As you know, I have been pushing to get the capability back into the command module computer program to compute CSI and CDH rendezvous maneuver targeting. The reason I consider this valuable is that with both VHF ranging and sextant data, the command module potentially has a better rendezvous guidance system than the LM. Thus,…
Spacecraft computer program status for AS-501
This memorandum is to give my impression of what went on during the meeting MIT on September 12, 1966, regarding the AS-501/502 spacecraft guidance computer program. Primarily I would like to describe the status of this program as we see it now….
C Prime Maneuver Monitoring Mission Techniques into cement
On November 2 we went over the C’ Maneuver Monitoring Mission Techniques for the last time – that is, we all hope and expect it’s “final.” Although, the detailed procedures will be documented elsewhere, I would like to describe the new things we established at this meeting. They deal primarily with overburn protection by manual…
G Rendezvous
In spite of the feverish activity we have on three swinging missions C, C’, and D, a few of us found a couple of minutes to spend on the G Rendezvous. Some things came out of it that are probably worth reporting:…
X-axis or z-axis for LM TPI?
This memo is in response to a question that came up at the October 21 D Rendezvous Mission Techniques meeting. The question was: What is the additional LM RCS propellant cost if we use the z-axis RCS translation rather than the x-axis for TPI? Chuck Pace checked with the MPAD Consumable people who figured the…
Landing point dispersions given communication loss in lunar orbit
During Chris Kraft’s staff meeting of July 17 there was a long discussion regarding the necessity of a beacon to help the recovery people find the spacecraft. It was pretty well concluded that it was not needed as long as we knew where the spacecraft landed to within several hundred miles. Of course, if the…
C’ Contingency Procedures – Draft Review
A review of the C’ Contingency Procedures Techniques Document is currently scheduled for October 22, 1968. Topics included are:…
Sixth Midcourse Phase Mission Techniques meeting
The Midcourse Phase Data Priority meeting of March 6 was devoted to the earth orbital phase evaluation of guidance systems to make the translunar injection (TLI) Go/No Go decision. It was reported at the outset that a new set of ground rules have been established with regard to this subject. They are:…
Invitation to DPS throttling for DOI meeting
This memo is to notify you of a long overdue meeting. Even I have been aware for at least a year and a half of the lack of definition of the spacecraft computer program requirements associated with throttling the descent propulsion system (DPS). During that time we have gone through a whole series of program…
Average g
During a discussion about reentry at lunar return velocities the other day, the question came up as to when it was okay to turn on Average g. There was some reason for wanting to do this about one-half hour before arrival at 400,000 feet altitude. We all recognized the inaccuracy which results from accelerometer bias,…