|
Author
|
Topic: Apollo Block II command module windows
|
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4468
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-15-2010 07:10 PM
   
Left hand outer rendezvous and observation window panes of Corning amorphous-fused silica (SiO2). These thick outer panes extended contiguous thermal protection to the command module window assemblies (where ablator could not applied). First image shows the outboard (side to the space environment), coated with Magnesium Fluoride (MgF2) for rejection of Ultraviolet; second/third images of the Observation/Rendezvous windows respectively (Rendezvous window inboard side up with iridescent Red/Blue spectral rejection coating) under micrometer measurements of .7 inches. Each of the windows also had affiliated inner double .20-.25 thick inch panes as part of the overall assembly (as did the hatch window). The asymmetrically shaped rendezvous window pane, because it was installed canted with respect to the spacecraft bulkhead, has angled/beveled edges.  
------------------
Scott Schneeweis, LCDR, USN(Ret);
SPACEAHOLIC.com |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1934
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 07-15-2010 07:59 PM
Too cool. If you are going to put them on display, may I suggest a set-up in which one looks through the rendezvous window at a photo just behind it of the LM above the moon. |
dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 07-15-2010 09:54 PM
Where did you find these? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4468
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-15-2010 10:35 PM
The Observation window was sourced from the LA area (it came directly out of North American Rockwell at the conclusion of the program); Rendezvous (originally mis-id'd as a Gemini window on eBay) from a former Corning employee in your home state (N.Y.) |
DMScott
Member Posts: 355
From: Lexington, MA, USA
Registered: Dec 2005
|
posted 07-16-2010 03:29 AM
Looks great Scott. Congrats. As you know, I've got an Apollo CM window too. I'm STILL working on the display which will be along the lines of what Steve (stsmithva) is suggesting. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 07-16-2010 07:42 AM
Beautiful Scott. Congrats!I understand the CM and parachute display is in your basement - but what's the fridge thing beside it for? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4468
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-16-2010 07:54 AM
That would most likely be the LM simulator adjacent to the CM (I think) back before they repositioned Casper to the Davidson center. |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 494
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 12-11-2011 05:11 PM
Does anyone know the measurements of the windows of the command module? Thank you for your help!Editor's note: Threads merged. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4468
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-11-2011 08:09 PM
One would think its a very simple question but alas not so. Both the Observation and Rendezvous windows are complex trapezoids with curvature and the Rendezvous window also has different internal (facing) and external dimensions. I can relate the approximate measurements but also the true visual aperture will be smaller when installed - these are the measurements corresponding to the outer panes, the inner panes were smaller. Observation outer pane ~ 14.6 inches x 14.5 sides tapering to 12 inches at the "top". Rendezvous window approximate measurements are denoted in the following image:  |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 494
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
|
posted 12-12-2011 05:46 AM
The indicative measurements are very useful, the CM that we are building will not go to the Moon, but will remain on Earth. Thanks for help!Please you can send me the measurements of the hatch glass? Thanks. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4468
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-12-2011 06:58 AM
The internal round hatch window had a visual aperture of approximately 10.6 inches. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1322
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
|
posted 02-08-2020 07:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
The internal round hatch window...
I would love to hear the story of the hatch window being round on the inside and square on the outside. |
advertisement