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Author
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Topic: History's American Restoration: Gemini AMU
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-21-2014 01:12 PM
   
Next on The History Channel's American Restoration ("Astro-nuts and Bolts"): When a 1964 NASA Jet Pack signed by astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Gene Cernan blasts into the shop, Rick and his team prepare for an out-of-this-world restoration.  Premiere Date: Jan. 21, 2014: 10:00-10:31 p.m. EST Upcoming Airings: - Jan. 22, 2014 - 02:01-02:32 a.m. EST
- Jan. 28, 2014 - 11:02-11:32 p.m. EST
- Jan. 29, 2014 - 03:03-03:33 a.m. EST
(This episode continues a storyline that began on "Pawn Stars" on Jan. 16.) |
LM1
Member Posts: 667
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-21-2014 09:18 PM
Congratulations Robert! You looked great on American Restoration. |
DSeuss5490
Member Posts: 299
From: Columbus, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 01-21-2014 09:18 PM
So I fail to see why this item would need to be restored. It's not in bad condition. They are talking about replacing parts and decals to make it look like new. As a collector I would rather have the jet pack with all of its original components, not reproductions. And at a cost of $9,000 for the restore? Perhaps I am missing something. Oh wow — there's ROBERT! Great job and great advice! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-21-2014 10:00 PM
Thanks! History Channel had me under a non-disclosure agreement such that I couldn't share that I was going to be on the show until after it aired. It was fun to film — and as you can guess, there was a lot more that Rick and I discussed that didn't make it onto the show. I was glad to be able to help and from what I saw, they followed most of my recommendations (there was one detail that surprised me at the end, but obviously Andy was happy with the result). Rick and his crew (and family) are great people, and it was clear they appreciated the history behind the AMU.  |
Constellation One
Member Posts: 119
From: Lorain, Ohio, USA
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 01-21-2014 10:22 PM
Last time I was in Vegas, I stopped in to discuss a non-space related project.All the folks treated me great. They really seem "down home". I felt bad. Their dog sneaked up behind me and I didn't know it. I accidentally step on him! Come to think of it, I still have heard about my project... I haven't seen the episode yet. Looking forward to it! |
LM1
Member Posts: 667
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-21-2014 10:56 PM
At the end of the restoration they didn't show what happened to the autographs of Aldrin and Cernan. Did they paint over them? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-21-2014 11:04 PM
I didn't see the final product in-person but my understanding is that the autographs were left intact. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 01-22-2014 02:36 AM
I was thrilled to see you on the show Robert. Glad they called in an expert who knows what he's talking about.  Hope the leads to many more opportunities for you to consult. |
LM1
Member Posts: 667
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-22-2014 08:14 AM
Did you meet the owner of the item? What value would you place on the item? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 08:58 AM
I did not meet the owner, Andy, at the store; we filmed on separate days. That said, he is a long-time cS member. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 09:52 AM
The full episode can now be watched online via the show's website.I had brought with me to the shop a few photos and other reference material for Rick to use during the restoration. Before leaving, I asked he sign one of them for me:  |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 11:12 AM
I have also had the privelege of visiting Ricks Restorations and meeting Rick. He is as warm and friendly in person as he is on the show. He also autographed a T-shirt for free, which I take and display when I have my car in a car show. |
PeterO
Member Posts: 399
From: North Carolina
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 01-22-2014 02:26 PM
Great job, Robert, and I'm glad to see they took your advice. Since the AMU only flew once, is this a flight spare, training unit, engineering mockup, or something else? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 02:29 PM
The flight article burned to a cinder on reentry (it was jettisoned). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 02:42 PM
The unit was identified as a flight prototype. It had ink stamps on numerous panels that read "DO NOT FLY." Based on the basic schematics I had for the flight unit and my inspection of the AMU at Rick's shop, it appeared to have an intact and complete interior. When I recommended to Rick that he not try to further disassemble the AMU it was because of the complexity of the components. By the way, with regards to the Gemini 9 flight unit, I only just heard this yesterday so I haven't had to time to research it, but I am told that the front pack continued to relay telemetry until very late in the reentry, allowing the ground to track it on its way down. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-22-2014 02:54 PM
I'll look forward, Robert, in viewing the episode. A nice consulting job with lots of fun, it looks to be -- Way to go Robert! I've also got lots of similar photos of the Gemini-era AMU, including a series of close-up shots. Let me check my original GT-9 papers and files, if you don't mind, in researching the relay telemetry feature of the backpack in seeing what I can come up with. Hopefully something, huh?
