, according…
Third “D” Mission Rendezvous Mission Techniques meeting
We had our third “D” Mission Rendezvous Mission Techniques meeting on January 29. I am afraid it was a rather frustrating meeting for everyone. But on second thought—what’s new?…