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At least 127 records · Page 7

Apollo experience report: Flight-control data needs, terminal display devices, and ground system configuration requirements

The development of flight-control facilities for the Apollo program is reviewed from the viewpoint of the user organization. These facilities are treated in three categories: data systems, ground-based display and control systems, and configuration management. The effects of certain Apollo program factors on the selection, sizing, and configuration management of these systems are discussed. Recommendations are made regarding improvement of the systems and the reduction of system sensitivity to the program factors.

Hoover, R. A.↗

Apollo experience report: Test and checkout

The problem areas encountered during the development of the acceptance testing and preflight checkout requirements and procedures for Apollo spacecraft are discussed. Recommendations are given for cases in which methods used in the Apollo program are considered to apply to future space flight programs.

Mechelay, J. E.↗

Apollo experience report: Food systems

Development, delivery, and use of food systems in support of the Apollo 7 to 14 missions are discussed. Changes in design criteria for this unique program as mission requirements varied are traced from the baseline system that was established before the completion of the Gemini Program. Problems and progress in subsystem management, material selection, food packaging, development of new food items, menu design, and food-consumption methods under zero-gravity conditions are described. The effectiveness of various approaches in meeting food system objectives of providing flight crews with safe, nutritious, easy to prepare, and highly acceptable foods is considered. Nutritional quality and adequacy in maintaining crew health are discussed in relation to the establishment of nutritional criteria for future missions. Technological advances that have resulted from the design of separate food systems for the command module, the lunar module, The Mobile Quarantine Facility, and the Lunar Receiving Laboratory are presented for application to future manned spacecraft and to unique populations in earthbound situations.

Smith, M. C., Jr.↗

Apollo experience report: Spacecraft structure subsystem

The flightworthiness of the Apollo spacecraft structure was verified primarily through a rigorous, vehicle level, ground test program and flight tests. The failures and anomalies encountered during this testing were the major factors considered in determining necessary modifications to the basic design of the spacecraft structure. In this report, these failures, their causes, and their resolutions are discussed. A description of the spacecraft structure and discussions of the ground and flight test programs are presented.

Smith, P. D.↗

Apollo experience report: The role of flight mission rules in mission preparation and conduct

The development of flight mission rules from the mission development phase through the detailed mission-planning phase and through the testing and training phase is analyzed. The procedure for review of the rules and the coordination requirements for mission-rule development are presented. The application of the rules to real-time decision making is outlined, and consideration is given to the benefit of training ground controllers and flightcrews in the methods of determining the best response to a nonnominal in-flight situation for which no action has been preplanned. The Flight Mission Rules document is discussed in terms of the purpose and objective thereof and in terms of the definition, the development, and the use of mission rules.

Keyser, L. W.↗

Apollo experience report: Guidance and control systems: Command and service module entry monitor subsystem

The conceptual aspects of the command and service module entry monitor subsystem, together with an interpretation of the displays and their associated relationship to entry trajectory control, are presented. The entry monitor subsystem is described, and the problems encountered during the developmental phase and the first five manned Apollo flights are discussed in conjunction with the design improvements implemented.

Reina, B., Jr.↗

Apollo experience report: Assessment of metabolic expenditures

A significant effort was made to assess the metabolic expenditure for extravehicular activity on the lunar surface. After evaluation of the real-time data available to the flight controller during extravehicular activity, three independent methods of metabolic assessment were chosen based on the relationship between heart rate and metabolic production, between oxygen consumption and metabolic production, and between the thermodynamics of the liquid-cooled garment and metabolic production. The metabolic assessment procedure is analyzed and discussed. Real-time use of this information by the Apollo flight surgeon is discussed. Results and analyses of the Apollo missions and comments concerning future applications are included.

Waligora, J. M.↗

Apollo experience report: The AN/ARD-17 direction finding system

This report contains a statement of the operational philosophy and requirements leading to the development of the AN/ARD-17 direction-finding system. The technical problems encountered and the solutions devised in the AN/ARD-17 development are discussed. An evaluation of the system under actual operational conditions is included.

