View allAll Photos Tagged commandmodule
“Apollo’s dressing room--Spacecraft systems are installed and checked in this giant clean room--the world’s largest--at North American Aviation’s Space Division, Downey, Calif. Room has more than 2,000,000 cubic feet of meticulously controlled air space. Here subsystems are installed and the completed command module is test with service module and launch escape system, then flown to Kennedy Space Center, Fla.”
Reasonable to deduce photo date as 20 October 1967?
Both Command Modules (and their respective Service Modules?) are unidentified. Is the curved panel on the dolly that of one of these Service Modules?
Catalog #: Casson_0080
Title: Apollo Capsule
Photo Credit: North American Aviation Inc., Space and Information Systems Division, Photographic Department
Year: 4/20/1966
Collection: Norm Casson Collection
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
View of Apollo Command Module Boilerplate 23 (BP-23) and LES atop the Little Joe II launch vehicle at Complex 36, WSMR.
PictionID:53812880 - Catalog:14_031241 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Space Science; Rendezvous Simulator Date: 12/12/1962 - Filename:14_031241.tif - - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
On display at Kennedy Space Center
#apollo11 #space #lunarlanding #nasa #kennedyspacecenter #astronaut #saturnV #rocket #thefinalfrontier #commandmodule
As dawn breaks, Apollo 10 gently floats down into the Pacific Ocean, 395 miles east of Pago Pago. The pinpoint landing was so accurate that the blinking tracking lights on the spacecraft were visible from the USS Princeton during the descent.
Signed by USN Cdr. C.B. Smiley, pilot of the Apollo 10 Astronaut/Prime(?) recovery helicopter, good old number 66...from which this photo may very well have been taken.
In comparison with multiple online Apollo 10 capsule descent photographs, the image may be reversed.
A thoroughly enjoyable interview here:
www.podomatic.com/podcasts/conversationswithapollo/episod...
Sadly, Cdr. Smiley is no longer with us.
“The 26-foot-high Apollo 12 spacecraft is moved from a test stand in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building for mating with an adapter section. Following the final step the spacecraft will be moved to Launch Complex 34 and mated with the Uprated Saturn I launch vehicle in preparation for the upcoming AS-204 mission. Three astronauts will man the conical command module portion of the spacecraftin this first manned Apollo mission. The service module, or the rocket propulsion unit for the spacecraft, will be enclosed in the adapter section during early phases of flight.”
Per the below:
"Apollo Spacecraft 012 Command/Service Module is moved from H-134 to east stokes for mating to the Saturn Lunar Module Adapter No. 05 in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. S/C 012 will be flown on the Apollo/Saturn 204 mission."
spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo1/html/s...
“The first stage of the Apollo 10 Saturn V space vehicle is hoisted above the transfer aisle in preparation for erection on a mobile launcher within High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The erection of the 138-foot long stage marks the first use of Mobile Launcher 3 and High Bay 2. Apollo 10 will be piloted by Astronauts Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan. In the foreground are the mated command, service, and lunar modules for Apollo 9.”
Another CSM/SLA stack can be seen on the far left, most likely(?) some combination of a facilities verification vehicle.
The Missile and Space Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/).
From the website:
Apollo 15 was the fourth mission to land astronauts on the moon and the only Apollo mission with an all-Air Force crew. Col. David R. Scott, Lt. Col. James B. Irwin and Maj. Alfred M. Worden flew the command module on display, named Endeavor, to the moon in 1971. The craft is named after the ship that carried Capt. James Cook on his famous 18th century scientific voyage.
After launch on July 26, 1971, the crew spent four days traveling to the moon. On July 30, Scott and Irwin landed the lunar module Falcon on the moon, and spent about 67 hours on the lunar surface. Worden remained aboard Endeavor in lunar orbit conducting experiments and taking photographs. The crew returned to Earth on Aug. 7, 1971, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. The successful mission lasted just over 12 days.
The three major Apollo spacecraft components were the command module, the service module and the lunar module. The service module carried equipment, plus support and propulsion systems, while the lunar module took two crewman to the moon's surface. Like earlier Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, the Apollo command module re-entered Earth's atmosphere blunt-end first. A protective heat shield made of epoxy resins in a metal honeycomb charred away as the spacecraft slowed in the atmosphere, shedding the nearly 3,000-degree (F) heat of re-entry. Parachutes then slowed the spacecraft for a landing in the Pacific Ocean. One of Apollo 15's three parachutes failed, and Endeavor hit the water somewhat faster than the anticipated 29-36 mph, but no crewmen were injured.
