I have been delinquent and I apologize for not sending this note around sooner. About a month ago I learned in a discussion with Joe Loftus that it is his recommendation, apparently based on considerable analysis and review, that the acceptable sun-angle-at-lunar-landing boundaries should be revised. As I understand it, the old sun elevation angle…
Year: 1968
First 2 hours on the moon is a countdown to launch – simulated or real thing.
Those who participated in the STAC presentation already know this, but perhaps some of you, like me, had not heard. It is currently proposed that on the lunar landing mission the first two hours on the lunar surface will be devoted to spacecraft systems checks and launch preparations which, for all practical purposes, simulates the…
AGS/PNGCS incompatability review – Chapter One
At the January 8 meeting of your CCB I was given the action item of reviewing AGS SCP’s Nos. 34 and 35. Specifically, I was to determine our position on the advisability of making these changes which you tentatively approved at that meeting, and, in particular, we are to satisfy ourselves that the AGS and…
Odds and ends about lunar landmark tracking
This memo is just to pass on some numbers which I found interesting when reviewing the lunar landmark orbit determination procedures. It is not intended as an argument “for” or “against” using landmark tracking by the command module for navigation….
Some thoughts about Lunar Ascent procedures
Charley, please excuse this memo. It’s to help me remember and let some others know what we’re considering….
Crew familiarization and training for TLI
During our many discussions on the need for command module steering of the S-IVB during TLI, a potential crew familiarization. training problem became apparent. Specifically, even if the P-15 CSM TLI Steering is retained, it is not obvious that it will be possible to make the AMS faithfully reproduce the attitude excursions which may be…
Latest on TLI
It looks like all we need now is Headquarter’s concurrence to eliminate command module steering of the S-IVB during the TLI maneuver. Unbeknownst to me, MIT was directed to stop work on this program (P-15) shortly before Christmas. They estimated that P-15 would become pacing if they did not start working again by January 15…
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…
LTA-8 lunar countdown tests not needed soon
This memo is to close the loop on at item brought up in a memo from Myron Kayton to me (EG21-M-51-67, dated December 29) regarding a lunar countdown timeline test on the LTA-8. You sent your copy to me stamped “action.” I reviewed this business with Myron and some other people. The most important point…
External Delta V for LOI
In a December 15 memo (67-PA-T-121A), I indicated that we were going to perform LOI using two maneuvers. I also stated that pending results of some studies then underway we expected to use the External Delta V guidance mode for these maneuvers rather than Lambert steering. The primary reason for doing this was to make…