Chase, W. R.↗

Apollo experience report: Electrical wiring subsystem

The general requirements of the electrical wiring subsystems and the problem areas and solutions that occurred during the major part of the Apollo Program are detailed in this report. The concepts and definitions of specific requirements for electrical wiring; wire-connecting devices; and wire-harness fabrication, checkout, and installation techniques are discussed. The design and development of electrical wiring and wire-connecting devices are described. Mission performance is discussed, and conclusions and recommendations for future programs are presented.

White, L. D.↗

Apollo experience report: Spacecraft relative motion and recontact analyses

Potential collision or accidental recontact problems between the spacecraft and other space vehicles (or components) existed during most of the Apollo missions. These problems were identified before each Apollo flight, and appropriate solutions for eliminating or minimizing the chance of collision were determined through relative motion analyses. A summary of the identification, solution, and analysis process for some of the more significant of these separation problems is presented. In addition, the scope of responsibility, the development of the study effort, and the computer simulation development, which supported the analysis process, are described.

Mcadams, R. E.↗

Apollo experience report: Guidance and control systems; lunar module mission programer

A review of the concept, operational requirements, design, and development of the lunar module mission programer is presented, followed by a review of component and subsystem performance during design-feasibility, design-verification, and qualification tests performed in the laboratory. The system was further proved on the unmanned Apollo 5 mission. Several anomalies were detected, and satisfactory solutions were found. These problems are defined and examined, and the corrective action taken is discussed. Suggestions are given for procedural changes to be used if future guidance and control systems of this type are to be developed.

Vernon, J. A.↗

Apollo experience report: Command and service module sequential events control subsystem

The Apollo command and service module sequential events control subsystem is described, with particular emphasis on the major systems and component problems and solutions. The subsystem requirements, design, and development and the test and flight history of the hardware are discussed. Recommendations to avoid similar problems on future programs are outlined.

Johnson, G. W.↗

Apollo experience report: Guidance and control systems: CSM service propulsion system gimbal actuators

The service propulsion system gimbal actuators of the Apollo command and service module were developed, modified, and qualified between February 1962 and April 1968. The development of these actuators is described as the result of extensive testing, retesting, and modification of the initial design. Successful completion of each mission without anomalies attributable to the actuators indicated that the particular configuration (modification) in use was adequate for the flight profile imposed.

Mcmahon, W. A.↗

Apollo experience report: Flight anomaly resolution

The identification of flight anomalies, the determination of their causes, and the approaches taken for corrective action are described. Interrelationships of the broad range of disciplines involved with the complex systems and the team concept employed to ensure timely and accurate resolution of anomalies are discussed. The documentation techniques and the techniques for management of anomaly resolution are included. Examples of specific anomalies are presented in the original form of their progressive documentation. Flight anomaly resolution functioned as a part of the real-time mission support and postflight testing, and results were included in the postflight documentation.

Lobb, J. D.↗

Apollo experience report: Guidance and control systems. Mission control programmer for unmanned missions AS-202, Apollo 4, and Apollo 6

An unmanned test flight program required to evaluate the command module heat shield and the structural integrity of the command and service module/Saturn launch vehicle is described. The mission control programer was developed to provide the unmanned interface between the guidance and navigation computer and the other spacecraft systems for mission event sequencing and real-time ground control during missions AS-202, Apollo 4, and Apollo 6. The development of this unmanned programer is traced from the initial concept through the flight test phase. Detailed discussions of hardware development problems are given with the resulting solutions. The mission control programer functioned correctly without any flight anomalies for all missions. The Apollo 4 mission control programer was reused for the Apollo 6 flight, thus being one of the first subsystems to be reflown on an Apollo space flight.

Holloway, G. F.↗

Apollo experience report: Engineering and analysis mission support

The tasks performed by the team of specialists that evaluated hardware performance during prelaunch checkout and in-flight operation are discussed. The organizational structure, operational procedures, and interfaces as well as the facilities and software required to perform these tasks are discussed. The scope of the service performed by the team and the evaluation philosophy are described. Summaries of problems and their resolution are included as appendixes.

Fricke, R. W., Jr.↗