Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Opinions & Advice
  Titan IV rocket plaque: Umbilical part?

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Titan IV rocket plaque: Umbilical part?
bookmeister1970
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Registered: Dec 2018

posted 12-22-2018 02:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for bookmeister1970   Click Here to Email bookmeister1970     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Another item from the same estate as this Rogers Commission item, is a plaque with two pieces related to the Titan IV rocket. I'm wondering what part of the rocket or launch system is related to?

Is it part of the umbilical or something else? Thanks in advance for any ideas.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2475
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 12-22-2018 06:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The silver part looks like the cut off end of a flight control cable, a clevis terminal end.

bookmeister1970
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Registered: Dec 2018

posted 12-23-2018 11:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bookmeister1970   Click Here to Email bookmeister1970     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the reply.

I don't have any expertise insofar as Titan rockets are concerned. So, if I'm understanding the purpose for this part being included on the plaque, it's related to the flight control mechanism (during flight post launch) or something related to the launch process?

I would assume the latter vs the former as it would be nearly impossible to retrieve a Titan part as it is lost either before payload is deployed or would burn up after reentry?

Let me know if I'm thinking about this correctly. Thanks for your help.

Jim Behling
Member

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 12-24-2018 12:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The clevis is for umbilical retraction. It isn't part of the vehicle. They are used to connect the umbilicals to retraction cables.

See this video at 0:45. That is the best I can show.

I knew Lt Col Hungerford. He was the launch director for the first Titan IV launch.

bookmeister1970
New Member

Posts: 5
From: Rancho Cucamonga
Registered: Dec 2018

posted 12-24-2018 01:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bookmeister1970   Click Here to Email bookmeister1970     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow... Thanks so much Jim.

The video clearly explains the purpose of this particular clevis end. Thanks so much.

Knowing that you knew Lt. Col. Hungerford, would you happen to know what happened to him? I have no idea if he's deceased or not; whether he has family around? (I have his medals and insignia that I'd want them to have.)

I'd also like to know more about his shuttle team involvement in the late 70s and early 80s. My understanding is that is why he was selected as a staff investigator for the Roger's Commission.

Do you know anything about that 'shuttle' portion of his career (before the unmanned era of his service)? Thanks again.

Jim Behling
Member

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 12-25-2018 06:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I shouldn't have said I knew him, I knew of him. He retired and went to LA to work for Boeing Satellite Systems. As far as shuttle, I believe he worked it from the Air Force side and not any NASA positions.

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement