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Author
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Topic: My personal Apollo story (Dan Schaiewitz)
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Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-19-2016 12:26 AM
   
One of my responsibilities as PLSS/OPS Mission Manager for all Apollo 11-17 missions was to write a weekly Summary Report for all crew training exercises. One report, in particular, that I vividly remember, documented the results of four (4) crew training exercises conducted the week of June 15, 1969 to June 21, 1969 (see my report below).The first on June 18th involved a Lunar Surface EVA with Armstrong and Aldrin. The second on June 20th involved a Post-EVA exercise with Apollo 11 backup astronauts Lovell and Haise in the morning and the third, a Pre-EVA exercise with Armstrong and Aldrin in the afternoon.
The fourth and last exercise for the week involved Armstrong and Aldrin on June 21st. I found the below photo with Armstrong related to the June 21st exercise. The second underlined sentence on Page 2 of the below memo, i.e. "The astronauts performed the feedwater collection procedure for the first time" relates to Armstrong performing the procedure on June 21, 1969 less than a month before liftoff.
As an aside, the "Feedwater Collection Procedure" involved collecting any remaining water in the PLSS feedwater reservoir tank. Using the amount of the remaining feedwater, a calculation could be made (using previous manned chamber PLSS testing that graphically plotted Astronaut Metabolic heat output vs feedwater usage) to determine the metabolic work load of both Armstrong and Aldrin after completion of their EVA. (The feedwater was used to cool the closed loop recirculated Liquid Cooling Garment (LCG) water and also cool the closed loop recirculated oxygen. The cooling was accomplished by the PLSS sublimator that allowed the feedwater to convert from water to ice then directly to gas as the heated LCG water and oxygen passed through the sublimator using the process of sublimation). To collect the remaining feedwater, the astronaut connected a "feedwater collection bag" (see photo below) to the PLSS water fill connector (also shown in photo below). With the remaining water in the bag, the bag was weighed, the weight was recorded by the crew and reported to cap-com. Can you imagine, how lucky I was to have had the incredible opportunity to be so intimately involved with every aspect of astronaut EVA training. Please pinch me!!  |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4021
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 05-20-2016 07:11 AM
The Apollo 11 Crew Training Summary I am looking at seems to have the EVA-related training sessions marked with a pen stroke, including the June 18, 20 and 21 dates mentioned above. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-20-2016 11:30 AM
Don't understand your post. Please elaborate. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4021
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 05-20-2016 12:34 PM
Not important. Just an observation that an annotated copy of the summary seems to be drawing attention to the dates of the EVA-related training, which is your area of expertise. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-20-2016 02:22 PM
In November of 1969 (not sure of the exact date), NASA CSD (Crew Systems Division) was asked if they would be willing to provide an Apollo suited subject to participate in a Brevard County movie theater premiere of the movie "Marooned." I do not remember the name of the theater, however, I seem to recall that it might have been the first Florida AMC theatre that opened in the fall of 1969.Myself and three other contractor representatives were there, not only to monitor the status of our suited subject (one of my techs that keep hinting at wanting to suit up), but also to answer questions from folks as they entered the theater (we were located in the lobby). Guess what question topped the list? You guessed it, i.e. "How did the astronauts go to the bathroom"? Of course, that question was from the mouths of inquisitive future astronauts!  |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-21-2016 02:07 PM
Why is astronaut Cernan about to drop money into a candy bowl at my Apollo 17 pre-launch party?When I planned the pre-launch party, I wanted to provide a subliminal morale boost for mission success. What better way to accomplish my objective than to collect money for an Apollo 17 Splashdown party assuring a positive outlook for the safe return of our astronauts and success of all mission objectives.  |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-22-2016 11:35 PM
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carmelo
Member Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 05-23-2016 12:42 PM
Dan, who was the astronaut more pleasant and funny that you have meet in your career? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-24-2016 01:40 AM
I'm not quite sure how to answer your question without labeling the astronauts. I'm sure there are many differing opinions. Following are mine: - Friendly: Duke
- Focused: Armstrong
- Intense: Aldrin
- Respected: Lovell
- Easy Going: Bean
- Sincere: Haise
- Sense of Humor: Shepard
- Outspoken: Conrad
- Confident: Young
- Conversationalist: Cernan
- Knowledgeable: Mitchell
- Modest: Schmitt
- Aloof: Scott
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carmelo
Member Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 05-24-2016 11:06 AM
Please Dan some memory about John Young. Thanks! |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-24-2016 10:41 PM
Dan, your brief descriptions of the Apollo LMP's? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-25-2016 12:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by carmelo:
Please Dan some memory about John Young.
