A beautiful 1970 McDonnell Douglas Corporation/McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company cutaway depiction of the Skylab cluster in earth orbit.

It’s so damned good looking, along with the look of the clouds, that makes me think it’s by the superbly talented Ted Brown.

8.5” x 10.9375”.

“During Apollo 4, the Service Module main engine was used to accelerate the unmanned spacecraft so that its reentry velocity would be comparable to that at the end of a manned lunar mission.”

The above, I assume, is per the caption/accompanying press slug associated with the linked photo below.

Although unnumbered, the work is clearly by Russ Arasmith. As such, it was likely used in press releases & therefore, handled accordingly. Despite this, it has retained its high gloss.

Astronaut Vance D. Brand, command module pilot of the American Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) crew, is seen at the controls of the Apollo Command Module during the joint ASTP docking in Earth orbit mission.

NASA Media Usage Guidelines

Credit: NASA

Image Number: AST-08-499

Date: 15-24 July 1975

McDonnell Douglas Corp. artist’s concept of, for all intents & purposes, what was to become known as ‘Skylab’. If the stamped date is correct, this is possibly one of the first depictions of the “dry” Workshop configuration with integrated (deployable) Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM). NASA formally decided upon the single Saturn V-launched dry configuration during July 1969.

Although lacking a signature, being of McDonnell Douglas origin, I’m confident it’s by the immensely talented Neil Jacobe. Additionally, fairly consistent depictions of some components in preceding depictions of AAP/Skylab configurations – confirmed to be by Mr. Jacobe – provides additional confirmation.

11” x 13.75”.

As with most ‘historical’ NASA stuff, primarily imagery, it’s all over the place, with no rhyme or reason. To me, the random scattering of AAP/Skylab & offshoots are a close second/third to both that of (non-Skylab) space station & space shuttle conceptualizations.

The image, inverted, along with excellent information, is at the wonderful CAPCOM ESPACE website:

www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_US/skylab/1969.htm

boeing.archivea.com/perl/magnify_popup.pl?imageID=192184&...

“SPACE WORKSHOP — Concept of Saturn S-IVB Orbital Workshop by Douglas Aircraft Company artist shows how giant rocket will appear after it is converted into two-story experimental laboratory in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Apollo Applications Program. The S-IVB stage (right) will be launched fully fueled, carrying the docking adapter and airlock seen in center. These will give astronauts access to the rocket’s liquid hydrogen tank after propellants have been depleted and will provide a “shirtsleeve” environment inside. Astronauts will be launched separately in an Apollo vehicle, rendezvous with the S-IVB and dock as shown at left. Cutaway section of S-IVB shows floor and partitions of lightweight metal grating which will divide the tank into separate “rooms” for astronaut activities without interfering with flow of fuel during launch. The “wings,” panels of solar cells to provide electric power, are folded down against the S-IVB during launch and extended after orbit is achieved. Windmill-like structure against side of the docking adapter is the Apollo Telescope Mount which will be added to the Workshop in second phase of program. Douglas, a component of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, builds the S-IVB at its Missile & Space Systems Division, Huntington Beach, Calif., for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and is making necessary modifications to the Orbiting Workshop vehicle under MSFC direction. The airlock is being developed by the McDonnell Astronautics Company, St. Louis, Mo., under contract to NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center.”

8.5" x 11".

For some reason, unbeknownst to me at the moment, I didn't cite where the above is from...which I used in my black & white version of this photo. WTF? And I don't have it in me to track down.

Beautiful artwork by Neil Jacobe.

allsouls.tributes.com/show/Neil-Edmund-Jacobe-95410682

Credit: All Souls Mortuary website

THANK YOU Mr. Jacobe, continue to Rest In Peace.

The following wonderful extracts provide information regarding CM-007/007A, the first specifically pertaining to the circumstances of the photograph. I highly recommend reading both in their entirety:

From an article by Amy Shira Teitel for Popular Science magazine online:

”Spacecraft 007 arrived at NASA’s Manned Spaceflight Center in Houston on April 18, 1966. Designed to test the spacecraft’s post-landing systems – the crew egress, survival, communications, location, power, and ventilation systems astronauts would rely on after returning from the Moon – this test article was a Block I version of the command module with the same configuration as flight articles. There was just one key difference: in place of the ablative heat shield, spacecraft 007’s was made of cork.

The first test in a natural body of water was the first delayed recovery test and it took place in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a run through to see what would happen if, after splashdown, adverse weather or rough seas kept recovery forces from collecting the crew from the ocean. The spacecraft’s systems could give engineers technical data, but they needed human factors data as well and this meant the test had to be manned. In this case, the crew was three volunteer “astronauts” associated with the Apollo program: Texas M. Ward, head of the Apollo egress training program, fellow Apollo astronaut trainer Louis DeWolf, and member of the Apollo Landing and Recovery Division Harry Clancy. Each of these three men knew that sitting in for astronauts on this test would give them a unique perspective on their work, but none were sure what lay in store sitting in a spacecraft at sea for two days.

The test started on Friday, September 30 at 4pm once the main test requirement was met: the water was rough enough to produce the desired three-to-four-foot waves. The three volunteers were strapped into their couches, the hatch was closed, and spacecraft 007 was lowered from the deck of the Motor Vessel Retriever.

