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Author Topic:   The Return of the Apollo CSM?
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 10782
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted May 01, 2003 08:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A small team (including Vance Brand and John Young) was chartered by NASA to make a top-level assessment of the viability of using the Apollo Command and Service Modules the basis for a Crew Return Vehicle, and potentially for a Crew Transfer Vehicle, for the International Space Station. This assessment was conducted 13-14 March 2003.
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=9031

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John K. Rochester
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Posts: 1213
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted May 01, 2003 08:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for John K. Rochester   Click Here to Email John K. Rochester     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That would be terrific if Apollo could fly again..!! ( and take a paying passenger!)

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tegwilym
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Posts: 1648
From: Renton, WA USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted May 01, 2003 01:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Back in the Skylab days, they used to have plans for a crew of 2 to go up there and sardine the 3 others in the CSM. Sounds like a good idea if you ask me!
They could carry a six-pack of CMDs up there in the shuttle bay if needed.


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Ham
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Posts: 25
From:
Registered: Aug 2001

posted May 01, 2003 01:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ham     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just for curiosity. Can Apollo CSM fit into cargo bay of the shuttle?

Ham

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collectSPACE Admin
Administrator

Posts: 188
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted May 01, 2003 06:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for collectSPACE Admin   Click Here to Email collectSPACE Admin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Posted by request:

It's amazing that what was once old is new again! In the 1980's when the Monogram 1/32 scale Apollo Command and service module was out of production, I got a call from the Rockwell Public affairs office, in Downey - they said that they needed a kit to modify and use in development for the 1980's space station version. I recieved a little briefing and some photos in trade for the kit.

That proposal called for a shortened service module, as it was not going to need all that propellant- with no radiators, and the different docking system in the nose- otherwise it appeared very much like the spacecraft that we all know!

Bet Boeing is looking at those plans now!
 
P.S. My data says that 12 feet,10 inches in Diameter, it could not fit in the Shuttle bay as it was.

But perhaps sideways- 10 feet, 7 inches" it could be attached to the S.M. with the RMS- this was a consideration, I remember!!!
 
Jim Busby

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divemaster
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Posts: 732
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted May 01, 2003 08:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Maybe it's time to resurrect a couple of S1b's. It had a 100% success record.

Von Braun must be chuckling in his grave.

LC34, here we come.

-tracy

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Ben
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Posts: 1687
From: Daytona Beach, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted May 01, 2003 10:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ben   Click Here to Email Ben     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My guess is, that should this idea be implemented, the plan would be to launch the CSM on an Atlas 5 or Delta 4, which was going to be the launcher for the OSP in the initial design.

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Philip
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Posts: 3220
From: Brussels, BELGIUM
Registered: Jan 2001

posted May 05, 2003 02:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Returning by Apollo-type capsule (CSM or call it what You want) isn't the most elegant way to return to Earth, but certainly the cheapest way !

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Aztecdoug
Member

Posts: 1098
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000

posted May 05, 2003 10:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aztecdoug   Click Here to Email Aztecdoug     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am curious. Would it land in the water like the good old days? I imagine that option would require a lot of sea power.

------------------
Warm Regards

Douglas Henry

Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby!

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spaceuk
Member

Posts: 2112
From: Staffs,UK
Registered: Aug 2002

posted May 05, 2003 10:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ESA went a long way down the R&D path with the Apollo-style CRV for the ISS

I think its a still viable program within ESA ?

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