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Author
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Topic: Apollo CSM arrival and processing at KSC
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neo1022
Member Posts: 281
From: Santa Monica, CA
Registered: Jun 2013
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posted 12-21-2018 10:50 PM
   
Does anyone know where I can find a summary of the dates for Apollo command and service module (CSM) processing and testing at Kennedy Space Center? Want to know when each spacecraft arrived at KSC and entered the testing and checkout workflow... |
neo1022
Member Posts: 281
From: Santa Monica, CA
Registered: Jun 2013
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posted 12-22-2018 11:49 AM
Found most of the information I needed in "Apollo: The Definitive Sourcebook."Still looking for arrival dates and flight readiness dates for CM-111 (ASTP), 116 (Skylab 2/I), 117 (Skylab 3/II), 118 (Skylab 4/III). Any help much appreciated! |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-22-2018 09:14 PM
I found these KSC arrival dates: - CSM-116: Aug 1, 1972
- CSM-117: Dec 1, 1972
- CSM-118: ?
- CSM-111: Sep 7, 1974
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heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-24-2018 11:12 AM
CSM-118: February 14, 1973. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-24-2018 05:49 PM
I got my Skylab dates from the Saturn IB flight evaluation reports. I suspect that the CSM-116 arrival date (Aug 1) is not correct. I think it might have been July 20. |
NavyPilot
Member Posts: 36
From:
Registered: Nov 2015
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posted 12-25-2018 07:31 AM
My records indicate 116 arrived on 7/19, but I didn't record the provenance of that date. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-26-2018 04:14 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
I think it might have been July 20.
I have photos of the spacecraft being uncrated, dated July 21. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-26-2018 09:35 AM
The Apollo 17 spacecraft was moved to the VAB on August 22, so there might be some photos that show both CSM-114 (Apollo 17) and CSM-116 (Skylab 2) in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. |
NavyPilot
Member Posts: 36
From:
Registered: Nov 2015
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posted 12-26-2018 09:38 AM
Understand about the printed photo dates. Recognize that often those are the release dates, not exposure dates. Who knows! |
NavyPilot
Member Posts: 36
From:
Registered: Nov 2015
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posted 12-26-2018 09:41 AM
I just realized that I was talking to Ed!Sorry if that was condescending — it was not supposed to be. I assumed that it might have been someone who doesn't understand the problem with NASA photo dates. Certainly I know you do!!! |
heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-26-2018 11:38 AM
No problem!  I indeed know photo dates aren't always accurate, but KSC photos usually are dated correctly. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-26-2018 11:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
...there might be some photos that show both CSM-114 (Apollo 17) and CSM-116 (Skylab 2) in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building.
Not the CSM, but there is one of the Apollo 17 LM passing the SL-2 CSM in the MSOB on August 16, 1972. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-26-2018 11:59 AM
Ed, I think that is the Apollo 17 CSM. The Skylab CM did not have the blue protective tape all over. The Skylab CSM could be hidden in the Integrated Test Stand beyond. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-26-2018 01:50 PM
Good point. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-26-2018 05:24 PM
From the dates I have seen, all three Skylab CSMs may have been in the MSOB at the same time for a brief period in February 1973.
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-27-2018 08:14 AM
1973 photo KSC-73P-59 might show two of them: CM-118 arriving at the MSOB on Feb 14, and CSM-116/SLA in the Integrated Test Stand. Do you have that photo?CSM-117 was also in the MSOB: from Dec 1972 to June 1973.
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heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-27-2018 12:04 PM
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-27-2018 08:47 PM
From NASA SP-4011, referring to CSM-116:
On 9 February 1973 the SLA was mated to the CSM. The CSM/SLA was then moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building on 20 February 1973 and mated to the launch vehicle the following day. Transfer of the SL-2 to LC-39B was completed 27 February. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-27-2018 10:21 PM
NASA SP-4011 also has these KSC arrival dates: - CSM-116: July 19, 1972
- CSM-117: December 1, 1972
- CSM-118: February 10, 1973
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 12-30-2018 04:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
The Skylab CSM could be hidden in the Integrated Test Stand beyond.
The Skylab CSM-116 was actually in Altitude Chamber L on August 16, 1972 for a combined systems test.
