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Author
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Topic: Lem and S-IVB attachment
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CJC
Member Posts: 95
From: Ireland
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 03-13-2004 08:23 AM
   
I've tried to find an answer to this question that has been bugging me for a while and hopefully someone out there will know the answer.How exactly was the LEM attached to the third stage of the Saturn V? Was it by pyrotechnic bolts or another way or was it instead left loose inside the spacecraft adaptor panels? CJC |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-13-2004 10:37 AM
Certainly wsn't loose :-))If I remember - I'll have to look up again since long time since looked at this - but the LM was attached to the adapter 'stage' at the 'knuckle joints' of the landing legs. I can't remember off hand if this was mechanical seperation system or 'explosive bolts' ?
Good question
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Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 03-13-2004 11:34 AM
Must have been velcro. Strong stuff.
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spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-18-2004 06:37 PM
CJC et alHere is the Gruman description and a relevant image of how the LM was attached to SLA and how it was released. Enjoy !
Pads at the apex of the descent stage out-riggers mate with attachment fittings in the SLA. Tiedown Tension Straps, which are explosively released hold the pads against the LSA attachment fittings. When the CSM and the LM have docked, an astronaut in the CM initiates severence of the tiedown straps. After the straps are severed, preloaded spring thrusters provide positive Separation of the LM from the SLA.
Phill Parker
Author- Aspects of Apollo
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CJC
Member Posts: 95
From: Ireland
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 03-19-2004 09:34 AM
Thanks for that. Very interesting. I wonder what the crews would have done if the bolts and tethers failed to seperate? |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-19-2004 04:11 PM
They would have aborted trying to extract LM
and carried on to a possible lunar orbit mission only (a la Apollo-8) or just simple loop around Moon and return (a la Apollo-13). NASA did have many abort plans setup with alternative mission scenarios for each mission. |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 03-26-2004 09:30 PM
From the NASA Apollo Operations Handbook:Frangible links retain the clamps which are used to secure the LM legs to the SLA. Sympathetic detonators are used to break the links and spring-loading opens the clamps. Either of the detonators will break the frangible link; therefore the sympathetic nature is not required to meet minimum reliability requirements. A pair of detonators is also utilized to activate guillotine blades of the lower umbilical.
Hope it helps - Danno
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