The first part of the test was a test of the spacecraft’s ability to right itself. Spacecraft 007 was immediately flipped upside-down to its Stable-Two position (the thin end of the cone was facing down into the water and the heat shield was facing the sky), which left Ward, DeWolf, and Clancy suspended from their harnesses. Before long, the spacecraft’s two electric air compressors inflated the three uprighting bags, flipping the command module to its Stable-One position, the upright (heat shield down) position that had the stand-in astronauts lying comfortably in their couches.

This first objective achieved, the less exciting duration test began. Spacecraft 007 drifted south for 24 hours before starting to move parallel to the coast while a weather front moved through the test area generating waves 12 feet high. All the while, the Retriever was nearby keeping an eye on the spacecraft and establishing voice communication with the crew at least once an hour on the hour. As would be the case on the first two manned Apollo missions, one man out of three men was awake at all times to monitor the spacecraft systems and keep the test operators in the loop.

The test ended on Sunday night, and for the crew this meant a very welcome shower, shave, and steak dinner. The three men unanimously agreed that the test had overall been quite a ride. Especially when things got rough during the flip to Stable-Two and when the waves picked up; during these dynamic moments there was little for the volunteer astronauts to do but hang on. But more importantly, the spacecraft had weathered the rough waves and lengthy float very well. Ward noted that the Apollo spacecraft was a far better boat than the Gemini spacecraft, more stable and comfortable. All in all, the test subjects agreed it was a “pretty seaworthy craft.”

At:

www.popsci.com/blog-network/vintage-space/when-astronauts...

Along with:

“CM-007/007A is a North American Aviation production-line Apollo Command Module (CM) spacecraft designated as a ground test vehicle for water impact, acoustic and vibration, and postlanding tests. The CM was skinned with cork on the aft and crew compartment heat shields to simulate the flight ablator. CM-007 was in the Block I configuration and initially used in impact and acoustic testing at the manufacturer in Downey, California. It was the first Apollo Command Module delivered to the NASA-Manned Spacecraft Center (NASA-MSC) and was assigned to be used in manned postlanding tests to be conducted by the Landing and Recovery Division. These tests included systems operational and crew compatibility tests for uprighting, postlanding ECS, postlanding communications systems and recovery.

After delivery to Houston in April, 1966, CM-007 was prepared for open water tests in the Gulf of Mexico to operationally qualify the Block I CM postlanding systems. The manned Block I 48-hour open water tests in the Gulf of Mexico were successfully conducted with a NASA test subject crew (Harry Clancy, Tex Ward, Lou DeWolf) onboard CM-007 on September 30-October 2, 1966. Following completion of the Block I tests, CM-007 was shipped back to North American Rockwell in 1967 for modification to Block II (CM-101/Apollo 7 had a two-hatch configuration in the tunnel as compared to subsequent missions which had a single unified tunnel hatch configuration.) After modification, CM-007 was designated CM-007A and returned to NASA-MSC for testing. After the modifications, the manned Block II 48-hour open water tests in the Gulf of Mexico were successfully conducted with an astronaut crew (James A. Lovell, Jr., Stuart A. Roosa, and Charles M. Duke, Jr.) onboard CM007A on April 5-7, 1968. After returning to NASA/MSC, the tunnel hatch was reconfigured to the single unified hatch by a contractor team. Additional static water testing of the uprighting system bag failure modes continued in 1968 in NASA-MSC Building-260 water tank.”

At:

www.jonessite.net/upload/LRD/stories/CM007A.pdf

Credit: Coye Mac Jones' website

I wish I had more information regarding Mr. Jones! Other than:

“Welcome to Broomfield in the Denver/Boulder Colorado area. We moved here from Pagosa Springs Colorado almost three years after CMJ retired from NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston TX on 1/3/03 after 38 years of service, including the historic Project Apollo and Space Shuttle Program. We love our cats Rusty and Berry.”

Also:

photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPBNJ4rFImUqIJsn2mpVVvFrwZr0...

Credit: Coye Jones/Google Photos

Finally:

www.museumofflight.org/spacecraft/north-american-aviation...

Credit: 'The Museum of Flight' website

Tangential but pertinent:

ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730010171/downloads/1973001...

"Artist concept of "Moon Mission"."

3-10-66

What a pathetic effort at a caption for a spectacular work of art. More than likely by the supremely talented Mr. Gary Meyer The realism of the parachutes is amazing. The minimal spacecraft detail required/visible, with parachute appearance determined early & remaining constant, allowed this depiction to remain unchanged over multiple reissues of it.

garymeyerillustration.net/BIOGRAPHY.html

garymeyerillustration.net/ILLUSTRATIONS/Pages/early_work....

garymeyerillustration.net/ILLUSTRATIONS/Pages/early_work....

A striking & very original/unique (in choice of scenes) ca. 1967 montage by the eminently talented/prolific Russell Arasmith, possibly as part of press coverage preceding the flight of Apollo 7.

Note the faintly outlined blank rectangular area to the lower right. Possibly for whatever descriptive text to be inserted by press organizations, such as crew, launch date, spacecraft details, etc., etc.

Understandably, the CSM & spacesuit configuration/appearance is based on Apollo 1. The Rocketdyne J-2 engine of the S-IVB stage figures prominently in the illustration as well.

The discovery of rare, seldom/never seen ‘space’ artwork, such as this, is sadly, always tempered in knowing that there’s so much more that will never see the light of day again.

As is often the case with Mr. Arasmith’s works, numbering is seen in the corner of the border. Probably identifying its sequence in a/the series.

See what I mean? There were then four preceding this one, and who knows how many after it! Most, likely gone.

Doesn’t the astronaut look a lot like Fred Haise?

A full life:

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/westminster-ca/russell...

