|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Apollo 13: Lunar or service module in front?
|
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1940
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 12-02-2018 07:52 PM
   
I have a pretty simple question that I'm just not sure about: when the Apollo 13 spacecraft came back around the moon, was the lunar module or service module in front? Obviously the LM had to be in back at some point about then for the descent engine to power them towards Earth, but when was that turn done? Most graphics online (and the movie, which I know wasn't a documentary) show the LM in front as they start going around the moon. |
Andy Anderson
Member Posts: 87
From: Perth, Australia
Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 12-02-2018 11:27 PM
From the Mission Operations Report, at 79.17 hours into the mission as the spacecraft came around the moon (approximately 1 hr 44 mins after communications were regained after LOS behind the moon), it was maneuvered into the attitude prior to completing the PC+2 burn to accelerate the return to earth, meaning the DPS engine was aligned to provide a trajectory to send the stack out in front of the earth to intercept the atmosphere for re-entry.The burn was initiated 10 minutes later. This diagram, while not completely accurate, indicates where this occurred.  This is the view that the astronauts had out of the LEM windows with the Lunar Module roughly facing in the direction of the moon with the DPS engine below them.
(NASA MSC-02500 - Views From The Returning Apollo 13 Spacecraft); 
| |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
