Posts: 678
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 07-16-2007 09:34 PM            

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Everything on the AS204 spacecraft was as it was. Block I design, 16 psi pure O2, flammable materials in the cabin, same suits, poor communications, bad wiring, the plugs out test is considered non-hazardous, etc. The only difference is the command module has the outward and quick opening unified hatch design that was ultimately designed for the Block II spacecraft. Do they all get out?

Thanks,
Paul

Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 07-16-2007 09:34 PM            

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It was only about 15 seconds after the first report of a fire that the spacecraft hull ruptured under the intense pressure and heat from inside. The rupture sent a flame torch of heat and smoke outwards knocking one pad tech over.

About 15 to 30 seconds after the report of fire the crew would have been unconscious.

The internal pressure, 100% oxygen and numerous flammable materials inside the spacecraft made AS-204 a timebomb. Would the crew have gotten out with a quick release hatch, maybe, maybe not.

Posts: 501
From: Pearland, Texas USA
Registered: May 2003

Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007

posted 07-17-2007 04:06 AM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sy Liebergot:
If Ed White hit the strike plate on the quick opening unified hatch, it would have swung open in 2.5 seconds.
Sy

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I was under the impression the hatch couldn't be opened from the inside. Has anyone got any info on the hatch design so as to see how it worked.

Posts: 2141
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 07-17-2007 04:51 AM               

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Max, I think Sy was writing from the point of view of the craft having the unified hatch, not the inward opening hatch that it actually had.

I'd like to think they would have got out, when the hatch opened, I would have thought there would be a flash of flame from the opening then the fire would have been more subdued as the pure oxygen environment was no longer pressurised (or pure)

I write this as a guess and would be interested to hear more informed opinions.

Adam

Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 07-17-2007 02:02 PM               

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I have run this around our North American retirees here in Downey and yes, the pressure would have dropped instead of intensified and the crew would have had time to get out of the couches and out of their fiery spacecraft. It is of course a troubling question for these men, but from what came of it they are proud of their heritage and what was accomplished by them on Apollo.

The Nova show 'To the Moon' 10 years ago said it best. There was bound to be an accident, and if it had happened in flight we may never have had the opportunity to discover what happened and we would have lost the Moon and never had gone.