Credit: Dignity Memorial website

An exquisite ca. 1967-71 (total SWAG) cutaway diagram of the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM), with Launch Escape System (LES). The image was possibly originally created for & contained within the “Apollo Spacecraft News Reference” manual. Over the course of the Apollo Program, the manual was revised several times to more accurately reflect changes, updates, additions, etc., to hardware, timelines (maybe?), etc.

As such, because of the featureless non-ribbed SM radiator panels, I think this to be an earlier/initial rendering, subsequently updated with the callouts “REACTION CONTROL ENGINES (QUAD)” and “HIGH-GAIN (DEEP SPACE) ANTENNA”. They can be seen to be affixed to the original image, likely over what was originally printed. Another version bears “RCS QUAD” and “S-BAND HIGH GAIN ANTENNA” respectively.

Who knows what other versions have? Who knows how many revisions were made? I’d expect the source material for the CSM news reference to have been primarily of NAA/NAR origin, hence the talented unidentified artist responsible to have been under their employ.

Speaking of exquisite:

heroicrelics.org/info/csm/csm-general.html#csmcanr

Credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org

In exquisite color:

www.apolloproject.com/diagrams/csm-diagram-tempi.jpg

Credit: APOLLOPROJECT.com website

A delightful depiction of Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) ascent stage liftoff from the moon, as part of a series of Marquardt Corporation ads, circa 1962/63. Marquardt was the manufacturer of the Reaction Control System (RCS) engines for both the LEM & Command/Service Module.

Despite what appears to be a stylized/logo-like "K" or “JK” near the lower border of the image, I believe the artist of this, along with the other works in this series of ads, to be David "Dave" Hawbecker.

A totally unexpected find, I’m almost giddy - I don’t get giddy - therefore a huge WIN.

Note the cloudless earth…thus drawing one’s eye to the masterful three-dimensional rendering of the mountainous western regions of both North & South America. Well played Mr. Hawbecker. 👍

However, this is still what I hear when I look at the RCS thruster plume. 😉

m.youtube.com/watch?v=dwiompXH6kI&feature=youtu.be

Credit: John Majka/YouTube

Additionally, purportedly, also by the hand of Mr. Hawbecker. If so, a WIN WithIN a WIN...cha-ching. I would've LOVED to have seen the entire lot:

profilesinhistory.com/flipbooks/Historical91/mobile/index...

Credit: "Profiles in History" auction house website

From the 'official' caption for S-71-39614...slightly modified, since it applies to this photo as well:

“An artist's concept of the Apollo 15 Command and Service Modules (CSM), showing two crewmembers performing a new-to-Apollo extravehicular activity (EVA). The figure at left represents astronaut Alfred M. Worden, command module pilot, connected by an umbilical tether to the CM, at right, where a figure representing astronaut James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, stands at the open CM hatch. Worden is working with the panoramic camera in the Scientific Instrument Module (SIM). In front of Irwin is the 16mm data acquisition camera. Artwork by North American Rockwell."

I’ve never seen this perspective before from this 'series'. Also, it’s from ca. 1971, yet the helmets depicted look pretty much like Gemini program GH-4-C helmets, not the Apollo LEVA.

R.I.P. Gentlemen, with heartfelt thanks.

Although not as evident in this image, and not exclusive to any single artist, based on the 'brush-stroke heavy' background, I'm sorta considering this to possibly have been by the hand of Donald W. Bester.

Just putting it out there, not that it matters...to anyone but me quite frankly.

Since there’s no such thing as too much Lunar (Excursion) Module, nor too much Craig Kavafes works, this is a two-fer. 👍

The scene depicts Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI). Note the LEM’s round egress/ingress hatch/combination forward docking port (not really sure about that in 1965) and lack of a ladder.

Note also the Block I Command Module, identifiable by the 'vertically' oriented pitch reaction control system thrusters. Incorrect by this time I'd think. But hey, that's a NAA-thing, and the responsibility of THEIR artists to get right.

Beautiful. Striking. Timeless.

“LM with two men separates from CSM”

Above taken from the caption associated with its precursor version, figure/plate P-25 of North American Rockwell’s “APOLLO 11: MAN ON THE MOON” News kit/packet.

I think it’s by either Gary Meyer or Henry Lozano. I can go either way at any given time. Or neither. Maybe Donald Bester? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A beautiful montage of North American Aviation (NAA)/North American Rockwell (NAR/NR) products, by incredibly talented NAA/NAR/NR artist, Henry Lozano Jr.

Although the work depicts scenes & products during the earlier NAA “period”, I don’t think Mr. Lozano was with them yet. Not that it’s a definitive or accurate yardstick - but in lieu of much else to go on WRT Mr. Lozano’s career timeline - the earliest work of his at the Department of the Air Force Art Collection website is from 1968…so I went with that as the left end of the date range estimate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Odd that something that obviously highlights successful or at least cutting edge & dramatic achievements would - rather prominently at that - feature the crew of Apollo 1; Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee…when it was a flawed NAA product & workmanship that caused their tragic deaths.

~7" x 10". Lower edge has been meticulously hand trimmed. In excellent condition.

At the conclusion of the 1-hr 33-minute AS-202 mission on August 25, 1966, CM-011 is hoisted aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) during recovery operations off of Wake Island.

~9.5” x 12.15”.

nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694co...

Credit: New York Heritage Digital Collections website

Other than propagating the inexplicable & inexcusable misidentification of this capsule as being the one on display at Expo ‘67, an excellent article:

www.nasa.gov/feature/55-years-ago-apollo-as-202-final-tes...

