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Author
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Topic: Lunar Module: Late access, atop Saturn V
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compass
Member Posts: 42
From: uk
Registered: May 2007
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posted 11-25-2009 09:49 AM
  
Was it possible for personnel, back up crew, technicians, etc., to board the lunar module when it was part of the Saturn V stack in the days and weeks prior to launch? How long, days/weeks that is, prior to lift off was the LM in the 'stack' and garaged so to speak behind the CSM? When was the latest point in time engineers, technicians, back up crews, etc. were present inside the LM before launch? |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 11-25-2009 11:33 AM
There was access to the LM within the SLA (Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter) right up until launch day. I remember reading somewhere that the US flag was attached to Eagle's leg early in the morning of July 16! |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 11-25-2009 11:34 AM
There were numerous work platforms and various ladders which allowed access to the lunar module while it was in the SLA; SLA Egress Hazards and Provisions contains photos and diagrams.As far as being inside the LM itself, if you look at the press kits from any lunar mission, there will be an "LM stowage and cabin closeout" item in the countdown highlights; this usually takes place between about T-27 and T-15 hours (although some missions are T-31 through T-18). I assume this is when the LM closeout pictures (e.g., on Eric Hartwell's site; scroll down to see some of the closeout pictures) are taken (I couldn't find references to any of those photo numbers anywhere else on the Internet, to determine the dates on which they were taken). |
Apolloman
Member Posts: 152
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 11-25-2009 01:07 PM
Excuse me, but what these platforms, these scaffolds and ladders those who are in the SLA are removed before takeoff. |
Apolloman
Member Posts: 152
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 12-04-2009 04:38 AM
I have just met the enormity of my question... Of course that these bridges are removed before launch, I wanted to write: Is when? when the countdown? |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 12-07-2009 07:27 PM
Just came across this photo, the caption for which reads: Ken Crow attaches the Apollo 16 stainless-steel plaque on the ladder strut. He is lying on a service platform inside the adapter stage atop the Saturn V on the pad. The service platform will be removed prior to launch. It doesn't tell the timing, but you get a feel for what it looks like inside the SLA. |
compass
Member Posts: 42
From: uk
Registered: May 2007
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posted 12-13-2009 01:48 PM
That sure is a great photograph, thanks for that. Gives you some idea of just how crowded it was inside the S-IVB 'garage' with the LM folded and stowed prior to launch. Absolutely no excess space- the LM was shoe-horned in there. |
RocketmanRob
Member Posts: 269
From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-19-2009 12:51 PM
This past July on the anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing a few cS'ers had the opportunity to spend the day at the Cradle of Aviation Museum and met a number of the Grumman workers who had been assigned to the LM both in Bethpage and at KSC. One of the workers talked about having access to the LM to complete some work a day or so prior to the launch of Apollo 11. He said that they fairly regularly needed access to make last minute adjustments to the LM prior to launch for all of the missions. He mentioned that on this late evening he was working with a partner in side of the area on the Saturn V where the LM was stored and heard someone around the area of the access hatch, looked, and saw that it was Neil Armstrong having a final look at Eagle. They had strict instructions not to talk to or bother any of the astronauts, so he simply nodded to Neil with the intent of wishing him good luck. Neil gave them a similar nod back that he took as a "thank you." It was great to hear some of these stories from the guys who lived it. |
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