The command module, made by North American Rockwell Corp., is 10 feet, 7 inches tall, 12 feet, 10 inches wide, and 12,952 pounds at launch. The space for three crewmen inside is about 210 cubic feet, about the same as an average minivan. The crew compartment contained navigation equipment, controls and displays, and other equipment. The lower part of the spacecraft housed plumbing, wiring, fuel and reaction control engines, while the upper part contained re-entry parachutes and a hatch for passage to the lunar module. The hatch on the side of the spacecraft was used for entry before launch and exit after returning to Earth, and is located above the middle of three side-by-side astronaut couches.
Catalog #: Casson_0021
Title: Little Joe Rocket Testing
Photo Credit: North American Aviation Inc., Space and Information Systems Division, Photographic Department
Year: 10/23/1965
Collection: Norm Casson Collection
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Title: Saturn V
Catalog #: 08_01225
Additional Information: Launch Vehicle
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Jim Lovell, as the Commander/Senior, is the last to leave Odyssey.
This was the last Apollo recovery mission for the iconic "Helicopter 66", which was sadly lost at sea in 1975. Her previous recoveries were for Apollo missions 8, 10, 11 and 12...not too shabby a line-up. The capsule-shaped decals representing each of those are discernible in this photograph...located under the side windshield, behind the "E".
Outstanding!
“RECOVERY AREA, SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
APOLLO 13 RECOVERY—- The Apollo 13 Command Module, with Astronauts James A. Lovell Jr., John L. Swigert Jr., and Fred W. Haise Jr. aboard, approaches touch down in the South Pacific Ocean to conclude safely a perilous space flight. The three crewman were picked up by helicopter and flown to the USS Iwo Jima, prime recovery ship for the mission. Splashdown occurred at 12:07:44 p.m. (CST), April 17, 1970, about four nautical miles from the Iwo Jima. Though the Apollo 13 moon landing was cancelled, a disastrous loss of three astronauts was averted.”
The most awaited & prayed-for sight of three fully deployed ringsail main parachutes in history: Apollo 13 Command Module Odyssey with Jim Lovell, Fred Haise & Jack Swigert aboard - alive and well.
PictionID:44725739 - Catalog:14_013442 - Title:Apollo Details: Apollo Proposal; Map of U.S. for Apollo Date: 09/22/1961 - Filename:14_013439.TIF - - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Out of this world public domain images from NASA. All original images and many more can be found from the NASA Image Library
Higher resolutions with no attribution required can be downloaded: www.rawpixel.com/board/418580/nasa
Apollo 11 Command Module, CM-107 (Columbia) recovery operations aboard aircraft carrier CVN-12 (U.S.S. Hornet), July 24, 1969.
Catalog #: Casson_0031
Title: Apollo Capsule
Photo Credit: North American Aviation Inc., Space and Information Systems Division, Photographic Department
Year: 5/23/1966
Collection: Norm Casson Collection
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
PictionID:44725763 - Catalog:14_013444 - Title:Atlas Details: Drawing; Space Cabin Simulator Date: 10/02/1961 - Filename:14_013441.TIF - - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Pima Air and Space Museum
NORTH AMERICAN ROCKWELL
APOLLO COMMAND MODULE (MOCKUP)
The Apollo command module is the NASA spacecraft that flew astronauts from the Earth to the Moon and back.
In 1961, NASA awarded the contract for the command module to then North American Aviation. It was a continuation of the "capsule" spacecraft design used in the Mercury and Gemini Programs. The Apollo command module was larger to accommodate three astronauts and used advanced computers and navigational equipment on the longer lunar flights. For most of the flight, the command module was attached to the service module which contained the propulsion, environmental, electrical, control and fuel systems.
Unlike the previous NASA spacecraft, the Apollo command module was built with a docking assembly and hatch so that it could dock with the lunar module. The lunar module would detach and land on the moon with two astronauts leaving the command module and its pilot in lunar orbit until their return.
Thirty-five command modules were built, with 15 of them being launched on manned space missions. These included eleven Apollo missions, three Skylab missions, and the Apollo Soyuz Test Project. The rest of the modules were used in various Earthbound tests or unmanned test flights.
