Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 12-09-2006 05:01 PM               

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Watching the Spacecraft Films Apollo 7 DVD's, I wondered how the service module thrusters can take the aerodynamic pressure (slipstream) during the launch period in the lower atmosphere? I'm especially wondering how the forward and side-facing thruster "bells" can take this force? How did the experts figure that one out? Thanks for your information.

Harvey

[Edited by hlbjr (December 09, 2006).]

Posts: 649
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001

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posted 12-09-2006 06:47 PM               

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Actually its mitigated by the design of the thrusters themselves. There were a number of boilerplate tests which included as a specific objective, understanding how the spacecraft reacted to the launch environment. Boilerplates 15, 26 and 9 (missions SA-7, 8 and 10 respectively) included either simulated or actual RCS packages which were instrumentated with thermal couples and accelerometers to measure temperature and vibration; the testing demonstrated the quad's were able to weather stresses associated with launch vehicle transit through maximum dynamic pressure.

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Scott Schneeweis

URL http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/