As you know, John Young was involved in three Apollo missions, i.e. Apollo 13 as Backup CDR, Apollo 16 as CDR and Apollo 17 as Backup CDR.John Young was very confident as I previously suggested. John went about his EVA procedures with "robot" like execution. John very rarely asked questions as he was able to remember his tasks after his first exposure to them. John might have "cracked" a smile now and then but if he did I was not witness to it.
John's serious look as seen in the below photos was representative of John as I remember him. John was somewhat intimidating. If a mistake was made or John was not happy with something his "evil eye" look was all that was needed to express his displeasure. There really is not much more I can say about John Young other than his acceptance to the elite Astronaut "fraternity" and successful Gemini, Apollo and STS missions "says it all".  
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Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-25-2016 12:13 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Wehaveliftoff:
Dan, your brief descriptions of the Apollo LMP's?
Other than the one word adjectives I used to describe both the CDR and LMP's that I worked with, what specifically are you looking for? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-25-2016 11:42 AM
 |
mark plas
Member Posts: 385
From: the Netherlands
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-26-2016 01:41 AM
Dan, that picture of Young and Duke, are they wearing their flight suits? |
Spoon
Member Posts: 155
From: Cumbria, UK
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-26-2016 03:54 AM
Dan, firstly I would like to say "thank you" for your superb insider posts. They are incredibly informative and enlightening, and willing add my voice to the chorus of us encouraging you to put pen to paper in some form of autobiography.I was interested in your assessment of Dave Scott as "aloof." Would you say this was because he was so absorbed in his work, or is that an observation of him in general? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-26-2016 01:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mark plas:
Dan, that picture of Young and Duke, are they wearing their flight suits?
Yes Mark, the suits that Young and Duke are wearing are flight suits. The photo was taken on Feb. 2, 1972 prior to Apollo 16 April 16, 1972 liftoff (this is the first time I noticed that the launch date and mission number were the same!).The procedure the astronauts were executing is called the EMU CF2/EVA (EMU Crew Fit and Function for EVA). This test is conducted using flight hardware, including the suits, PLSS/OPS, everything you see on the table, etc. The purpose of the test is suggested by the title, Crew Fit and Function, where all components are "fit checked," i.e. PLSS hose connector to mating PGA connector and all components are "functionally checked," i.e. switches and warning flags on the RCU, helmet to PGA neck ring, etc. As the procedure progresses, problems are documented. Action items to resolve problems are generated by any of the participants of the CF2 procedure. Assignment of action item responsibility is given to the appropriate individual. Results of action taken are documented and later reported at an EMU CF2 Pre-Board Meeting. A few weeks before flight a final flight hardware EMU fit and function check is conducted to verify all CF2 action items (problems) have been resolved. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-26-2016 01:47 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spoon:
I was interested in your assessment of Dave Scott as "aloof."
Dave Scott was very absorbed in his work as were other astronauts. The "aloof" label I gave to Dave was based on my observation that he did not address anyone by name nor do I recall him ever verbally acknowledging anyone. However, I again must say that my impression is mine only. |
carmelo
Member Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 05-26-2016 05:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel on the Moon:
John went about his EVA procedures with "robot" like execution. John very rarely asked questions as he was able to remember his tasks after his first exposure to them.
