Topic: Apollo lunar module final approach phase abort
Hogboy13 New Member
Posts: 7 From: Bowling Green Ohio USA Registered: Oct 2012
posted 12-31-2013 08:28 PM
Interested in comments regarding an Apollo lunar module (LM) abort during the final approach phase of a landing...
Such as what conditions could necessitate an abort? Or what was the total time needed to execute and abort sequence? What is the actual abort sequence?
Would an abort be initiated with "permission" from Houston or could it be an on-the-spot judgement call by the astronauts? What is the minimum altitude an abort could be executed without crashing?
And with being in a 1/6 g how far could a LM free-fall without power and still land safely?
moorouge Member
Posts: 2458 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009
posted 01-01-2014 02:06 AM
You're talking about the 'dead man's' zone. Here is a 2010 thread that will tell you all about it.
Hogboy13 New Member
Posts: 7 From: Bowling Green Ohio USA Registered: Oct 2012
posted 01-01-2014 10:22 AM
Thanks, I am aware of the Dead Man's Zone issues... To re-state my question differently is what would a "successful" LM abort look like during the final landing phase?
I understand the Dead Man Zone discussion seems to focus more on height or altitude, my focus is on the events that would cause an abort. Who makes the split-second decision to abort and the sequence of events and time it would take to execute a successful abort? Seems to me those involved in this phase of a flight would need nerves of steel...
Headshot Member
Posts: 891 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 01-01-2014 10:47 AM
I recall reading that Neil Armstrong consulted with Grumman engineers and determined that the lunar module could free-fall from 40 feet above the lunar surface and land without damage. The landing area would have to be relatively rock free as the LM's shock absorbing system would stroke to the max during such a landing.