Posts: 6079 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 12-07-2020 07:44 AM
Do we know if the Heat Flow Experiment onboard Apollo 14 command module "Kitty Hawk" and onboard Apollo 17 command module "America" were exactly the same set-up? In other words, exact same hardware flown twice?
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1583 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 12-07-2020 08:08 AM
Are you asking whether the same actual hardware flew twice or a duplicate set flew on the second mission?
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4739 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2020 08:46 AM
If the same (repurposed) hardware I don't know but the configuration was not identical, the overlay for displaying radial measurements was modified from four 90 degree quadrants to eight 45 degree sectors (presumably to increase reading accuracy).
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1583 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 12-07-2020 12:14 PM
quote:Originally posted by Philip: ...exact same hardware flown twice?
They would not have returned the hardware to Earth to be reused. Not enough room for such.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45385 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2020 12:28 PM
The Heat Flow and Convection Demonstration hardware was conducted aboard the command module and according to the Catalog of Apollo Experiment Operations was returned to Earth by both missions.
Ron Evans retained hardware from the Apollo 17 experiment (in addition to the Omega Speedmaster he used as a timing device) among his mementos.
The experiment catalog notes the differences between the Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 packages and implies they used different hardware: "Some changes were made from the A-14 model to this [A-17] unit..."
Comparing photos of the two, there appears to be some minor layout differences (a better image of the Apollo 14 experiment would help):
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4739 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2020 04:35 PM
Both were returned (integrated into the CM).
Here is Kitty Hawk DAC footage of the experiment:
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1583 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 12-08-2020 09:26 AM
Sorry, I thought it was the lunar heat flow experiment.
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 2019 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 12-08-2020 08:09 PM
Me too Jim.
Dietrich Member
Posts: 74 From: Registered: Jul 2009
posted 12-11-2020 12:51 AM
The same photo of the Apollo 14 experiment can be found in better resolution in NASA TM-X 64735 "Heat Flow and Convection Demonstration (Apollo 14)", available on the NASA Technical Report Server, Figure 1 page 7.
Philip Member
Posts: 6079 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 12-11-2020 04:55 AM
Thanks for all the superb and interesting replies. It looks like the A14 Kitty Hawk HFE didn't come with an Omega Speedmaster...
posted 12-07-2020 07:44 AM
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