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JBoe
Member Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 01-22-2014 06:42 PM
I just watched it on my DVR, the restoration turned out great. Congrats Robert on your cameo and imparting your knowledge to the masses! |
dabolton
Member Posts: 419
From: Seneca, IL, US
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 01-22-2014 07:00 PM
Where was the AMU stored during launch? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 07:24 PM
From the Gemini Astronaut Maneuvering Unit Ready Reference Handbook: Because of the stowage limitations, the AMU backpack is carried aloft in the Gemini's equipment adapter section outside the crew compartment in the aft portion of the spacecraft.The smaller chest pack is carried inside the crew compartment. This photo shows a mock-up of the adapter equipment section as configured for Gemini 9. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 01-22-2014 08:26 PM
Very interesting program. It looks like a great restoration. I have never seen the show before. I wish they had spent more time showing the actual work, but I guess these shows like to show the "drama" going on in the workshop! LOL.Too bad you didn't have a cS patch or shirt on. Or was the mention of cS not allowed? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 09:38 PM
As is normal with television productions, it was requested I wear no logos. collectSPACE is however, thanked in the credits. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2912
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-22-2014 10:52 PM
From a quick research check into my old Gemini files of handbooks, news releases and press reports, the U.S. Air Force Experiment D-12 was one of three AMUs produced by Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., of Dallas, TX, for the Department of Defense (U.S. Air Force Systems Command).If successfully test-flown by Cernan on GT-9A, the one-man backpack style "miniature spacecraft," would had became the first automatically stablized extravehicular manned excursion into space. Unfortunately, though, I wasn't able to find anything pertaining to the AMU's Extravehicular Life Support System (ELSS) chest pack that was discarded by Cernan once a fly-around EVA had been ruled a "no go." During Gemini 9A, the AMU's backpack was never released from the spacecraft's adapter equipment module, but I don't think the ELSS chest pack was equipped for telemetry tracking once it had been jettisoned away from Cernan. I believe it was only the AMU backpack that contained the communications and telemetry subsystems, while the ELSS chest pack mainly contained the life support system hardware and emergency oxygen supply, but nothing telemetry related. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-22-2014 11:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
During Gemini 9A, the AMU's backpack was never released from the spacecraft's adapter equipment module...
There's an interesting discrepancy between reports on the fate of the AMU. In "The Last Man on the Moon," Cernan writes: We jettisoned the AMU backpack before going to sleep to get rid of its package of explosive fuel, which was nothing less than a cache of live ammunition. Captain John Donahue with Air Force Systems Command reports otherwise in his post-flight report on "Experiment D-12, Astronaut Maneuvering Unit": The AMU was left in the adapter because of the unknowns associated with jettisoning it in a postdonning configuration. Tests had shown there was no potentially hazardous condition in the backpack, with the possible exception of the propulsion system. An unsafe condition would occur only if the pressure of the H2O2 [hydrogen peroxide] propellant increased significantly. Adequate instrumentation was available to detect an impending unsafe condition in the H2O2 (telemetry, cockpit gages, and cockpit warning light). Previous flight data had shown that the H2O2 was extremely stable. The H2O2 pressure rise from EVA through retrofire was no greater than expected, and it was not necessary to jettison the backpack. Elsewhere in the same report, Donahue states it again: The AMU remained in the adapter with the systems activated for flight until retrofire. With regards to telemetry, Donahue wrote: Although the AMU was transmitting telemetry data following power-up during the predonning activity, failure of the Gemini data recorder precluded quantitative analysis of AMU performance. |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 01-24-2014 12:10 PM
Donahue's statements also appear in reports by Peter Van Schaik, who was the AMU development project engineer/manager for the Air Force Aero Propulsion Lab here. Actually, I'd venture to guess that Donahue was borrowing Van Schaik's language, as there are many similiarities. In any case, he also says in several places that the AMU was left aboard and there was little danger from the hydrogen peroxide propellant. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-24-2014 01:52 PM
Robert, how were you approached to appear on the show? Were the producers already aware of cS? |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 01-25-2014 04:54 AM
The Gemini IX Mission Report, in section 8.1, gives lots of interesting details about the AMU. It notes that the AMU was kept inside the equipment adapter "until adapter separation." (I presume this means it was not separately jettisoned, but was still attached while the equipment adapter was jettisoned.) The report explains that there was concern that if the partially deployed AMU were jettisoned it might get caught inside the adapter. The activated AMU propulsion system could be monitored for any problems.The ELSS (Extravehicular Life Support System) chest pack was essentially the same type of unit used from Gemini 8-12. It was stowed in an open-frame stowage structure between the two seats. I believe it was jettisoned on each flight in which it was used (Gemini 9-12) during a stand-up EVA. It would not need its own telemetry for any reason.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-25-2014 05:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Greggy_D:
Robert, how were you approached to appear on the show?
My initial contact with the producers was through a referral. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-25-2014 05:21 PM
Congratulations, Robert! This is absolutely fantastic. Well done. |
jvertrees
Member Posts: 108
From: Crestwood, MO
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-22-2014 04:22 PM
I just saw the episode about a week ago. I was surprised to see you (Robert) walk on screen. In the show they said the collector was called by a junk dealer saying the AMU showed up in a junk yard for scrap metal. I cry foul on that story. Many of the astronauts and NASA employees have been scavengers from day one. NASA as an organization has always had a clear idea on the value of their artifacts for education and museum display. No way an AMU fell into a junk bin, especially with moonwalker signatures. It was already in a collection. Is there any chance the true story of where the AMU was really discovered will come out?It was a very interesting show. Those items are so rare I don't have a problem at all with the way Rick restored it making it look new. Integrity of material was closely adhered to and the final product looked ready to fly. I think those items are so rare it's the owners call to restore or not restore. Only degrading the item or using different materials could lessen the financial value. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-22-2014 04:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jvertrees:
No way an AMU fell into a junk bin, especially with moonwalker signatures.
The AMU's owner, Andy, had the astronauts sign the panel. Otherwise, the story, while simplified for the sake of brevity, is true. The AMU was originally recovered from a scrapyard in Houston. |
jvertrees
Member Posts: 108
From: Crestwood, MO
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 06-10-2014 04:46 PM
If you say so Robert I'll go with it. The AMU did at one time find it's way to a junk yard for scrap. Seems unlikely but many more stranger things have happened. So glad someone was on the ball and got the unit back into circulation. It will make a great museum piece some day. Although personally I prefer it stay in private hands and be loaned to museums for special events. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 03-16-2019 11:20 AM
Can you believe I only just saw this on BlazeTV yesterday! |
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