Apollo 13: Moving between the CM and LM

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Author	Topic: Apollo 13: Moving between the CM and LM
compass Member Posts: 42 From: uk Registered: May 2007	posted 04-15-2008 05:56 AM When the crippled Apollo 13 was coasting home was the hatch between the LM and CSM either closed shut or left open? If it was closed was this to protect/conserve the LM atmosphere and what little heat there was? If it were left open how did the ambient atmosphere in the CSM effect that of the LM? If the hatch was secured closed throughout the coast what were the consequences for the crew when they re entered the CSM for re entry preparations, i.e. what state was the atmosphere in? At any time during the coast did a crew member return to the CSM albeit briefly? Or was it simply the case that the atmospheres within the LM and CSM were collectively treated as one?
Fra Mauro Member Posts: 1624 From: Bethpage, N.Y. Registered: Jul 2002	posted 04-15-2008 07:11 AM The hatch was left open all the way home. The crew tried to close it shortly after the explosion but the rocking of the vehicles made it impossible. Closing the hatch would have made things more difficult like when something was needed from the CM and it would have made the LM even more crowded. I know at least Lovell attempted to sleep in the CM but the cold prevented any meaningful rest.
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007	posted 04-15-2008 04:35 PM Lovell's book gives the best details on this. At times, all three of the crew members did try to retreat into the CSM one at a time for sleep periods, but not very successfully. Jim said he could almost get warm in the CM by sitting perfectly still as his body heat would radiate out and warm a pocket of air around him due to no circulating fans running. As it got colder though, this became less and less effective over time. Essentially both atmospheres were treated as one during the return, but the heat and circulation systems in the LM kept it a little warmer then the CM when the power was running.

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