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Author
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Topic: Apollo lunar module: Order of ingress
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Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 678
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-19-2012 07:53 PM
  
In all the Apollo missions that landed, the commander always went out onto the lunar surface first. But did the commander always return into the lunar module after the lunar module pilot on all EVAs? If so was this due to rank (CDR/LMP) or was it due to the issues with who had to stand where (and therefore when) in the LM when donning/doffing their suits? |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1624
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 01-20-2012 08:07 AM
My guess is that the commander went in last because of the tasks assigned in the flight plan. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1332
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 01-22-2012 04:25 PM
I'm going to say it's because the hinges of the hatch. The hinges were on the right (LM pilot's) side if you were standing inside the lunar module. It was easier if LMP got out second and back in first.One quote I remember reading from Deke Slayton was "I didn't want them to have to do some sorta goddam dance in there." |
rolly
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted 01-24-2012 08:15 AM
I believe it was because the CDR had overall mission responsibility - this no doubt included ensuring the LMP re-entered prior to himself. Also, after Apollo 12, all the LMPs were "rookies", so the CDR would probably not have wanted the rookie coming in last. |
Kite
Member Posts: 855
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 01-24-2012 11:13 AM
Apollo 12 LMP, Alan Bean, was a "rookie" as well. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 01-24-2012 11:32 AM
I believe it was all about the way the hatch, the order exiting was about it, and if you reverse it, the same technical issues apply. From New Scientist: The Lunar Module's moonwalk hatch was below and in front of the astronauts, and was roughly square. It hinged inward, with the hinges not at the top or the bottom, but at one side – the pilot's side. It swung open away from the commander and toward the pilot. So when the hatch was open, Armstrong had a clear path to manoeuvre out through the opening, while Aldrin was penned in behind the hatch. In the LM's cramped cabin, in clumsy spacesuits, the only practical way out was from Armstrong's side. Once Armstrong was out, Aldrin had to close the hatch again, slide sideways past it, and only then open it – from Armstrong's side of the cabin – for his own exit. The only way that Aldrin could go out first was for the two men to swap places before opening the hatch. This wasn't quite impossible, but it was very difficult; when Armstrong and Aldrin tried it in an LM mockup, they damaged some of the cabin equipment! The commander simply had to go first. |
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