This command module mockup was built by North American Rockwell for the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite during their reporting of the Apollo missions. Made up of surplus command module panels, equipment, couches and other parts, it gave television viewers a visual of the interior of the spacecraft. During the Apollo missions, there was limited live and recorded footage for use by the networks. Mockups, models, graphics and other visual aids were important tools for reporters to help fill in the visual narrative of an Apollo mission.
The mockup was later used in the Ron Howard & Tom Hanks HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. In the miniseries, the mockup was used by Emmett Seaborn, a fictitious news anchor with the fictitious NTC network.
Technical Specifications (Command Module Without Service Module):
Length: 30 ft-10 in
Diameter: 10 ft-7 in
Interior 210 cubic feet
Weight: 12.251 Ibs. (without service module)
Crew: 3
The Apollo 4 command module on display inside the INFINITY Science Center and NASA visitor center for the John C. Stennis Space Center near Pearlington, Mississippi. Apollo 4 launched on 9 November 1967 from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Excellent close-up view of Apollo 9 Command Module 'Gumdrop', as it sits on a dolly on the deck of the USS Guadalcanal, shortly after being hoisted from the Atlantic Ocean, 13 March 1969.
Also:
Close-up view of the Apollo 9 Command Module (CM) as it sets on dolly on the deck of the USS Guadalcanal just after being hoisted from the water. The Apollo 9 spacecraft, with astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart aboard, splashed down at 12:00:53 p.m. (EST), March 13, 1969, only 4.5 nautical miles from the aircraft carrier to conclude a successful 10-day Earth-orbital mission in space.
In color:
spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo9/html/s...
The Apollo 1 Command Module, CM-012, is loaded aboard an Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy…at (I assume) an airstrip near/at(?) North American Aviation’s Downey, California plant, August 24, 1966.
The ill-fated spacecraft was received at KSC on August 26, 1966.
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Apollo Boilerplate
The Apollo Boilerplate came into use during the testing phases of the Apollo capsule, and remained active throughout the Apollo space program. The boilerplate was made of steel and simulated the size, weight, shape, and center of gravity of a manned Apollo capsule. The internal section of the boilerplate remained empty, though it was insulated with cork to prevent overheating. The goal of the boilerplate was to test the design of the parachute, drag, and impact tests. Instruments were also set up on the boilerplate to take several different measurements including temperature, heat rates, static loads and aerodynamics. It was also used by U.S. Navy recovery personnel to train for flotation collar installation and retrieval procedures. The use of the Apollo boilerplate ended in 1972 with the conclusion of the Apollo program.
This boilerplate was used for water landing tests and rescue training.
Specifications
Height: 10' 9"
Diameter: 13'
Weight: 10,000 lbs
Operational Life: 1963-1972
Inside the Apollo 10 Command Module, Science Museum, London. Panel 2 of the Main Display Console is visible with the computer display and keyboard on the left.
Astronaut Ronald E. Evans is photographed performing extravehicular activity during the Apollo 17 spacecraft's trans-Earth coast. During his EVA, Evans, command module pilot, retrieved film cassettes from the lunar sounder, mapping camera and panoramic camera. The cylindrical object at Evans' left side is the mapping camera cassette. The total time for the trans-Earth EVA was one hour, seven minutes, 18 seconds, starting at ground elapsed time of 257:25 (2:28 p.m.) and ending at G.E.T. of 258:42 (3:35 p.m.) on Sunday, Dec. 17, 1972.
spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo17/html/...
Oddly, the faint, blurred and basically illegible text on the verso is also reversed - if I'm not mistaken. I've never seen that before. How the hell does that happen? Good thing the photo is drop-dead gorgeous. ;-)
Post-flight documentation photo of Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia's two drogue parachute mortars. The contoured hand rail-like attachment running horizontally between & below the mortars is actually a parachute riser protector. Makes sense, what with the two forward RCS pitch control nozzles immediately below it. The yellow/braided rope-like loop is the sea recovery sling. Also visible along the bottom of the photo are the corners of the two shutters affixed (and taped) over the rendezvous windows. Along with a bunch of other cool & critical stuff that I'm clueless on.
Compare/contrast with:
ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?id=NASM-A19700102000-NASM2...
Credit: NASM website
And of course...THIS!
3d.si.edu/apollo11cm/boxes/play-cm-2016-09-26/cm-exterior...
