Author
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Topic: Bolt from Apollo Command Module?
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Blaberus Member Posts: 18 From: England Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 05-31-2010 01:51 PM
I recently won a lot in a recent space auction which consisted of a bolt, two washers and a nut which had reputedly come from the Apollo 10 CM "Charlie Brown". Being a skeptical sort of guy I am trying to research the markings on the head of the bolt and establish whether or not this exact type of fastener was used in the CM. The markings read "NAS1153-C4" followed by a symbol which might be the manufacturer's insignia. So far I have ascertained that NAS = "National Aerospace Standard" of the USA and that NAS1153 = a "Torq-Set Bolt with a Machine-Flat 100 Deg Head, Close Tolerance, Short Thread, Offset Cruciform Recess." I have also found out that aerospace applications need bolts which are torque-tight and that the type of torq-set recess which my bolt has was designed earlier than 1965. I have not managed to work out what "C4" means or identify the possible insignia on the head, so if anyone can help I would be extremely grateful. I would also like to know whether this model of bolt was used in the Apollo spacecraft - if anyone happens to know! I have posted pictures of the items below. Thanks in advance!! |
space1 Member Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 05-31-2010 02:04 PM
Yes that is the same type of bolt used in the Apollo spacecraft. The C4 is related to the size of the bolt. There would be no way of knowing from the bolt markings whether it flew or not.------------------ John Fongheiser President Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com |
Blaberus Member Posts: 18 From: England Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 05-31-2010 02:29 PM
Thanks very much indeed for the information and your quick reply! The items came with a COA and a complex but plausible story about how they were obtained. Key points of the story check out, so given that the bolt is the correct type and appears to have been used, I am (now) inclined to believe that it is what it is reputed to be. If it is a hoax then it would be an extremely elaborate one and the hoaxer would have needed to know a lot about fasteners and their markings and would have needed to obtain the correct items from somewhere (which I guess would be difficult without a lot of specialist knowledge). |
space1 Member Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 05-31-2010 02:45 PM
I took a quick look at some photos I took recently at the National Air & Space Museum. Here is an example of that same type of bolt on the Apollo 11 hatch gear box. |
Blaberus Member Posts: 18 From: England Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 05-31-2010 03:04 PM
The photos are really great to see - thank you very much indeed! |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-01-2010 11:29 AM
The bolt description as stated in the above thread is correct. The fact that the basic bolt part number is a NAS1153 indicates that it is a 3/16" nominal diameter bolt. The "C" means that it is a corrosion resistant steel fastener and the 4 is a 1/4" grip length. Grip length is the measurement from the top of the head to the start of the threads. This is the potion of the fastener that can be in bearing.In aerospace applications the threads of the fasteners must always pass beyond the base material such that there are no "threads in bearing". If the threads contacted the base material they would cut into the material which would cause a stress concentration point leading to increased fatigue and possible failure over a number of cycles. Also corrosion resistant steel (referred to as CRES in aerospace application) is the aerospace industries term for stainless steel. However if you are one of my engineers and call it stainless steel I would be quick to tell you that stainless steel is what forks and knives are made from, in aerospace we use CRES. |
space1 Member Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-01-2010 01:34 PM
Thanks for the added details. I've always wondered what was different about CRES. Apparently it's a love for acronyms . |
Blaberus Member Posts: 18 From: England Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 06-02-2010 03:56 PM
Thanks very much for the additional information GACspaceguy. Would you happen to know anything about the nut - especially whether it goes with the bolt (it doesn't seem to be a very good fit). Also if anyone can identify the symbol on the bolt head, which I assume is the insignia of the company that made it, I would be very grateful... |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-02-2010 06:19 PM
The nut looks like a MS21042 CRES nut and yes it would match the fastener. I do not recognize the manufacture's symbol; I will ask our fastener expert when I can get a moment tomorrow. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-02-2010 07:33 PM
This style Torq-Set fastener was also used in to affix the front panel of the Environmental Control Unit. |