Author
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Topic: My personal Apollo story (Dan Schaiewitz)
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mark plas Member Posts: 385 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-17-2016 03:48 PM
Dan, do you have more preflight pictures of spacesuit, RCUs or PLSSs? |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-17-2016 05:04 PM
Dan, by any chance did you work with 'Dutch' von Ehrenfried? Part of his biography is "Operations and Flight Dynamics Branches, and was an Apollo Pressure Suit Test Subject (1967-1970) between missions." |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-17-2016 10:00 PM
quote: Originally posted by mark plas: Do you have more preflight pictures of spacesuit, RCUs or PLSSs?
Mark, can you be more specific? quote: Originally posted by Buel: By any chance did you work with 'Dutch' von Ehrenfried?
No, I did not. Mr. Von Ehrenfried's NASA "home base" was MSC, Houston. My NASA home base was KSC. |
mark plas Member Posts: 385 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-18-2016 02:55 AM
Dan, I meant pictures of flight suits and flight hardware documented. |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-18-2016 08:30 AM
quote: Originally posted by Daniel on the Moon: They tried it and subsequently "insisted" that Gatorade on ice was available during EVA training sessions.
Dan, this seems to suggest that the inclusion of Gatorade at EVA Crew Training was somewhat arbitrary and casual. Do you recall if NASA ever officially evaluated Gatorade with a view to its formal inclusion as part of EVA Crew rehydration?I know that Al Shepard, Dave Scott and Jim Irwin drank it frequently. Do you recall who else was a big fan of the drink? Do you recall if there were any conscientious objectors/abstainers? |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-18-2016 09:42 AM
The use of Gatorade during EVA Training was never officially evaluated by NASA. Is it possible that NASA considered it for flight EVA rehydration? Not that I'm aware of. Also, the helmet drink bags were filled with water since they were refilled from the LM water supply.I do not recall any "abstainers" based on the fact that for every EVA we had Gatorade on ice ready.
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randyc Member Posts: 779 From: Chandler, AZ USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-18-2016 10:48 AM
When I worked at Cape Canaveral one of my tasks was to load the hypergolic fuel and oxidizer onboard the second stage of the Delta launch vehicle. Because they were toxic I wore a SCAPE suit. When I returned to the SCAPE van there was always a bucket of Gatorade on ice available. Perhaps this was because of the experience from the Apollo program. |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-18-2016 11:01 AM
Thanks guys for the background on Gatorade!Dan, you mentioned its use from Apollo 12 onward - was it a specific member of the Apollo 12 crew who first introduced its use? Do you recall any particular lead advocates/enthusiasts/promoters for its introduction amongst the astronauts themselves? |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-19-2016 03:55 PM
The use of Gatorade for EVA training was a carry over from MSC where it was used during "outdoor" Apollo 11 and 12 EVA training. I do not know who was responsible for Gatorade's implementation at MSC.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. The Apollo 11 crews did not hydrate during indoor EVA training. The Apollo 12 Prime and Backup Crew NASA CSD test conductor requested that we have Gatorade available during rest periods (sitting with helmet off) for specific anticipated arduous EVA procedures such as the retrieval of the Surveyor camera. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-20-2016 11:43 AM
quote: 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.
Astronaut Haise is sweating because the cooling capability of the PLSS was non-existent during EVA training.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. I plan to present the EVA Training Program hardware in detail in the not so distant future. Stay tuned to this space! |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-20-2016 11:52 AM
quote: Originally posted by mark plas: I meant pictures of flight suits and flight hardware documented.
I do have pre-flight photos. I will try, at some point in time to gather them together, scan them and post them. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-21-2016 12:19 PM
![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory85.jpg) |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-21-2016 02:35 PM
When I hosted parties at my Cape Canaveral apartment complex, the party goers had access to the inside of my apartment to use the bathroom, get a beverage from the fridge or just "hang out".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! ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory87.jpg) |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-21-2016 10:20 PM
After some research, I stumbled across NASA physician Dr. F. Eugene Tubbs who was a flight surgeon for Gemini III, IV, V. He was quite popular with the astronauts, for example playing golf with Prime Pilot Pete Conrad and Backup Command Pilot Neil Armstrong in the lead up to the launch of Gemini V.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. Although the national profile of Gatorade was accelerating like a rocket in the 1967-1969 period, I'm guessing that Dr. Eugene Tubbs may have played an important role in ensuring its popularity within the MSC Astronaut Office. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-22-2016 01:00 AM
Excellent research with a plausible conclusion. |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-22-2016 06:14 AM
Thanks Dan! For reference, in S65-46374, Dr. Eugene Tubbs is sitting with Gemini V PLT Pete Conrad on the morning of his flight, August 21, 1965. |
carmelo Member Posts: 1047 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-22-2016 09:20 AM
Jane Fonda on the wall. But at time she not was "Hanoi Jane"? |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 06-22-2016 04:16 PM
Good eye, Carmelo, I was trying to recall who it was in that poster which seemed oddly familiar. Hanoi Jane visited N. Vietnam to give her pro VC speech and photo ops in the summer of 1972, several months prior to A17's flight.I assume her poster was on the wall strictly out of respect for her 1968 role as Barbarella Queen of the Galaxy?
