This memo is to request your participation in the detailed development of the Apollo Mission Techniques for the Descent phase of the lunar landing mission. We are setting up a small working group of the following composition to do this job:…
Category: H
It is proposed that we plan a two step LOI maneuver
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,…
Reentry from lunar missions
On January 12 a group of Flight Crew, Flight Control and Mission Planning guys got together to talk about the lunar reentry and some rather interesting things came out which I am recording here for my records and your amusement….
Descent, Lunar Surface, and Ascent Mission Techniques with the H crew
On May 20 and 21 we reviewed Descent, Lunar Surface, and Ascent Mission Techniques with the H crew (Pete Conrad and co.). This get together had two major objectives – to tell the H crew how we think these things should be done and conversely, for the first time to get a flight crew reaction…
CSM Rescue Mission Techniques are complete and clean
On June 9 we had our final Mission Techniques meeting on CSM Rescue. I am pleased to report that this stuff appears to be in very good shape. After much hard work by many people, the CSM rescue rendezvous plans shake down to only two basic profiles. Each of these has minor modifications to account…
Some significant LUMINARY program changes you should know about
I really blew it at the June 5 Apollo Spacecraft Software Configuration Control Board meeting. Although dozens of rather minor changes were approved, the one I was most concerned about wasn’t even discussed and I completely forgot it. This memo is to inform you that we are now desperately trying to include a capability in…
Post Insertion CSM P52 is optional
Dick Gordon and Pete Conrad called the other day to ask how important we feel the CSM platform alignment is just after LM insertion into orbit. As I recall, this alignment is a carry-over from the time we planned to do the CSM plane change just prior to lift-off rather than just after landing as…
How to land next to a Surveyor – a short novel for do-it-yourselfers
As you know a decision has been made for the H mission to land next to Surveyor III. Considerable amount of work has already been spent in figuring out how to perform a so-called point landing, but a number of computer program and procedure changes are required which cannot be implemented prior to this mission….
Notice of a catch-all Apollo 12 Mission Techniques meeting
We have scheduled a Mission Techniques meeting on Monday, September 15, 1969, to go over the Apollo 12 flight for the “last” time. Although most of the discussion will probably deal with the landing and rendezvous phases, we would like to clean up all open items regardless of mission phase….
Invitation to an Apollo 13 Lunar Orbit Mission Techniques meeting
“The time has come” the walrus said, “to talk of many things.” This classic quotation apparently now applies to the Apollo 13 lunar orbit mission techniques and this walrus is suggesting Tuesday, September 23. Bob Lindsay has subjected his flight plan to three iterations already and it’s shaping up nicely; the FOD guys have a…