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Author
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Topic: Apollo 13 lunar module Aquarius artifacts
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prastila
Member Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 08-05-2019 02:31 PM
  
I am intrigued by the Apollo 13 story. I am a bit perplexed by the lunar module artefacts. Is it that the astronauts took souvenirs before ditching the lunar module and returning back to earth? What are the artefacts out there available for collecting? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4507
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-05-2019 04:53 PM
Some items were transferred to offset loss of mass associated with non-return of lunar samples/containers. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43624
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-05-2019 04:53 PM
To elaborate on what Scott wrote, the Apollo 13 crew did move items from the lunar module to the command module, but it was not solely for souvenirs (though that is what some of the items ultimately became).The command module's guidance computer had been pre-programmed to expect an additional hundred pounds or so of moon rock to be aboard at the time of re-entry. To compensate, Mission Control called up a revised entry stowage list that made up for the missing mass. All right, we want you to carry over the two 70 millimeter Hasselblad cameras, the black and white TV camera, all 16 millimeter and 70 millimeter exposed film, the LEM data recorder, extra oxygen hoses, extra oxygen screen caps, the waste management system, chute and the LEM flight data file. Other lunar module-stowed items that returned to Earth were Jim Lovell's LEVA (helmet visor assembly) and EVA gloves, equipment netting and the replacement plaque that Lovell and Fred Haise would have used to correct the plaque on Aquarius' forward leg (the one that was installed on the leg still had Ken Mattingly's name).With regards to what is available to collect, there are the lunar module items that have come out of Lovell's and Haise's collections (mostly at auctions, including some consigned by other astronauts who were gifted the items by the Apollo 13 crew), as well as samples of the lunar module netting that were mounted to cards and presented to NASA employees who helped bring the crew home safely. |
Tom Dahl
Member Posts: 33
From: MA, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-05-2019 05:55 PM
For what it's worth, on July 20 this year I visited the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island NY, and I noticed that they have on exhibit an arm rest that was labeled as having been removed from the Apollo 13 LM prior to jettison. |
prastila
Member Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 08-06-2019 12:45 AM
Thank you very much for the amazing info. I now remember reading somewhere, though not sure if my memory is correct, that the centre of gravity of the command module was crucial for keeping the blunt heat shield facing downwards. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43624
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-16-2020 12:00 AM
collectSPACE How souvenirs standing in for moon rocks helped save Apollo 13 fifty years agoAfter the oxygen tank exploded, after looping around the moon and the course correction that put them back on the right path to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts still had a problem. Missing moon rocks. Fifty years ago today (April 16), as Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert began preparing their command module, "Odyssey," to enter Earth's atmosphere, the fact that Apollo 13 did not land on the moon became a new concern.  |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3331
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-16-2020 07:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Other lunar module-stowed items...
The Apollo 13 stowage list seems to indicate that the LM replacement plaque with Swigert's name on it was located in compartment A8 in the command module on launch day.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43624
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-16-2020 09:22 AM
Yes, that's correct (though under a nominal mission, the plaque would have been transferred to the lunar module before the landing, so it can also be considered a LM stowage item, too. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3331
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-16-2020 09:35 AM
It should be on the original "CM-LM Transfer List" but that list does not seem to be available on-line. |
Andy Anderson
Member Posts: 88
From: Perth, Australia
Registered: Dec 2009
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posted 04-18-2020 12:31 AM
Looking through my files, so far I have found these pages in relation to moving items but nothing specific about the plaque unless it was in the "Flag Kit" which went into A8.In relation to relocating items back to the CM, one item seemed to catch Fred's attention; at page 674 of the Air To Ground Transcript: 05 08 49 49 CC Roger. Next. The LMP should transfer to the CM05 08 50 12 LMP Okay. I'll underline that one. LMP transfer to CM. 05 08 50 17 CC Don't let them forget you. From the LM Activation Checklist: From the flown Flight Plan - this note:  And from the Revised Stowage list read up to the crew prior to re-entry;  |
space1
Member Posts: 864
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 04-19-2020 07:13 AM
Entry Stowage, CM to LM: "4) (4) LiOH Can (Units used in LM)"I'm surprised they would leave the 4 CM LiOH canisters in the LM if they were trying to add weight to the CM to compensate for the lack of moon rocks. This would actually reduce the weight of the CM. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3331
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-19-2020 07:30 AM
Odd that the LM replacement plaque would not show up on either the TLC (shown above) or PDI CSM to LM transfer lists. The latter has some hand-written additions that do not include the plaque. |
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