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Author Topic:   Apollo spacecraft cabin temperatures
Explorer1
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Posts: 180
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2019

posted 06-13-2019 01:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Explorer1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know what the crew cabin temperature was suppose to be aboard the Apollo Command Module during lunar missions?

And also what the temperature was suppose to be aboard the Lunar Module when on the Moon?

It has often been mentioned how cold it was aboard the Apollo 13 Lunar Module and I have wondered why this is. I can only infer that the heat output from the LM environmental control system was overextended in that it was designed to provide a certain temperature with the confines of the LM cabin. But with the docking tunnel open between the CSM and LM, the heat generated from the LM ECS was cooled by the cold air coming from the Command Module in its mothballed state. Is this interpretation correct?

Mike Dixon
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Posts: 1428
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-13-2019 02:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Dixon   Click Here to Email Mike Dixon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No electrical systems on the CM for a start and the LEM operating (by necessity) at low power levels.

Jim Behling
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Posts: 1488
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 06-13-2019 10:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Explorer1:
I can only infer that the heat output from the LM environmental control system
It doesn't provide any heating, only cooling. Spacecraft in cis-lunar space generally don't have trouble generating heat via avionics and heat rejection is all that is needed. The LM was powered down to minimal levels and with the CSM not powered, the vehicle didn't generate enough heat for comfort.

oly
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Posts: 971
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 06-13-2019 10:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Cabin temperature was maintained at a level comfortable for the crew in shirtsleeve dress.

The Environmental Control System used electricity and water generated by the fuel cells. Detail on how the ECS worked can be found here.

Following the O2 tank failure on the Apollo 13 service module, all available stored electrical power in the command module batteries as conserved for use during re-entry.

The lunar module cabin temperature was also maintained at a level comfortable for a shirtsleeve dress standard by the LM ECS. The cabin temp was adjustable, and the ECS could heat or cool the cabin as required.

MSC announced the beginning of CM environmental control system tests at the AiResearch Manufacturing Company simulating prelaunch, ascent, orbital, and reentry pressure effects. Earlier in the month, analysis had indicated that the CM interior temperature could be maintained between 294 K (70 degrees F) and 300 K (80 degrees F) during all flight operations, although prelaunch temperatures might rise to a maximum of 302 K (84 degrees F).

oly
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Posts: 971
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 06-13-2019 10:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Behling:
It doesn't provide any heating, only cooling.
CSM ECS cabin heating is provided by the first stage loop of the glycol heat exchanger, cooling by the second stage loop.

The LM system used sublimation for cabin cooling.

Explorer1
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Posts: 180
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2019

posted 08-07-2019 07:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Explorer1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know what the temperature was inside the Apollo 13 lunar module when it was being used as a "lifeboat"? How how did this temperature compare to the nominal temperature the LM was suppose to have?

And I assume the low temperature was the result of saving power in the LM. Or was it the result of cool air coming in from the powered down command module?

(Just to be clear, I am asking about a thermostat reading of the interior temperature of the LM.)

prastila
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Registered: Jul 2019

posted 08-08-2019 12:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for prastila     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In the same way, I wonder what the cabin temperature was when re-entry was made back to Earth?

oly
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Posts: 971
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015

posted 08-08-2019 03:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Command Module Cabin Temperature History (degrees Fahrenheit).
quote:
Originally posted by Explorer1:
Does anyone know what the temperature was inside the Apollo 13 lunar module when it was being used as a "lifeboat"?
Apollo Expeditions to the Moon, chapter 13.5.
quote:
How how did this temperature compare to the nominal temperature the LM was suppose to have?
Cabin temperature 75 degrees F (source).

Space Cadet Carl
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Posts: 225
From: Lake Orion, Michigan
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 08-08-2019 01:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Space Cadet Carl   Click Here to Email Space Cadet Carl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Interesting that prelaunch CM cabin temperature sitting on the pad was projected to reach as high as 84 degrees F. For a Florida summertime launch like Apollo 15 it may have become a bit warm inside there.

Jim Behling
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Posts: 1488
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 08-08-2019 02:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That wouldn't have mattered to the crew, since they were in their suits on the suit loop.
quote:
Originally posted by oly:
CSM ECS cabin heating is provided by the first stage loop of the glycol heat exchanger, cooling by the second stage loop.
Since it wouldn't have provided any heat, only cooling was needed.

All times are CT (US)

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