CSM-118
This is the Skylab 4 Command Module, which served as the crew cabin for going to and from Skylab, the first U.S. space station. Skylab 4, the third and last of the Skylab missions, was launched on November 16, 1973 with Command and Service Modules CSM-118. The three-person crew, Gerald P. Carr, William R. Pogue, and Edward G. Gibson, spent 84 days on orbit, landing on February 8, 1974. The mission included the observation of the comet Kohoutek, among numerous experiments. The crew completed 1,214 Earth orbits and four extra-vehicular activities totaling 22 hours, 13 minutes.
pictionid63425845 - titlepaul pitt collection image - catalogpaul a pitt056 - filenamepaul pitt collection imageImage from the Paul Pitt Collection--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--
"Lunar Module footpads protruding from its launch adapter, the Apollo 11 spacecraft was erected atop its Saturn V launch vehicle in the Vehicle Assembly Building today (14 April 1969)..."
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
Apollo Boilerplate
The Apollo Boilerplate came into use during the testing phases of the Apollo capsule, and remained active throughout the Apollo space program. The boilerplate was made of steel and simulated the size, weight, shape, and center of gravity of a manned Apollo capsule. The internal section of the boilerplate remained empty, though it was insulated with cork to prevent overheating. The goal of the boilerplate was to test the design of the parachute, drag, and impact tests. Instruments were also set up on the boilerplate to take several different measurements including temperature, heat rates, static loads and aerodynamics. It was also used by U.S. Navy recovery personnel to train for flotation collar installation and retrieval procedures. The use of the Apollo boilerplate ended in 1972 with the conclusion of the Apollo program.
This boilerplate was used for water landing tests and rescue training.
Specifications
Height: 10' 9"
Diameter: 13'
Weight: 10,000 lbs
Operational Life: 1963-1972
Catalog #: Casson_0013
Title: Northrop Ventura Block II Upper Deck Mock Up
Photo Credit: North American Aviation Inc., Space and Information Systems Division, Photographic Department
Year: 12/21/1966
Collection: Norm Casson Collection
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Post-recovery documentation photo of Apollo 17 Command Module 'America'/CM-114.
Hey...where'd the Beta Cloth U.S flag & mission emblem go...that were affixed to the Optical Unit Assembly???
NASA invited members of the media to view the Orion spacecraft which will be used for the Artemis 1 Moon mission, which is currently scheduled for 2021.
The spacecraft has successfully completed four months of testing at NASA’s Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio, and is scheduled to return to Kennedy Space Center for final assembly.
The NASA Glenn Research Center’s Plum Brook Station’s Space Environments Complex (SEC) is home to the largest space simulation vacuum and electromagnetic interference chamber in the world.
If you want to get the attention of any Smithsonian Museum security guard, just lay down on the floor. This worked for me. Elapsed time about 10 seconds.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Skylab 4 Command Module, which served as the crew cabin for going to and from Skylab, was the first U.S. space station. Skylab 4, the third and last of the Skylab missions, was launched on November 16, 1973 with Command and Service Modules CSM-118. The three-person crew, Gerald P. Carr, William R. Pogue, and Edward G. Gibson, spent 84 days on orbit, landing on February 8, 1974. The mission included the observation of the comet Kohoutek, among numerous experiments. The crew completed 1,214 Earth orbits and four extra-vehicular activities totaling 22 hours, 13 minutes.
CSM-118 was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in 1975.
"A model of a two-man lunar landing "bug" developed by Martin Company of Baltimore simulated the critical rendezvous and docking portions of a manned mission to the moon. The two-man "bug" featured a round docking ring into which a simulated nose cone of an Apollo spacecraft could be inserted as part of a rendezvous and docking maneuver. The "bug" could move up to about 25 degrees about three axes of motion--roll, pitch, and yaw. The nose cone of the simulated Apollo spacecraft approaching a docking maneuver.
--Martin Company photo."
The above is an extract from "THE APOLLO SPACECRAFT: A CHRONOLOGY - VOLUME II"
My original:
Interesting Martin Co. version of a LEM/CM docking concept.
I'm assuming the conical cage-like fixture is to assist in guiding the two spacecraft together. Possibly taking into account the potential 'imprecision' of controlling the finer translations of a spacecraft in the wild? Possibly, as this photograph was taken several years prior to the successful rendezvous and close quarters station-keeping demonstrated by Gemini 6 & 7.
7" x 9".
PictionID:53109790 - Catalog:14_030915 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Command Module Mock Up with Men in Space Suits Date: 05/01/1961 - Filename:14_030915.tif - - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum