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[i]Other last minute modification work to LM-5 (AP-11) included the addition of the plume deflectors beneath the downward pointing thrusters on the reaction control system. The plume deflectors were not present on the LM's for Apollo 9 and 10. In-flight observation of those LM's, as well as shock tunnel tests, showed that hot, potentially damaging exhaust from the RCS engines impinged on the LM's descent stage. An exhaust deflection system was devised... These "coal chutes" so called because of their curved shape and sloped profile, deflected RCS engine exhaust away from the top of the descent stage.[/i]
[i]Unexpected RCS activity continued throughout this phase but not to the extent of presenting a serious problem since the plume deflectors were installed on LM-5. (RCS impingement time exceeded the old 15 second limit — plume deflectors allowed mission completion.)[/i]
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