posted 06-17-2016 10:00 PM               

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Originally posted by mark plas:
Do you have more preflight pictures of spacesuit, RCUs or PLSSs?

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Originally posted by Buel:
By any chance did you work with 'Dutch' von Ehrenfried?

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posted 06-18-2016 08:30 AM               

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Originally posted by Daniel on the Moon:
They tried it and subsequently "insisted" that Gatorade on ice was available during EVA training sessions.

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posted 06-18-2016 11:01 AM               

Dan, you mentioned its use from Apollo 12 onward - was it a specific member of the Apollo 12 crew who first introduced its use?

posted 06-19-2016 03:55 PM               

Training outdoors in Houston as well as Cape Canaveral, considering the heat related climate, resulted in a "thirst quenching" EVA environment. Also, keep in mind that the LCG's were not worn for cooling till Apollo 14 Crew Training.

The "outdoor" KSC EVA training "rock pile" was first used for Apollo 13 EVA training.

Indoor EVA training at KSC began the first week of June 1969 with the Apollo 11 Prime and Backup Crews. All Apollo 11 and 12 KSC EVA training was therefore conducted indoors.

posted 06-20-2016 11:43 AM               

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I have seen photos of Fred Haise EVA training at KSC with his visor up. One image in particular (taken I presume at the conclusion of the training judging by the relaxed smiling expression) shows his comms carried sodden with sweat.

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There is a widespread belief that the PLSSs used during EVA crew training were functionally identical to the flight PLSS. That is not the case. The only similarity the training PLSSs had to the flight PLSS was identical envelope dimensions and connector compatibility with the suit.

The training PLSSs had no cooling capability other than cryogenic air circulating through the PGA from the PGA Inlet Connector to PGA outlet through the PGA Purge Valve.

posted 06-20-2016 11:52 AM               

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Originally posted by mark plas:
I meant pictures of flight suits and flight hardware documented.

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posted 06-21-2016 02:35 PM               

In the below photo, you can see the entrance to the apt. with the door open suggesting an "open invitation" to walk in.

Below is a photo of Al Shepard smiling and having a great time. Al, to my surprise, at one of the parties asked me why I didn't have a photo of him in any of my rooms, i.e. not one in the kitchen, not one in the living room, and especially not one in the bedroom! I had no idea what he was thinking until he said (not an exact quote), how do expect to get girls into your bedroom without a picture of me on your wall!

posted 06-21-2016 10:20 PM               

Dr. Tubbs knew Dr. Robert Cade and the researchers at the University of Florida who were working on Gatorade in 1965/66. Tubbs believed in the product, arranged for patenting and trademarking, and became a director of Gatorade Inc. shortly before the agreement with Stokely-Van Camp to produce Gatorade - The Professional Thirst Quencher.

posted 06-25-2016 05:24 PM               

In the photo of Jim Irwin, a high nutrient density food stick appears to be visible beside the suit neck drink valve, as in this photo of Gene Cernan.

Dan, do you know if the food sticks consumed during Apollo 15-17 J mission lunar EVAs were those jointly developed by NASA/USAF/ Pillsbury Co. and made commercially available as Space Food Sticks? Were they basically the same product?

posted 06-26-2016 12:20 PM               

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Originally posted by YankeeClipper:
The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal indicates Dan is positioned behind Dave Scott - is that correct?

Dan, do you know if the food sticks ... were basically the same product?

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posted 06-26-2016 10:12 PM               

One such lecture was at the Miami Lions Club. I will remember this occasion for more than one reason as I illuminate below.

posted 06-29-2016 02:24 AM               

One such time was being on a list of only 43 individuals that were permitted to have personal contact with prime and backup crew members 21 days before flight during implementation of the "Flight Crew Health Stabilization Program."

Stated in the Flight Crew Health Stabilization document, "Flight and Backup crews contact with KSC personnel will be 'limited to absolute minimum Mission Essential Personnel' called Primary Contacts."

Imagine, at the height of the Apollo program, there were approximately 400,000 individuals involved in the program either directly or indirectly. To think that I was one of 43 on a list of "absolute minimum mission essential personnel was and still is "mind-boggling!"

posted 07-08-2016 12:17 AM               

The reported problem was that the sizing process did not take into account the heavier Earth weight of the PLSS/OPS at 125 lbs. vs. the 1/6 "G" lunar weight at 20.8 lbs. resulting in the Earth weight PLSS/OPS mockups and flight PLSS/OPSs when worn during crew fit and function testing and PLSS/OPS donning and doffing procedures resting lower on the astronaut's back than on the lunar surface.

As a result, there was no way to confirm that access to PLSS controls (Oxygen on/off, Diverter valve control, Feed water on/off) would have been identical on the moon. Note that the PLSS controls were located in the lower right hand corner of the PLSS with the astronaut "blindly" reaching behind for control access. The heavier earth weight PLSS/OPS also, did not give the astronaut an accurate lunar simulation with respect to location, movement and "feel" of the PLSS while performing tasks.

Being aware of the problem identified at MSC and knowing that astronaut EVA training was being moved to KSC on June 1, 1969, I thought of a possible solution that would both solve the problem of determining accurate custom harness lengths and being able to evaluate the harness lengths, PLSS location, movement and "feel" using lunar weight PLSSs. To that end, I came up with the idea of a counterbalance on wheels, sketched it out and asked the GE Support group at KSC (GE had the Ground Support Equipment contract during Apollo) if they would build my design concept.

After getting approval from NASA Crew Systems Division we (myself and members of the GE Support team) created the PLSS/OPS 1/6 "G' "counter balance" shown in the below graphic. The counter balance is identified as #1 in the graphic. Inserts A, B, C, and D represent specific features of the unit.

Insert A shows the "cradle" mount that held and supported the PLSS/OPS. Insert B shows the cradle being supported by a pulley that allowed PLSS lateral motion. Insert C shows a counterbalancing weight holder that supported 5/6 the weight of the PLSS/OPS at 104 lbs.(5x20.8). The weights can be seen in the weight holder of Insert C. To prevent the entire unit from tipping over we built a "tray" to hold large weights seen in Insert D.

The unit did, in fact, accomplish the goals that I established for it and it was an incredible Apollo project that I was proud and excited to have played the primary role in. I can't repeat enough times how lucky I was to have been in the right place at the right time to "live a dream."

posted 07-10-2016 09:28 AM               

The suits we wore were training suits with the emphasis on "procedural evaluation." Therefore, a "mix and match" philosophy with respect to suits, helmets, names on RCUs was secondary.

posted 07-11-2016 11:52 PM               

I remember Al looking at me and saying Dan, that may be the dress code at the beach but it's not the dress code on the moon (not his exact words but very close).