But if I well remember, on the moon John tripped over a cable put out of order the ALSEP. So, nobody is perfect. The Apollo 13 back crew commander space suit was built "bespoke" for Young, or he dressed the suit of another astronaut? |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4021
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 05-26-2016 09:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel on the Moon:
The photo was taken on Feb. 2, 1972
It looks like your 05-03-2016 photo of Young and Duke may have been taken on the same day. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-27-2016 11:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Carmelo.
The Apollo 13 back crew commander space suit was built "bespoke" for Young, or he dressed the suit of another astronaut?
If you are referring to the Apollo 13 photo of Young as Apollo 13 back-up CDR, it appears that John is wearing his Apollo 10 CMP back-up suit (retro-fitted with duel inlet and outlet oxygen connectors) based on the blue helmet neck ring (Apollo 13 suits had red neck rings). He did, of course, have an Apollo 13 "flight" configuration suit "bespoke for him." |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3214
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 05-27-2016 12:29 PM
Daniel - given your amazing photo collection I wonder if in there somewhere you might have a shot of Gordon Cooper in an A7L suit during Apollo 10 training. I've only ever seen one poor image like that but just maybe there's a better one somewhere... |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-27-2016 01:26 PM
Dean, I was referring to Michael Collins apt description.... |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-27-2016 11:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
...a shot of Gordon Cooper in an A7L suit during Apollo 10 training.
Unfortunately I don't have a photo of Cooper in an A7L suit. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-28-2016 12:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Wehaveliftoff:
Dean, I was referring to Michael Collins apt description...
I did not work with Apollo 11 CMP Collins. My work was primarily with Apollo 11 through Apollo 17 Prime and Backup CDRs and LMPs.I did have limited exposure to CMPs Worden, Mattingly and Evans (Apollo 15, 16 and 17) as they used the OPS to retrieve the SIM Bay cassettes on the journey back from the moon (deep space EVA). No SIM Bay EVA cassette retrieval was required for Apollo 11, 12, 13, and 14 therefore I had no interaction with astronaut Collins. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3774
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 05-28-2016 07:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
...a shot of Gordon Cooper in an A7L suit during Apollo 10 training.
Here are two still frames from the Spacecraft Films DVD set: 
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drifting to the right
Member Posts: 165
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-28-2016 02:17 PM
Dan, thank you for sharing your experiences and insider's knowledge. Do you have any recollections regarding the A7L connector covers that overlay the chest fittings as seen during some training exercises, but not worn on the lunar surface? |
carmelo
Member Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 05-28-2016 06:49 PM
Dan, is true the story of Gordon Cooper sloppy work as commander of back crew of Apollo 10? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-28-2016 11:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by drifting to the right:
Do you have any recollections regarding the A7L connector covers that overlay the chest fittings as seen during some training exercises, but not worn on the lunar surface?
Am I to assume that your question refers to the covers shown in the EVA training photo #1 below?
Background: The most extensive changes to the PLSS were made to accommodate three seven (7) hour EVA's for Apollo 15, 16, and 17 (-7 PLSS configuration) vs. two five (5) hour EVA's for Apollo 11, 12, 13 and 14 (-6 PLSS configuration).Testing during development of the -7 PLSS, specifically thermo-vacuum qualification tests resulted in the addition of thermal "booties" (connector covers) on the PLSS Oxygen Inlet and Outlet Connectors (Photo #2 below). The change was made in order to prevent moisture from condensing on the inside of the gas connectors. Without the "booties", moisture could accumulate in the PLSS ventilation (oxygen) loop and cause fan performance to degrade (the fan circulated the oxygen). If we are on the "same page", the oxygen connector covers were worn on the moon during Apollo 15, 16 and 17 EVA's (Photo 3).  |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-28-2016 11:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by carmelo:
Dan, is true the story of Gordon Cooper sloppy work as commander of back crew of Apollo 10?
I am not familiar with the subject story. |
DG27
Member Posts: 271
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 05-29-2016 02:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel on the Moon:
If we are on the "same page", the oxygen connector covers were worn on the moon during Apollo 15, 16 and 17 EVA's (Photo 3).
