|
Author
|
Topic: Apollo spacecraft stacking on the Saturn V
|
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 740
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 01-23-2016 01:01 PM
  
What sequence was used to stack the Apollo command and service module, spacecraft lunar module adapter (SLA) and lunar module on top of the Saturn V S-IVB?This picture would seem to indicate that the lunar module was placed on top of the S-IVB then the SLA (upper portion) was placed over it (and presumably the CSM on top of that). This is the way I always assumed it to have been done.  However this Apollo 10 picture would seem to indicate that the lunar module was already placed within the CSM/SLA and then this assembly installed on top of the S-IVB (Snoopy does not appear to be installed on top of the S-IVB).  Perhaps I'm wrong about that assumption. |
space1
Member Posts: 904
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 01-23-2016 01:12 PM
I have seen photos of several missions showing stacking of the combined CSM/SLA/LM on top of the S-IVB. I do not know why your first photo shows what appears to be partial de-stacking. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3633
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
|
posted 01-23-2016 01:42 PM
The first photo shows the LM being placed in the SLA. The image was taken in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB), not the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The CSM/SLA/LM was assembled in the MSOB, and then moved to the VAB and stacked like the second photo. |
space1
Member Posts: 904
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 01-23-2016 02:36 PM
Thanks, that makes much more sense. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 740
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 01-23-2016 07:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by space1:
I have seen photos of several missions showing stacking of the combined CSM/SLA/LM on top of the S-IVB.
You are correct as I have found this pic of Apollo 11 clearly showing LM-5 installed within the SLA prior to stacking on top of the S-IVB. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 740
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 01-23-2016 08:12 PM
And on the topic of SLA stacking can anyone please explain these devices. |
CMikeW
Member Posts: 89
From: United States
Registered: Apr 2013
|
posted 01-23-2016 09:45 PM
The SLA was delivered to KSC from its build site, North American Tulsa if memory serves, as an assembly. The upper part was demated from the lower in the O&C high bay. The LM was installed on the lower half of the SLA and then the upper part of the SLA was mated to to lower portion. At the completion of that operation the CSM was lifted and installed on the SLA. The entire stack SLA, LM, CSM and a GSE adapter ring was then lifted and set on a wheeled transporter which was then taken from the O&C building high bay to the VAB were the entire stack, minus the GSE adapter ring, was hoisted up and mated to the IU, which was mated to the S-IVB. Hope this helps to answer the question. |
CMikeW
Member Posts: 89
From: United States
Registered: Apr 2013
|
posted 01-23-2016 09:57 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Paul78zephyr:
And on the topic of SLA stacking can anyone please explain these devices.
The targets were used by the crane crew to help get the CSM/LM/SLA stack properly aligned with the IU mating interface. As I remember the operation, the access platforms in the VAB were pulled back so that the mating operation could take place. Because of that no one could get close enough to the mating interface to see if things were properly lined up. The targets enabled this to be done. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 740
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 01-25-2016 01:04 PM
Thank you for that info. These images would seem to indicate that a LUT swing arm was in place at the IU/S-IVB interface and that there were technicians on top of the S-IVB to aid the SLA-to-IU/S-IVB mating. 
|
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 740
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 02-04-2016 06:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
The CSM/SLA/LM was assembled in the MSOB, and then moved to the VAB...
Can you explain what the LM is sitting on in this pic previously posted? Is that part of the "lower" portion of the SLA, which is what I think? |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1701
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 02-04-2016 09:10 PM
Yes, that is the lower part of the SLA. Here is the LM being lowered into that part of the SLA. |
Tom Rednour
Member Posts: 49
From: Beacon, NY 12508
Registered: Dec 2014
|
posted 02-05-2016 02:24 PM
The April 14, 1969 issue of Aviation Week has a 7 page photo essay on the stacking of Apollo 10. It shows the spacecraft payload for the Saturn V being installed in one piece (SLA/LM/CSM), with worker bees inside the IU ready to make the attachment. |
Headshot
Member Posts: 1042
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
|
posted 02-05-2016 06:31 PM
Either my eyesight is failing or the LM in Paul's post does not have a porch or plume deflectors for the RCS quad thrusters. |
moonguyron
Member Posts: 191
From: Trinity, FL USA
Registered: Jan 2011
|
posted 02-06-2016 01:37 PM
You are correct. The picture is missing plume deflectors as they were installed within about a month of launch. From the book "Countdown to a Moon Launch" page 251: Other last minute modification work to LM-5 (AP-11) included the addition of the plume deflectors beneath the downward pointing thrusters on the reaction control system. The plume deflectors were not present on the LM's for Apollo 9 and 10. In-flight observation of those LM's, as well as shock tunnel tests, showed that hot, potentially damaging exhaust from the RCS engines impinged on the LM's descent stage. An exhaust deflection system was devised...These "coal chutes" so called because of their curved shape and sloped profile, deflected RCS engine exhaust away from the top of the descent stage. Although no exact time for this modification is given it occurs in the book after a modification that added 39 pounds of insulation to the landing gear of the LM which occurred "after midnight, June 23rd." Other late modifications included the removal of the Lunar Contact Probe from the front (+Z) leg of the LM. From the book again, thermal protection specialist Alan Contessa is quoted as saying, "We made changes up until a couple of days before launch." Now fast forward to after the mission was flown and now quoting from the Apollo 11 Post Mission Report. This document was an internal NASA memo prepared for the "Apollo 11 Flight Director" by "LM Control," the folks responsible for the LM. This section refers to the PDI, the powered descent to the surface of the moon. I quote from page 5: Unexpected RCS activity continued throughout this phase but not to the extent of presenting a serious problem since the plume deflectors were installed on LM-5. (RCS impingement time exceeded the old 15 second limit — plume deflectors allowed mission completion.) The last sentence is underlined in the report. |
Liembo
Member Posts: 776
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted 01-27-2022 09:39 PM
Does anyone have a high resolution version of this photo? It's Apollo 1's SLA and CM being hoisted onto the Saturn IB. It was sourced from this page. Thank you.  |
Dietrich
Member Posts: 81
From:
Registered: Jul 2009
|
posted 01-28-2022 02:39 PM
It is contained on the Retro Space Images' Apollo 1 picture CD. However, it seems they do no more sell the CDs, at least I cannot find an online shop for the picture CDs. |
olympusmonsuk
Member Posts: 25
From: Billericay, Essex, England
Registered: May 2011
|
posted 01-28-2022 04:42 PM
Check out this page from the NASA History site. |
advertisement