In order to get a little bit more orderly in our conduct of the Trajectory Control Data Priority business, it’s evident that we must schedule meetings on a pre-established, periodic basis. Accordingly, the Ascent and Descent meetings will take place on alternate Tuesday afternoons; Rendezvous meetings will be held of Wednesdays, one mission in the…
Month: October 1967
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…
About frequency of LM radar observations
I learned something the other day about how the LM computer uses rendezvous radar data that is different than I thought. It had been my understanding, and I think most other people’s too, that rendezvous radar observations were obtained and processed by the computer every 60 seconds. In fact, there has been some concern that…
Spacecraft computer program status
Here’s another of my irregular updates on what’s going on in the business of spacecraft computer program development….
There will be no manual input of range data capability in spacecraft rendezvous navigation
During the week of October 2 A group of MCC and MIT people completely defined the lunar landing command module and LM programs in “GSOP Chapter 4” format including all the crew required rendezvous program modifications and GSOP review open items. This note is to inform you of one of the basic decisions reached during…
Some things about the Descent Propulsion system as controlled by the LGC
I guess I would have realized this if I had thought about it, but it was a surprise to me (and others) to learn that the Descent Propulsion System (DPS) engine in the LM is not aligned through the cg prior to ignition. I suppose I had assumed that it would be handled the same…
Spacecraft computer program development improvements to be utilized by MIT
Just for the record, I would like to record a list of program development improvement ideas which MIT plans to incorporate. This list was gleaned from discussions by Ed Copps, Fred Martin and Alex Kosmala during the week of October 2, 1967….
K-start tape briefing
George Low had his monthly briefing by G&C yesterday, October 16, a part of which I attended. One subject reviewed for him was the development of K-start tapes for the spacecraft computers. They especially addressed the definition, scheduling, checking and actual manufacture of the K-start tapes required for guidance system testing at AC (for acceptance),…
First meeting of the Ascent Phase Mission Techniques Working Group
This memo is in confirmation of our telephone conversation requesting your participation in a continuing working group to discuss the Ascent phase of the lunar landing mission. The overall composition of this Ascent Phase Mission Techniques Working Group is as follows:…
Descent phase to be added to your Apollo Mission Techniques document
TRW recently completed the attached chapter to be added into the appropriate vacancy in the Apollo Mission Techniques document I sent you recently. As was the case for the other mission phases, this section on Descent was done essentially without participation by other than TRW personnel. Accordingly, I expect it will be modified substantially before…