T O P I C R E V I E W |
heng44 | Three instrumented dummies undergo vibration testing of Apollo command module 105 at the Manned Spacecraft Center's vibration and acoustic test facility, Building 49, in February 1968. Purpose was to determine the reaction of astronauts to expected launch vibrations. The test was repeated by astronaut Gordon Cooper the following day. |
Lasv3 | Is it known which seat did Gordon Cooper occupy during the test? |
Rick Mulheirn | I'm guessing the commander's seat to the left. |
Lasv3 | Another question: During this particular test did NASA test the vibrations expected during the Saturn 1B launch or the Saturn V launch? The vibrations level must have been quite different and I remember Bill Anders saying that the Apollo 8 crew was very surprised with the strength of the vibration during their launch. |
heng44 | Cooper during the test on February 10. According to the MSC Roundup the tests were "in support of the first manned Apollo mission." |
Lasv3 | Thank you both for the answers very much. |
Headshot | quote: Originally posted by Lasv3: The vibrations level must have been quite different...
Did Pete Conrad, Al Bean or Tom Stafford (astronauts who rode both vehicles into orbit) make any comments/evaluations about the differences?By the way, great pictures Ed. I have not seen either before today. The first three quarters of 1968 must have been a heady, albeit frantic, time. |
David Carey | Very cool picture, Ed - looks like three bio-hazard suits ready for launch! Is the original photo crisp enough to read what looks like an index card with writing on the right knee of the middle test dummy? Always fun to scour the details. |
Steven Kaplan | Ed, the scope of your collection continues to amaze me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of Cooper inside either the Apollo command module or the lunar module. |
heng44 | quote: Originally posted by David Carey: Is the original photo crisp enough to read what looks like an index card with writing on the right knee of the middle test dummy?
Apparently a note the photographer put there. |
heng44 | Here are views from the two film cameras in the center couch.
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David Carey | Thank you, Ed. Great stuff. Hadn't ever known about this (or perhaps forgot !) but NASA has a brief writeup on vibration and acoustic testing history with CM-105. |