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Author
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Topic: Endeavour's Enigma
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Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 07-26-2004 06:28 PM
   
Did anybody else read this article? It sort of made my blood boil a little bit. I guess that means it was a well written and researched article, but sometimes you don't want to imagine these things could happen."Flown parts were sometimes even removed for use in training. When simulator parts wore out and no spares were available, flown parts were downgraded to training status and put to work in the simulators. In September, 1972 flown panels and lockers from Apollo 13 were placed in the water egress trainer to ensure the high fidelity of the training. [3] When the trainer's side hatch handle gearbox wouldn't work from wear and corrosion, the flown gearbox from Apollo 15's hatch was removed and installed on the boilerplate. [4] (These parts were later removed from the trainer.) "
Grumble Grumble...
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Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
dtemple
Member Posts: 729
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 07-26-2004 07:18 PM
You must maintain some perspective on this. Remember in 1972, Apollo spacecraft while recognized as historic were still just machines. Budget cuts meant practical decisions had to be made. That's the way things happen. Time has a way of changing the way people see things. Back then it was a matter of being practical - now it's a matter of a museum piece that should be perfectly preserved. It's a shame that Apollo 15 can't be put back to its splashdown condition, but at least it wasn't scrapped. Apollo 15 isn't the only Apollo that is in less than ideal condition. Apollo CMs 009 and 011 are in worse condition - at least that's my opinion. CM 009 has been "restored" but it doesn't appear to even have its original heatshield judging by the photos I have seen. It appears the scimitar antenna, CM to SM umbilical, and some access panels are gone, too. CM 011, like 009, appears to have not been flown due to the white paint that's been applied. Both CMs were used in land impact tests after their flights. In fact, only one Block 1 Apollo seems to be left in its splashdown form - Apollo 4 CM 017. I base that on photos I have seen, though I suspect some of the original components were removed from it as well. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-26-2004 09:53 PM
Someone had asked me about the condition of Apollo 11 on display. As far as I can tell from NASA documentation, Apollo 11 was spared from cannibalizing. Only items absolutely necessary for the program were removed. This included photo equipment, and the TV camera. The original control handle grips (only) were also removed. Otherwise, according to documents, Apollo 11 is as flown.------------------
John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-27-2004 01:12 AM
In a way, this really isn't surprising. Parts were taken from Enterprise - both before STS-1 and within the last few years to support the other Shuttles, and parts were also taken from Endeavour before she was completed. So why shouldn't have NASA done likewise with the Apollo spacecraft? |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-27-2004 05:54 PM
Wasn't there an EVA handhold removed from Columbia ? I seem to remember one in one of the auctions a while back.
I think there was something about it having some kind of radioactive material in it which was the glow in the dark part of the handle, and it was removed to "safe" it ? Adam |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-27-2004 06:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nasamad:
Wasn't there an EVA handhold removed from Columbia?
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-082400a.html
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Leon Ford
Member Posts: 309
From: Shreveport, LA, United States
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-27-2004 07:52 PM
John,I just wanted to say that this is a first class article on a very interesting subject. I know it took a lot of time and a lot of research. Thank you for taking the time to write this for us. Leon
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Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-28-2004 03:15 AM
I want to echo Leon's post, a great bit of detective work John.Cheers,
Matt
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www.spaceracemuseum.com |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-28-2004 11:12 AM
Yes, very interesting. I was not aware that the A15 CM is empty.
Jurg[This message has been edited by Jurg Bolli (edited July 28, 2004).] |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-28-2004 01:01 PM
Thanks for the compliments.This was fun to research. I enjoyed several moments of discovery, when a buried piece of paper would reveal details long forgotten. Lots of work, but well worth it. ------------------
John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-28-2004 06:12 PM
Thanks for posting the link to the handle article Robert, I did look in the archive but didn't know it went that far back. Ditto for the kudos on the article John, very interesting. Makes me wonder how much of Charlie Brown Im actually gazing at every time I visit it ! Adam |
dtemple
Member Posts: 729
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 07-30-2004 11:33 PM
More of Apollo 15 can be found in spacecraft 002 on display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. According to the description with the photo http://www.cradleofaviation.org/exhibits/space/rockwell/index.html
the parachutes were flown on Apollo 15. I wonder if this spacecraft originally had crew couches - probably not. If not, where did the crew couches come from? Also, note the spacesuits. Anyone recognize the different types? |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-31-2004 04:19 AM
Not sure about the orange suit but the silver could be either a Gemini G1C (as worn by Grissom and Young on Gemini 3) or possibly an X-20 Dynasoar suit.Cheers,
Matt ------------------
www.spaceracemuseum.com |
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