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Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-23-2016 01:08 AM
Quite frankly, I don't remember where I bought the subject poster and I'm sure I had no idea who it was. I do know that I had an "eye" for pretty women and that poster fit in well with my bachelor pad décor. |
heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 06-23-2016 05:25 AM
Dan, it seems to me the photos of your living room, kitchen and bedroom have left and right reversed. ![](http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/smile.gif) |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-25-2016 05:24 PM
Two undated Ed Dempsey photographs showing Jim Irwin and Dave Scott during a drink/rest break during training. The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal indicates Dan is positioned behind Dave Scott - is that correct?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? Or were they modified versions like these flown on Skylab? |
YankeeClipper Member Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
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posted 06-25-2016 07:45 PM
Looks like Gatorade was the choice for Apollo 15 geology field trips too...S71-39728 26 June 1971 Apollo 15 LMP Jim Irwin with Navajo Tribal Chairman and World War II Marine Code Talker Peter MacDonald in Arizona. Jack Schmitt believes that this picture was taken on the Navajo Reservation at Buell Park, "a 3-mile diameter kimberlite pipe that Swann and I mapped in 1964-65." Buell Park is in northeastern Arizona, close to the New Mexico border. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-26-2016 12:20 PM
quote: 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?
Yes, that is me behind Dave Scott. No, I don't know the history of the food sticks. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-26-2016 10:12 PM
As I previously mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed lecturing to groups about the Apollo program, specifically the Apollo Suit, PLSS and OPS.One such lecture was at the Miami Lions Club. I will remember this occasion for more than one reason as I illuminate below. ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory88.jpg) ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory89.jpg)
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Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-29-2016 02:24 AM
There are times when I look back and realize that I was a critical link to making the EVA Astronaut Crew Training effort a success.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!" ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory90.jpg) |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 06-29-2016 02:22 PM
![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory91.jpg) |
MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 06-29-2016 09:23 PM
Like! |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-08-2016 12:17 AM
Before astronaut EVA crew training was assigned to KSC, there were reported problems in accurately determining the custom fixed lengths for the PLSS (Portable Life Support System) backpack harnesses (straps) that connected and secured the PLSS to the PGA (spacesuit Pressure Garment Assembly). Note that the PLSS harness lengths were custom sized for each astronaut.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." ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory92.jpg) |
mikepf Member Posts: 441 From: San Jose, California, USA Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-08-2016 11:16 AM
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of so-called minor details that had to be worked out in order to get a man to the moon and back. It almost seems like building the spacecraft was the easy part! I just wanted to throw in my appreciation for the fact that you have been documenting all these things here, both the technical and personal. This viewpoint is both valuable and fascination and my be lost to history without your posts. Keep them coming please. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-08-2016 01:04 PM
Thank you Mike. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-09-2016 12:02 AM
Following are photos of the 1/6 "G" Counterbalance (discussed in my previous post) in use.![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory93.jpg) ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory94.jpg)
![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory95.jpg)
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carmelo Member Posts: 1047 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 07-09-2016 09:05 AM
The helmet have a red band! We are after April 1970. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-09-2016 12:00 PM
Yes. The third photo in the above post was taken on 11/20/70. |
carmelo Member Posts: 1047 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 07-09-2016 07:42 PM
Was the Jim Lovell's helmet? |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-09-2016 11:38 PM
It was Al Shepard's Apollo 14 training helmet. |
heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 07-10-2016 02:57 AM
In other photos in that series you can see that Dan is presumably wearing Gene Cernan's Apollo 10 (training?) suit with blue neck ring. The man with Shepard's helmet is wearing Neil Armstrong's suit, I guess from his backup position on Apollo 8 as it also has a blue neck ring. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-10-2016 09:28 AM
In a majority of photos that I'm in, and photos that you are referencing, we are "evaluating" LM EVA prep and post procedures, before the prime and backup crew perform them and also after the prime and backup crew perform the procedures with the objectives I stated in a recent post.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. As you view the photos and recognize the suit, helmet, etc. and other compatibility differences, i.e. Armstrong's PGA with Shepard's helmet, and Mitchell's mockup RCU keep in mind the "procedural" objective of the exercise. |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-11-2016 11:52 PM
The following photo of astronaut Shepard and myself smiling is one of my favorites.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). ![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory96.jpg) |
Wehaveliftoff Member Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 07-12-2016 04:16 PM
Were you just shirtless or in "short shorts" as was the custom of the day? |
Daniel on the Moon Member Posts: 354 From: Bronxville, NY Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-12-2016 10:41 PM
![](http://www.collectspace.com/review/danielonthemoon/personalapollostory97.jpg) |