LM hatch during moonwalks: Open or closed? - collectSPACE: Messages

Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

collectSPACE: Messages

Mercury - Gemini - Apollo

LM hatch during moonwalks: Open or closed?

profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: LM hatch during moonwalks: Open or closed?
moorouge Member Posts: 2458 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009	posted 05-28-2010 12:59 PM I've just been watching a short film about an astronaut who locked himself out of the lunar module (LM) by forgetting to bring the key with him. It raises a question - when out on EVAs did the moonwalkers leave the hatch wide open or did they pull it shut?
Spacefest Member Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009	posted 05-28-2010 01:13 PM KEY!? ROFL! Afraid someone will steal it? I believe that was a joking remark made by Armstrong to Aldrin as the descended from the "porch." I'm sure the LM hatch was closed, but I don't see a reason for a lock.
mikej Member Posts: 481 From: Germantown, WI USA Registered: Jan 2004	posted 05-28-2010 01:56 PM Actually Armstrong and Aldrin joked about this very topic during egress: Aldrin: Okay. Now I want to back up and partially close the hatch. (Long Pause) Making sure not to lock it on my way out. Armstrong: (Laughs) A particularly good thought. The ALSJ goes on to say that the hatch can be opened from the outside.
Henk Boshuijer Member Posts: 451 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007	posted 05-28-2010 05:18 PM Aldrin also talks about this in his book "Magnificent Desolation".
Lou Chinal Member Posts: 1332 From: Staten Island, NY Registered: Jun 2007	posted 05-28-2010 07:39 PM The hatch was partially closed for thermostability.
alanh_7 Member Posts: 1252 From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Registered: Apr 2008	posted 05-28-2010 08:23 PM Photos taken by Pete Conrad of Alan Bean coming down the ladder show the hatch closed.
ilbasso Member Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006	posted 05-28-2010 11:40 PM There was a piece of foil that could be peeled off from the outside to reveal a handle in case the hatch accidentally locked.
moorouge Member Posts: 2458 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009	posted 05-29-2010 04:36 AM quote: Originally posted by ilbasso: There was a piece of foil that could be peeled off from the outside to reveal a handle in case the hatch accidentally locked. What possible reason could they have for covering up a handle? Surely not to improve the aerodynamics!
Max Q Member Posts: 399 From: Whyalla South Australia Registered: Mar 2007	posted 05-29-2010 05:08 AM quote: Originally posted by moorouge: What possible reason could they have for covering up a handle? Surely not to improve the aerodynamics! Thermodynamics maybe
uk spacefan Member Posts: 168 From: London Registered: Jan 2007	posted 05-29-2010 06:27 AM I find it incredible that of all the things the astronauts had to check before a moonwalk, not forgetting to bring the key to the LEM was one of them!! Was NASA really expecting little green men to wander into the LEM and blast off in it?
music_space Member Posts: 1179 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001	posted 05-30-2010 10:18 PM Here are two sources where you may find your answers: Clavius: Lunar Module Doors Astronautica: CSM Hatch
Spacefest Member Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009	posted 05-30-2010 10:56 PM One Small Mistake... by Chris Butler

All times are CT (US)	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.

Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a

advertisement