I reached out to the guy that wrote it via LinkedIn…crickets…imagine that. 👎

“CHART: Capsule Comparison. Shot for Heiser & Deberk.”

A wonderful & most gratifying find…in several ways. First, I’d never seen this particular ‘capsule comparison’ depiction; ranging from the Mercury capsule’s non-standard cutaway depiction, i.e., it pointing away, to the Apollo Command Module being of the Direct Ascent variety, with periscopes extended (although pointing in the wrong direction).

Most significantly – in my world – the Gemini capsule depiction – the only spacecraft firing its reaction control system thruster btw – in combination with the sun-earth?/moon? conjunction permitted identification of the artist. That being the (I’m sure unintentionally) enigmatic Arnold Pierce. A major WIN.

This then leads to/supports other similar & derivative early works to also be potentially attributable to Mr. Pierce. Although, I exclusively associated Mr. Pierce to be a McDonnell Aircraft Corporation artist, this however being a Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)-issued photo.

Yessiree, too many tedious & pointless observations, but to me, good stuff…preserved.

Heiser: Joseph M. Heiser Jr.?

Deberk: I think this is a botch job of Gerd De Beek, whose position & other "shot for" reference pretty much confirms. If you wish to go down the rabbit hole with me a little, see the below linked TM-1 LEM photo.

White Sands Missile Range personnel are shown loading Boilerplate 23 (BP-23) onto a transport carrier, following the successful flight to test the Apollo LES. The boilerplate was only slightly damaged. A Little Joe II was the launch vehicle.

I wonder what the logo on the back of the gentleman’s coveralls is. It’s definitely the outline of a capsule. Maybe with an LES? And his headgear looks like it might be military issue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If the date on this is correct, or even close, this is amazing, from the handholds/rungs along the side of the Command Module, to the forward hatch/docking port apparently being the avenue of egress…to everything else depicted. And, to me, although the signature would be conspicuously absent, it has John Gorsuch written all over it.

From the caption/slug affixed to the verso. Although it’s only tangentially applicable to the image, it’s so endearingly simplistic, naïve, colloquial, amusing & entertaining. Which does indeed support the stamped date:

“The most serious problem is that of blasting off from the moon for the return trip. Some automatic means of launching the return vehicle may be necessary for the first landing anywhere. After that, it is possible that man will have humans or equipment to help him get away. A precise time for re-entry into the atmosphere will be necessary, plus a predetermined landing spot. Re-entry heat buildup will be shielded from the occupants of the capsule, which probably will be detached from the space vehicle when the atmosphere is reached. Parachutes will ease early landings in water.”

“Overall view of BP-6 command module and launch escape system on adapter ring in firing position at Apollo-Little Joe II launch area, WSMR, N. M.”

I love the austere ‘field expedient/field exercise’ look, and how it’s accentuated from/by this elevated perspective.

1963, six years before Apollo 11.

Unprecedented.

Never to be replicated. IMHO at least.

In color:

pin.it/1vzHM29sI

Along with other excellent photographs of BP-6…and a whole lot more:

georgesrockets.com/GRP/Scale/DATA/JoePhotos2.html

Specifically:

georgesrockets.com/GRP/Scale/DATA/JoePhotos5/s6313884.jpg

Both above credit: the wonderful website of Mr. George Gassaway, “GEORGE’S ROCKETRY PAGES”

Text on the back:

APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING – July 20, 1969

Pacific Recovery Area. Navy Pararescueman and one of the three Apollo 11 astronauts close spacecraft hatch while the other two space pilots watch from life raft after splashdown on July 24, 1969. The pararescueman helped the astronauts from the spacecraft and disinfected them after they donned biological isolation garments.

Very nice cutaway of either - take your pick - the Apollo 7 or Apollo 8 Command Module, as depicted by talented artist Russ Arasmith.

Note the lack of a docking probe in the space above the “FORWARD ACCESS TUNNEL”, as it was not required on either Apollo 7 or 8.

I wonder what, if anything actually occupied that space for those missions? There would’ve surely been something, of equivalent mass, possibly in the form of basic instrumentation or recording/telemetry capability, no?

A life well-lived, thank you for your service Sir, Rest In Peace:

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/westminster-ca/russell...

Credit: Dignity Memorial website

CM-009, flown February 26, 1966 as part of AS-201 is seen here, January 31, 1967 at North American Aviation’s Downey facility, and based on the double-row window configuration, possibly in Building 290? Knowing neither squat nor diddly regarding timelines for Command Module post-flight inspections, who knows what prompted this photograph. Possibly as documentation in preparation for display at Expo '67, which commenced April 28, 1967. It does look like it’s about to be crated/or has just been uncrated.

According to NASA releases, the vehicle was subsequently used in two land impact tests conducted in 1968, on March 7 & October 26.

Additionally, note the hatch, just right of the capsule’s center. Specifically, its trapezoidal window opening. ‘Opening’, because to me, it looks like there’s no glass anymore…at all. Furthermore, the fact that it is clearly/only (in this photograph at least), only a trapezoidal opening is also noteworthy. Its outward appearance was/is the source of some confusion & confoundment…at least as far as subsequent identification of the vehicle is concerned:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum40/HTML/000063.html

Credit: collectSPACE website

Space History: CM-009 was the first production Command Module to launch on a Saturn rocket, that also being the first flight of a Saturn IB.