Dan, once again, that is extremely interesting information and resolves questions regarding why the hose end connector covers showed up on the A7LB suits. Once again we are all indebted to you. However, I believe his question was on the large connector cover for the A7L suits as shown here. You and I talked about this off-line a while back and you have exactly the information needed to address why the connector cover was not used for flight. (There is a separate discussion about the cover in this thread.) Your information on this topic would be of great benefit to the collectSPACE community. |
drifting to the right
Member Posts: 165
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-29-2016 10:39 AM
Thanks, it is indeed the larger connector cover to which I refer. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 05-29-2016 06:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by drifting to the right:
Thanks, it is indeed the larger connector cover to which I refer.
Thank you for the clarification DG27. Below is the correct "connector cover" as you suggested. I do remember the analysis that I did when you asked the same question as "drifting to the right" as follows:  
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drifting to the right
Member Posts: 165
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 05-29-2016 08:14 PM
Wow, Dan! Thanks so much. |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-03-2016 10:58 PM
 |
carmelo
Member Posts: 1109
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-04-2016 10:25 AM
Is interesting the "change" of apparel of astronauts and technicians in very few years, from 1969 to 1971 circa.Before have a clean and sober look, after are much more colored, with big patterns, and more long hairs and sideburns! |
Michael Davis
Member Posts: 578
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 06-05-2016 06:04 PM
Dan, did the cardiac irregularities Jim Irwin experienced on Apollo 15 have any significant impact on training for the Apollo 16 and 17 crews? In your experience, were any additional precautions put into place? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-06-2016 02:31 PM
There were no additional precautions put into place for Apollo 16 and 17 EVA Crew Training at KSC.It might surprise you to note that if a crew member did in fact have underlying heart irregularities that could have been detected with continuous EKG monitoring (during EVA training), the irregularity(s) would "more likely" have been discovered if the astronauts had been wearing their Bio-Med belts with continuous EKG sensor monitoring. However, there was no requirement for the crew to wear their Bio-Med belt with Bio-Med sensor EKG data monitoring during EVA Crew Training! This always bothered me especially after reading the Apollo 15 Final Report with the reported heart irregularities. Heart irregularities would "more likely" have been discovered with EVA training EKG monitoring as EVA training required expending considerably more energy (compared to Lunar EVA activity) resulting in considerably greater metabolic load on the heart for the following reasons: - PLSS/OPS/PGA earth weight was 180 lbs. Lunar weight was 30 lbs. I can reduce the earth weight figure since we used lighter weight PLSS's called Cryopacks which reduced the EVA EMU Earth weight from 180 to 156 lbs vs. the 30 lb Lunar weight. Conclusion: 156 - 30 = 126 additional lbs = additional expendable energy with resulting increased metabolic load on the heart.
- Minimal suit cooling capability using EVA Crew Training Cryopacks relying on suit ventilation cryogenic air cooling rather than adequate PLSS LCG cooling since the PLSS cooling capability only functioned in a vacuum using the process of sublimation. Eventually, I did design a "kludged" cooling capability using melting ice circulated through the LCG, however, we were never able to equal the cooling capabilities of the PLSS sublimator. Minimal cooling capabilities in the Florida heat equated to increased metabolic load.
 As an aside, and not related to my responsibilities as EVA Crew Training Mission Manager, I do recall, that additional Potassium was recommended for the Apollo 16 and 17 crews in addition to anti-arrhythmia capsules being added to the astronauts' "Medical Accessary Kit." |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4021
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 06-06-2016 03:19 PM
Regarding the Apollo 9 EVA, the Program Summary Report has this: Based on the success of the Apollo 9 mission, the decision was made to perform extravehicular activities outside the spacecraft with two crewmen on the lunar surface. Originally, one crewman was to remain in the spacecraft while the other collected lunar samples. Not sure if the EVA in the original plan would have been by the CDR or the LMP. Dan, do you recall any one-man EVA training for Apollo 11? |
Daniel on the Moon
Member Posts: 354
From: Bronxville, NY
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-06-2016 03:37 PM
The only one-man EVA training for Apollo 11 was for a one-man "Contingency" EVA. |
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