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  Manufacture of the Apollo LM ladder

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Author Topic:   Manufacture of the Apollo LM ladder
Apolloman
Member

Posts: 148
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 06-25-2019 11:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would like to know with which alloy the ladder of the Apollo lunar module was manufactured and how was it fixed to the landing gear (welding, riveting collage)?

According to the below photo, it looks like drawn tubes rolled and mandreled in the amount of the ladder and riveting on the edges of the bars). Am I good? Thank you in advance for your answers.

davidcwagner
Member

Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 06-25-2019 06:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for davidcwagner   Click Here to Email davidcwagner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great photo of the case for the American Flag attached to the left side of the ladder.

Lou Chinal
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Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 07-03-2019 04:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I remember reading somewhere the ladder was only rated for one astronaut at a time. In case one astronaut broke his leg during the moonwalk, the other astronaut could not stand on the top rung to pull his buddy up.

oly
Member

Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 07-03-2019 10:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would be curious to know if the lunar module ladder was capable of supporting the weight of an astronaut wearing the full pressure suit and life support system backpack in 1g, if so, it should be capable of supporting the weight of two crew on the lunar surface.

This may also depend on how/where each crewmember places their weight upon the ladder, as the ladder design was secured to the landing gear strut in three positions, with the remainder of the ladder not in contact with the strut.

This Apollo 14 image shows the two crew standing on the ladder of the LM mockup. Note the weight distribution and positioning of the people.

David C
Member

Posts: 1014
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 07-03-2019 11:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Unfortunately I don't think any conclusions about the strength of the LM can be derived from a 1g training mockup.

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