This memo is in confirmation of our telephone conversation March 30, 1967 regarding LM S-band antenna acquisition. As you are aware, some months ago we reinstated to MIT the requirement for providing DSKY displays of pointing angles compatible with the astronaut’s S-band antenna controls to assist him in acquiring the MSFN while in lunar orbit….
Month: April 1967
Interim progress report – RTCC program development – AS-258(!) Ground Support Simulations Computer [GSSC] programs
I haven’t gone very far into the AS-258(!) GSSC review yet. However, some things are beginning to crystallize. This memo is to list some of the conclusions I have tentatively reached. I would be very much interested in your comments the next time we get together….
Descent Engine Gimbal Polarity Error
References: (a) LTX 500-52, Courseen to Young, 23 March 1967…
Proceed button
Looks like we’re approaching the final chapter in the proceed button story. As I understand it, all manned Apollo spacecraft will have computers wired such that the standby button serves the dual purpose of standby function, as before, and a proceed function duplicating Verb 33 Enter. At least, that is the current intention. Apparently there…
MIT’s digital computer facilities are still a problem
On April 12 at MIT we spent almost the whole morning discussing justification for and status of the IBM 360/75 computer installation they use for spacecraft computer program development. As of today, we haven’t really resolved the issue of whether or not we should retain that computer at MIT. On the other hand, I think…
Descent engine gimbal polarity error
A serious misunderstanding between MIT and Grumman resulted in a situation which would have been catastrophic to the AS-206 mission if it had not been discovered. Specifically, the direction the LM descent engine gimbals move when commanded by the spacecraft computer was opposite to the way they were supposed to. Upon discovery of this, Grumman…
Computer program requirements for AAP
On April 20 we had a meeting to assemble preliminary spacecraft computer program requirements for AAP missions 1 through 4. This is one step in the process of assembling a program requirements document needed to provide a basis for sensible contract negotiations with MIT and to provide a basis upon which MIT may proceed with…
Contract NAS 9-4065, Letter of Direction Concerning Program Development
This letter is to modify your contractual obligation to provide a unique spacecraft computer program for use on the first manned LM mission (formerly designated AS-208). This change in direction is brought about by the slip in the launch schedule for that mission, which makes it probable that sufficient time is available to complete the…
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….