But wait, the ‘best’ is yet to come:

As if all of the above wasn’t enough, there’s the dependable & perpetual NASA…’photo identification, cataloging, description, reproduction, articulation, ad infinitum’ debacle:

The capsule in the photograph I've posted is the one that was on display at Expo ‘67 - with all markings matching up - which is universally, as per the following - possible source document - identified as CM-011, flown on AS-202. WRONG.

Where would’ve the content & identification in the press release originated? Hmm…one guess:

www.worldsfairphotos.com/expo67/documents/press-releases/...

Credit: Bill Cotter, at his superb Expo '67 website. It MOST DEFINITELY merits one's attention!

A confirmed photograph of CM-011/AS-202 during recovery operations is at the following link. The capsule clearly bears a large, intense & conspicuous scorch mark, well-placed for comparative purposes, which then should be visible, or its remnant, in either my, or any/all of the above/linked below images. There are multiple other features, markings, damage, etc., exclusive to CM-011. Also at the link is the following, possibly its official NASA caption. It may even be correct:

"Apollo spacecraft 011 Command Module floats in the Pacific Ocean during recovery operations following the successful unmanned Apollo/Saturn Mission 202 test flight".

At:

www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/misc/apmisc-S66-4...

Credit: "The Project Apollo Image Gallery" website

Contrast to CM-009 recovery photos at the following, which, I think to be correct, and which support all above:

www.alternatewars.com/SpaceRace/SP-4205/Chapter_08.htm

Also, great information & discussion & further visual proof/evidence of Expo '67 vehicle confirmation, despite erroneous identification in the discussion:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001008.html

Credit: collectSPACE website

AN INEXPLICABLY ENDURING & INEXCUSABLE BLUNDER, OF EPIC (IN MY WORLD) PROPORTIONS.

NOT THAT IT MATTERS...ANYMORE...BUT HOW DID IT PERSIST…FOR ALL THIS TIME? IN FACT, IT’S ACTUALLY EVEN BEEN "CONFIRMED" BY FOLKS I CONSIDERED KNOWLEDGEABLE, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, OBSERVANT.

WOW.

Almost, and other than the blatant error regarding the Expo, a good article:

roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/roundup/1754

HUH?!?!?! How the f**k did they arrive at the WRONG idenfication??? Again, wow...just WOW:

forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29899.0

Credit: "NASA SPACEFLIGHT" Forum website

And...I'M SURE...the ORIGINAL SIN/F**K UP of this spacecraft's 'unidentification' exacerbated, and to whatever degree, was the genesis for the following thread of discussion & CONFUSION - by intelligent & otherwise knowledgable folks!!!

The subsequent muddled & likely erroneous 'chain of custody' - IF SUCH EVEN EXISTED, for CM-009 - is obvious:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum40/HTML/000063.html

Credit: collectSPACE website

DUMBASS, DEFICIENT, DOLT N(Ass)A BUFFOONS.

JUST WOW...MIND-BLOWING.

THERE'S REALLY NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. NONE. PATHETIC ACTUALLY.

Whatever, right? It is what it is.

Posted primarily for my own edification, to serve as a ‘marker’ for possible/hopeful future identification of the artist responsible. Note what appears to be “M.R.” in the lower right-hand corner of Quadrant I of the LM descent stage. Although I’m confident of the “M” & “R”, I might be off regarding the markings to the right of each letter. I’m guessing accentuated/stylized(?) periods. Or, maybe not. Who knows.

Regardless, it's by an MSFC artist, in 1967, with the initials M.R.

Based on the date, 12-11-63, a wonderful view down an assembly line of Command Module (CM) crew compartment mock-ups at North American Aviation’s (NAA) Downey plant. Note the ample lumber racked/stacked against the back wall, along with various sundry pieces all over the place, to include on the landing of the stairs in the foreground. Initially, I even thought the conical things on the floor, at the periphery of the work jigs, were sawdust piles.

A nearly complete(?) CM can be seen in the background, with either window cut-outs or markings & “United States” decal/paint job.

Lastly, on a nearer table to the left, multiple handwritten part(?) numbers are just discernible on the, uh…bag/giant shim(?), and on the one on its side, immediately behind it. Also, a diagram/blueprint, possibly of a CM, is nearly discernible, to the right of the nearest mock-up.

Outstanding, in many ways…far beyond the photograph.

In LESS than six years, the real thing (no wood) safely transported humans to/back from the moon…upon which they WALKED…TWICE.

“They will rendezvous with the mother ship orbiting the moon about 70 miles up (2).”

Based on the stamped date, issued in conjunction with the flight of Apollo 11. And as part of the press release, labeled as photo no. 2. Image no. 1 of this press release is linked to below.

Contrary to the press slug/caption, I think this depicts LM ascent stage jettison. The ‘cluttered’ appearance of the ascent stage’s drogue assembly would seem to confirm this as well, which is indeed evident in inflight photographs of jettisoned ascent stages. Finally, based on the appearance of the spacecraft, this was possibly the final/near final NAA rendering of the Apollo mission timeline ‘storyboard’.

As with those earlier renderings, I think it’s by Gary Meyer.

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (GAEC) print/artwork, ca. 1967, depicting the docked Lunar Module-Command/Service Module stack prior to undocking and a/the lunar landing.

GAEC + LEM/LM + artist's concept = (almost exclusively) Craig Kavafes. However, his signature is not to be found, unlike the vast majority of his other work, even early on. Additionally, this doesn't quite look to be by his hand IMHO. Whoever it was, it really looks like the coveted Precise Models Inc. LM model served as the “model”.

