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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 778 (September 21, 2019)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-21-2019 03:24 AM
   
 Half a century ago this week, the three Apollo 12 astronauts participated in water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. Seen here inside a boilerplate Command Module on the deck of the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever are (left to right) Al Bean, Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon. |
Rolf
Member Posts: 21
From: Netherlands
Registered: May 2007
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posted 09-21-2019 04:15 AM
Why is CDR Conrad in the middle seat instead of CMP Gordon? |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-21-2019 04:24 AM
Probably because reentry was flown with the crew in these positions. |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 09-21-2019 09:47 AM
If you recall in "Apollo 13," for re-entry Fred Haise (LMP) as in the right seat, Jim Lovell (CDR) was in the center seat and Jack Swigert (CMP) was in the left seat. Also Mike Collins mentioned in an interview that he "was called the 'center seat man' but had the left hand seat for launch and the right hand sent for the burns, entry and other major fight plan events." |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 09-21-2019 12:27 PM
It's interesting to consider an astronaut other than the Commander taking the left seat for launch. That astronaut had critical control over whether to abort during launch by rotating the translation control (only at the left seat) to the abort position. |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 09-21-2019 12:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by randy:
Also Mike Collins mentioned in an interview...
Actually, I believe Mike said that he had the right hand seat for launch and was in the left-hand seat for reentry.
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3208
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 09-21-2019 12:46 PM
Armstrong was in the left seat for launch through TLI. Then they all switched seats. Collins was in the left seat for T&D through re-entry. |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 09-21-2019 02:30 PM
Thanks for the corrections gents! |
ManInSpace
Member Posts: 114
From: Brooklin, Ontario Canada
Registered: Feb 2018
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posted 09-21-2019 06:43 PM
Yet again, another fine submission that provides a unique look at space history.In this case I am prompted to ask a question, so that I can learn something new. I was under the (obviously wrong) impression that boilerplates were essentially empty vehicles used to validate boosters, recovery systems and aerodynamic loads with at most a data/telemetry package onboard. This photo shows what appears to be a fully equipped interior. I would be interested in all feedback from fellow members regarding these vehicles; in particular from those who worked on the program back in the day. |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 09-22-2019 03:02 AM
Boilerplates were essentially used for a variety of reasons and many were not just empty replicas containing occasionally test equipment. The photo at the head of this thread is most likely to be Apollo boilerplate BP-1102A and was taken on 20th August 1969 during open water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 09-22-2019 06:42 AM
If you read my report about the Apollo 15 control panels, you will see that at times even flown hardware could be found in this water egress trainer. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-22-2019 11:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
...was taken on 20th August 1969 during open water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico.
Actually the date was September 20, 1969.
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moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 09-23-2019 01:44 AM
Ed, I stand corrected but there was an open water test with the Apollo 12 crew on the date I mentioned using BIG suits. [NASA S69-52990] |
ManInSpace
Member Posts: 114
From: Brooklin, Ontario Canada
Registered: Feb 2018
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posted 09-23-2019 01:18 PM
My thanks to Eddie (moorouge) and John (space1) for your responses.I read John's piece and found it very informative. I was aware of components being reused; but had no idea as to the extent of those endeavours, in particular the use of Apollo switches for the Shuttle program. Time and time again I am impressed by the depth of knowledge available on this Board and the willingness of its' members to take the time to assist others. |
cmj1964
Member Posts: 11
From: Broomfield, Colorado, USA
Registered: Mar 2013
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posted 09-23-2019 04:25 PM
My old Apollo NASA organization, Landing and Recovery Division, was responsible for the Apollo egress trainer, BP-1102A. It was built as an empty boilerplate like it sister BP-1101A by Air Materiel Command in San Antonio in 1964/65. Before it was used as an astronaut trainer, its interior was outfitted by the Technical Services Division shop at NASA-Houston/MSC. I've written a story/report about BP-1102A on the LRD website. BP-1102A is currently on display next to the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Air and Space Museum |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-24-2019 06:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by moorouge:
Ed, I stand corrected but there was an open water test with the Apollo 12 crew on the date I mentioned using BIG suits. [NASA S69-52990]
I have that print as well and it is dated September 20, like all the other prints I have of the activity. September 20 is also the date given in the training summary for the Gulf egress training. On August 20 the crew was in the Command Module Simulator. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3208
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 09-24-2019 06:45 AM
This S69-52990 photo is also dated September 20.
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moorouge
Member Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 09-24-2019 01:06 PM
Ed, see this PDF as linked to in the reply from cmj1964 to the photo I referred to - that has the August date I initially mentioned. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-25-2019 03:59 AM
I see where you found that date, but it is wrong.Actually, the date of the "Apollo 10" photo in that pdf is wrong also. They were training as Apollo 7 backups in that photo and the date is August 6, 1968. |
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