Posts: 26
From: Karlsruhe, Germany
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 04-10-2006 05:05 AM            

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Hello all,

I am a bit confused on this subject. According to the Apollo Lunar Surface journal, as well as the audio files during Gene and Jack's lunar ascent preperations, at about 10 seconds prior lift-off, Jack seems to be frustrated that the 16mm camera would have run only with him holding it. Gene said shortly thereafter "..okay. Forget about the camera.."
Then again, on the ALSJ there is a frame shown taken by that very camera during the lift-off phase, which looks like it must have been taken only a few seconds after pitch-over, with the descent stage and ALSEP site visible below. Can anyone of you gurus clear this one up for me. Did the 16mm camera work and recorded the ascent from Taurus-Littrow valley now or not? If yes, there seems no footage of that available over the net?! Does Spacecraftfilms Apollo 17 DVD include this portion of the 16mm cam recordings? Thanks for any feedback!

Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 04-10-2006 06:14 AM               

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When preparing the footage for the set I asked Schmitt about this issue. He said the button wouldn't stay on, so he reached up and held it down. Even though Gene said "forget about the camera," as soon as Schmitt had a free hand to hold it down he did so. If I'm not mistaken he eventually got it to stay on. Most of the liftoff, from just a little after liftoff, was recorded and is on our set.

Best,
Mark

Posts: 26
From: Karlsruhe, Germany
Registered: Apr 2005

Posts: 385
From: the Netherlands
Registered: Aug 2000