Note also how ‘pointy’ the Command Module is, with its SpaceX Crew Dragon-like appearance. Being GAEC-produced artwork, I think accurate depiction of the NAA-manufactured Command/Service Module was not a hard & fast requirement.

Regardless, I love it.

"A vintage illustration of the Apollo Command Module"

Above at/from:

pocketmags.com/us/ad-astra-magazine/2019-2/articles/61855...

Credit: Jay Chladek/”pocketmags” & ad Astra (online magazine?) websites

Artwork by Rosemary A. Dobbins.

“HEADING HOME . . . The Apollo 11’s service propulsion system rocket engine, developed and built by Aerojet-General, Sacramento, fires to begin the homeward journey following man’s first walk on the moon.”

8.5” x 11”. On a slightly thicker card stock than commonly associated with or expected of a lithograph. The faint horizontal line along the bottom of the image & partially running vertically up from the lower right is just an annoying scanning artifact...of my brand !&@%?! new POS scanner.

Part of an Aerojet-General Corporation souvenir packet distributed by a Sacramento CBS affiliate, KXTV 10, in conjunction with its coverage of the Apollo 11 mission - “MAN ON THE MOON: THE EPIC JOURNEY OF APOLLO 11”.

The dramatic work is by Aerojet-General’s talented resident artist of the time, George Mathis, aka A. Tinker.

A beautiful artist’s concept of an earth-orbiting Apollo Applications Program (AAP) configuration, possibly of an experimental micro-gravity biology module…maybe… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯…docked to the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM).

The scientist-astronaut seems – I think – to be using a snazzy microscope of some sort, although I’m having some perspective issues regarding it, to include what the large rectangular component with the conical appendage is being used for. Photomicrography? And how it correlates with the other components in the immediate vicinity, which may include dual/binocular eyepieces?

Note also the item that looks like a bubble helmet on the half shelf to the left of the scientist-astronaut. I think I see the vague, barely perceptible features of a human head inside it. Do you see it??? GOOD GOD, what kind of unholy experiments were under consideration?!? 😲😉

And, I can’t seem to identify the rough, textured, metallic(?)…’mass’ depicted on the other side of the module, across from the scientist-astronaut. And, it looks like there’s a fixed stool in front of it.

Based on the strong similarity of this CSM to that in another work I’ve linked to below, which is also from this series of works (based on photo ID no. sequence), I really think it, and this one is by Raymond Bruneau. That other one has the letters “RB”, with an arrow adjacent to it, depicted as if it were part of the surface markings on the exterior of the Service Module. That, and the fact that Mr. Bruneau chose to use actual photographs of the earth in a number of his earth orbit depictions, such as this one, gives me confidence in my identification.

Finally, although I haven’t been able to find a match from the exemplars available online, I’m sure the Neil Armstrong signature is an autopen.

"APOLLO MODEL - - One-twentieth size engineering model of the Apollo Block-I Spacecraft 012 Command Module."

Spacecraft/Command Module 012 was that of Apollo 1.

The scale cited would make the diameter of this model 7.7". Note the seam, so I assume it’s hinged to reveal the interior. I wish I had a photograph of that!

‘Technically’, the two roll reaction control system thrusters on the left should’ve been depicted as ovals...in order to induce such roll.

Hence, I'm certain this isn’t an "engineering model". Nor is it specifically CM-012. I think it’s a generic (Block I?) Apollo command module model. Yet another bumbling, uninformed, doofus write-up IMHO. What’s for certain is that it’s really cool.

PictionID:53813353 - Catalog:14_031280 - Title:GD/Astronautics Models Details: Apollo Mission Models; Clear Plastic Date: 05/14/1961 - Filename:14_031280.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

“Apollo 6 Command Module landed in the Pacific, northwest of the Hawaiian Islands at 4:56 PM, EST, April 4, 1968. Apollo 6 was the second unmanned flight of the Saturn V in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Lunar Landing Project.

Launch: April 4, 1968 7 AM Complex 39 Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Impact Zone: 27°40’ N - 157°55’ W

50 Nautical miles West of the scheduled impact area.

Onboard Carrier (USS Okinawa) 15 hrs 55 min GET”

How does one ‘schedule’ an impact area…or, for that matter, anything locational/geographic? Most NASA caption writers’ elusive nemesis: the baffling & insurmountable grammatical complexities of the English language, let alone the often ungraspable mysteries of capitalization & punctuation. Ugh. But hey, a pleasant surprise; at least the image isn’t reversed left-to-right.

Actually, compared to all too many other abysmal offerings, this ain’t that bad.

"Apollo-4 Configuration"

"Sta" refers to station numbers...which appear to be a standardized bottom-to-top linear reference system, in inches, of the launch vehicle’s ‘planes’ of attachment(?), separation(?) and (thanks to Mike Jetzer)…gimbal.

I think I've also seen station numbers associated with/to levels/points on either the Mobile Service Structure (MSS) or Launcher Umbilical Tower (LUT). Maybe even both? If so, reasonable to assume they correspond with those of the vehicle??? Then again, it may just be a concocted memory on my part.

Fortunately, and commensurate with the superb site it is, the following excerpt, along with additional graphics, sheds light on the ‘mystery’:

“The station numbers are at right. Marshall Space Flight Center station numbers are in inches and are defined such that station 100 is the gimbal plane of the engines. This scheme seems to have started with the Jupiter missile (the first ABMA missile with an engine with gimbal capability; the Jupiter's S-3D engine was 100 inches tall from the exit plane to the gimbal plane) and continued on up to the Saturn V. This leads to the somewhat unusual need, in the case of the much-larger F-1 engine, for negative station numbers.”