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-03-2019 10:40 AM
The Skylab 2 Post-Launch Report has a detailed list of pre-launch events at KSC. The CSM-116 milestone events begin on page 2-8. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-08-2019 09:24 AM
Can anyone confirm that the CSM-119 Skylab Rescue Vehicle arrived at KSC on May 2, 1973? I don't recall ever seeing any photos of CSM-119 in the MSOB.If that date is correct, then all four Skylab command modules were at the Cape before the first Skylab launch. |
spacemal
Member Posts: 30
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 01-09-2019 06:03 AM
I have a copy of a memo, dated Sept 24, 73, outlining changes to the Skylab processing. It includes dates for; CSM-119 available for delivery to KSC on 2 May, and to be on dock at KSC on 7 May. It may be the case that these milestones were completed earlier. If you wish a copy of memo please feel free to contact me. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-11-2019 11:35 AM
The Apollo Program Summary Report has some conflicting dates regarding when these Apollo spacecraft (CSM/LM/SLA) were moved from the MSOB to the VAB. Which dates are correct?- Apollo 12: June 20 or June 30? (1969)
- Apollo 13: December 9 or December 10? (1969)
- Apollo 16: December 7 or December 8? (1971)
- Apollo 17: August 22 or August 24? (1972)
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-11-2019 02:51 PM
Photo KSC-69P-0204 dated 1969-04-02 has this caption: Apollo command and service modules scheduled for manned landing missions on the moon cross paths in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at the spaceport. The meeting occurred last night when the CSM for Apollo 11 was being hoisted out of a test chamber and the CSM for Apollo 12, which recently arrived at Kennedy Space Center, was getting its initial checkouts in the aisle. Apollo 11 is scheduled for the first manned lunar landing mission this summer. LM-5 and LM-6 were also in the MSOB when the photo was taken. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-13-2019 08:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
Which dates are correct?
The same Apollo 12 photo is dated June 30, 1969 in the Apollo Image Gallery. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-16-2019 07:32 AM
I count five occasions when there were four different spacecraft being processed in the MSOB at the same time: - LM-3, CSM-104, LM-4 and CSM-106 from Nov 25 to Dec 3, 1968
- LM-4, CSM-106, LM-5 and CSM-107 from Jan 23 to Feb 6, 1969
- LM-5, CSM-107, LM-6 and CSM-108 from Mar 28 to Apr 14, 1969
- LM-6, CSM-108, CSM-109 and LM-7 from Jun 28 to Jun 30, 1969
- CSM-109, LM-7, CSM-110 and LM-8 from Nov 24 to Dec 10, 1969
Also noteworthy during the Skylab CSM processing: - LM-12, CSM-114 and CSM-116 from Jul 19 to Aug 24, 1972
- CSM-116, ATM, AM/MDA and CSM-117 from Dec 1 to Jan 29, 1973
- CSM-116, CSM-117 and CSM-118 from Feb 10 to Feb 20, 1973
- CSM-117, CSM-118 and CSM-119 from May 2 to Jun 7, 1973
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-17-2019 09:38 PM
The Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM), Airlock Module/ Multiple Docking Adapter (AM/MDA) and solar arrays were delivered to the MSOB for pre-launch testing in late 1972. The checkouts included a docking test with CSM-116 and the AM/MDA. A special clean room was built in the MSOB for the ATM testing. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-19-2019 04:24 AM
Photo KSC-73P-33 dated January 30, 1973 shows the Skylab ATM being prepared to be moved from the MSOB to the VAB. CSM-116 can be seen in the background. CSM-117 was also in the MSOB at the time. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-19-2019 08:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by neo1022:
Still looking for ... flight readiness dates
Flight Readiness Test completion dates from NASA SP-4011:
- April 5, 1973 (Skylab 2)
- June 29, 1973 (Skylab 3)
- September 5, 1973 (Skylab Rescue mission)
- October 11, 1973 (Skylab 4)
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-31-2019 08:12 AM
CSM-110 (for Apollo 14) was also in the MSOB when KSC-70PC-537 was taken. The photo is dated October 16, 1970. The Apollo 15 and 19 missions had been cancelled the previous month. Must be LM-8 and LM-9 in the photo. |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1624
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 01-31-2019 11:48 AM
Were there any special banners/signs for the last CSM or LM? |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 02-09-2019 09:05 AM
Apollo 11 photo 69-HC-371 shows the CSM in the MSOB before the engine nozzle extension was installed. The Apollo 12 service module can be seen in the background. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 02-10-2019 10:36 AM
What CSM processing events were done in the blue test stand seen in 69-HC-371? |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-12-2019 10:44 PM
The MSOB had a low bay and a high bay. How was the LM moved from a low bay work stand to the high bay altitude chamber when the overhead cranes were at different levels? |
heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 04-13-2019 11:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
What CSM processing events were done in the blue test stand seen in 69-HC-371?
Install the engine bell. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-13-2019 12:30 PM
I had thought that maybe the engine bell was installed here.
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heng44
Member Posts: 3413
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 04-13-2019 01:25 PM
Sorry, I thought that was the blue test stand you were referring to. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 04-14-2019 11:32 AM
Actually Ed, I was referring to the large blue structure to the left of the CSM in photo 69-HC-371.Just noticed that the blue circular support base can also be seen under the CSM inside the large blue test stand in the Apollo 17 photo you posted earlier.
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 09-14-2019 02:23 PM
Photo S69-39319 shows the Apollo 12 command and service modules just prior to being mated to the SLA in the Integrated Test Stand in the MSOB. It is unusual to see the protective cover on the CSM before it was mated to the SLA. Wasn't the protective cover normally installed on the CSM/SLA after they were mated in the Integrated Test Stand? The high-gain antenna must be hidden behind the SPS engine nozzle in the photo. |
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