At:

heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general.html

heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-v/saturn-v-general/saturn-v-...

Both above credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org

If correct, which I have no reason to doubt, how bizarre…to continue the “tradition”. There surely must’ve been some interesting history & background for its 'continuation'. So, station numbers seem to be attributed to MSFC. I don't get it.

Also, although I've found "field splice" in various NASA documents, it still doesn't help me understand or visualize it. So, I guess it's "duh" on my part.

SLS my Artem-ass. 😜

“A/S 202 Command Module attached to flotation collar Recovery Area, Central Pacific Ocean.”

The above & image, at:

archive.org/details/S66-49413

Credit: Internet Archive website

And/or:

“Apollo spacecraft 011 Command Module floats in the Pacific Ocean during recovery operations following the successful unmanned Apollo/Saturn Mission 202 test flight.”

At:

apolloarchive.com/apollo/gallery/S66-49413_t.jpg

Credit: ‘Apollo Image Gallery’ website

CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROMOTED & APPARENTLY, BLINDLY ACCEPTED, SINCE 1967(?),

THIS CAPSULE (CM-011)...

IS NOT...

I SAY AGAIN...

NOT...

THE COMMAND MODULE THAT WAS ON DISPLAY AT EXPO '67.

THE DISPLAYED CAPSULE WAS CM-009, AND IT’S PRETTY DAMNED OBVIOUS.

HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS PERSIST - AND HAS EVEN BEEN REINFORCED - BY WHAT I THOUGHT WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE, OBSERVANT AT LEAST - FOLKS???

WOW.

JUST WOW.

“The Apollo/Saturn 501 spacecraft mated to the Service Module and Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter is being mated to the Saturn V booster at the Vehicle Assembly Building in preparation for the first (unmanned) flight of the Apollo/Saturn V.”

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (GAEC) print/artwork, ca. 1967, depicting Lunar Module Ascent Stage and North American Aviation (NAA) Command/Service Module rendezvous & docking.

Being a GAEC-produced LEM/LM artwork would normally identify the artist to be Craig Kavafes. However, to me, this doesn’t look like it’s by him. Although it must be, right?

The lunar surface depiction actually has a Gary Meyer look to it, but then the Command Module would be proportionally correct..this isn’t. Not to mention the messed up appearance & placement of its RCS nozzles, hatch & windows. The Service Module isn’t right either. 😉

11” x 14”.

"NASA Manned Spacecraft Artist concept of Spacecraft Comparison."

An iconic illustration, and yet I've never even remotely/slightly/tangentially read/seen/heard anything regarding the mystery artist. Which leads me to cautiously think it's Gary Meyer. The lack of signature supports such, as it was pretty much the rule for his works. The time frame. And, it is part of the "S-63-XXX" family/series of photos, which is a stretch however.

We may never know. Although...the straight dark lines representing the Astronauts' eyes may be a clue...

Note the round windows of the Apollo Command Module.

Both of these are excellent models that I'd love to build IRL sometime. Luis Pena's 2018 model is on the left, Hachiroku24's 2020 model is on the right.

Luis Pena:

www.flickr.com/photos/127520452@N04/27672364152/in/datepo...

Hachiroku24:

www.flickr.com/photos/hachiroku24/50255492518/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KEhWTnWvE

Credit: YouTube/Ahmad F Elyan

“Command Module 107 and Service Module move from Chamber “L” to work stand. Command Module 108 in background.”

And what appears to be another, possibly later ‘official’ description:

"Apollo Command and Service Modules scheduled for manned landing mission on the Moon cross paths in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at KSC. The meeting occurred when the CSM for Apollo 11 was being hoisted out of a test chamber and the CSM for Apollo 12, which recently arrived at KSC, was getting its initial checkout in the aisle."

And/or:

“Apollo command and service modules scheduled for manned landing missions on the moon cross paths in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at the spaceport. The meeting occurred last night when the CSM for Apollo 11 was being hoisted out of a test chamber and the CSM for Apollo 12, which recently arrived at Kennedy Space Center, was getting its initial checkouts in the aisle. Apollo 11 is scheduled for the first manned lunar landing mission this summer.”

According to a knowledgeable individual at the collectSPACE website, LM-5 & LM-6 were also in the MSOB at this time.

Unexpectedly - the latter, along with the image - are at the following link. Surprisingly, against all odds, they managed to find the image, orient it correctly and then somehow even mustered the competencies & effort to post it for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11:

images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-69P-0204.html

“ASTP DOCKING CONCEPT------An artist’s concept depicting the American Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in Earth orbit. During the joint U.S.-USSR Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission, scheduled for July 1975, the American and Soviet crews will visit one another’s spacecraft while the Soyuz and Apollo are docked for a maximum period of two days. The mission is designed to test equipment and techniques that will establish international crew rescue capability in space, as well as permit future cooperative scientific missions. Each nation has developed separately docking systems based on mutually agreeable single set of interface design specifications. The major new U.S. program elements are the docking module and docking systems with the USSR-developed hardware to be used on the Soyuz spacecraft. The DM and docking system together with an Apollo Command/Service Module will be launched by a Saturn 1B launch vehicle. This artwork is by Paul Fjeld.”

“Following rendezvous, and when the LEM is approximately 500 feet from the coupled Command/Service Modules, the LEM’s Commander will manually maneuver the module to a docking attitude and increase or decrease the rate of closure until complete docking is accomplished.

Once the coupling process is complete, the two-man LEM crew prepares to transfer to the Command Module and rejoin the third member of the Apollo team. Pressures between the modules are equalized, LEM subsystems are turned off, and scientific equipment and collected specimens are passed into the Command Module. When the transfer is complete, the LEM is jettisoned in orbit, and left to impact upon the moon at a later time. This concludes the LEM mission.”

Reads like an early Grumman description, a little stiff & 'clinical', not something composed by a journalist.

I’ve never seen this depiction before, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a rendition of the Command/Service Modules by Mr. Kavafes. Which btw is sporting dual dissimilar antennas, interesting. Finally, note also the LEM Commander’s face, visible through the spacecraft’s window.

Posted in honor of Don Cole, former "NASA Spacecraft Photographer", in conjunction with the below linked photographs.

Per Mr. Cole's caption of the photograph, from his blog "DonColeCartoons":

"NASA Spacecraft Photographers at work. Donald Cole, on the left; Ken Lee, on the right. Cape Canaveral, Florida, 1960’s."

At:

doncolecartoons.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/where-i-was-when...

The outward appearance of the M-11 Command/Service Module (CSM) combination in this photograph and that of the below linked stacking photograph leads to my associating it with the SA-500F Facilities Verification Vehicle.

However, if so though, where's the circumferential black aft portion of the Service Module? Painted on later? Or is there something else going on here?

FANTASTIC:

www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_US/apollo/vaisseaux/...

Credit: The consistently amazing "CAPCOM ESPACE" website

Regardless of all of the above, Thank You Mr. Cole!

“Command pilot James McDivitt and lunar module pilot Russell Schweickart are shown in this drawing in the lunar module that they tested Wednesday. They entered through the docking tunnel.”

Another delightful rendition by Russ Arasmith, as usual, with rich & wonderful attention to detail. With that, note the stowed Portable Life Support System (PLSS) back pack (with the NASA logo) & two Oxygen Purge System (OPS) components behind the Astronaut in the docking tunnel. Apollo 9 was the first use/test of the Apollo Program's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)/PLSS/OPS ensemble inflight & ‘outside’.

Also, as was often the case with Arasmith works, there being a series/sequence of them, it bears a plate number, “5” in this case, at the lower left corner).

The official NASA caption/description:

“Cutaway of day three activities. Crewmen leave third team member in command module and enter lunar module through docking tunnel. One astronaut shown entering through tunnel while the other is already at one of two side-by-side standing stations in LM. The latter looks out of docking window.”

The above, with an immaculate version, along with the rest of the series, from/at the following.

The proprietor of this site, Mr. Jerome Bascom-Pipp, is EASILY one of the best, most honorable human beings I’ve ever come across:

apollomissionphotos.com/index_art_ap9.html

Credit: Jerome Bascom-Pipp/"Apollo Mission Control Photo Plus" website

Russell Arasmith, a full & rich life:

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/westminster-ca/russell...

Credit: Dignity Memorial website

“The Skylab 2 Command Module, with astronauts Charles Conrad Jr., Joseph P. Kerwin and Paul J. Weitz still inside, is hoisted aboard the prime recovery ship, USS Ticonderoga, following successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean about 835 miles southwest of San Diego, California. The crewmen had just completed a 28-day stay with the Skylab 1 space station in Earth orbit conducting numerous medical, scientific and technological experiments. Note the inflated bags and the floatation collar on the spacecraft.”

Above taken from the caption for another photograph from the recovery operation, linked to below.

Unlike the splashdown of the final manned Skylab mission, this one was televised. The number of total views pretty much sums up the marginalization & forgotten nature of Skylab, then and of course, now...a whopping 1.4K views in 9 years. Sad:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YII3fQig1A

Credit: lunarmodule5/YouTube

Despite Bill Pogue’s statements at the following link, to me, it'll always be Skylab 1, not Skylab 2.

www.collectspace.com/resources/naming_spacecraft.html

Credit: collectSPACE website

“Artists concept of Apollo flight from Moon.”

Appropriated by NASA, this stunning artwork was originally produced by the Marquardt Corporation, manufacturer of the reaction control rocket engines, seen firing in the image.

Amongst multiple other publications I’m sure, the image was featured in an advertisement in the November 26, 1962 issue of “missiles and rockets” magazine, page 28. That issue also being the second annual NASA issue.

Content from the advertisement:

“Reaction control engines for Project Apollo

Marquardt is currently engaged in the development and fabrication of the reaction control rocket engines for the service module of the Project Apollo Spacecraft—The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s initial manned expedition to the moon. The Marquardt engines in the service module are part of the flight and stabilization control system, providing attitude control and stabilization enroute to the moon and back, and during lunar and earth orbit.

Marquardt has successfully designed and built advanced control systems for aerospace vehicles for nearly two decades. Absolute reliability and precise accuracy are necessary for satellite rendezvous, station keeping, orbit control, landing and lift-off from distant planets. Reaction control systems by The Marquardt Corporation are relied on to do these vital jobs.”

The extended periscopes of the Command Module indicate this to be a Direct Ascent Apollo lunar landing configuration. However, the advertisement makes no reference to the reaction control engines with regard to lunar descent, landing or ascent. Wouldn't they have been used to provide some sort of attitude control & stabilization during those maneuvers? Or, was there possibly gimbaling capability of the S-IVB? descent/landing? engine that sufficed? And/or did it also have its own reaction control rocket engines? Idk.

Despite this being an undeniably kick-ass image - with the clever stippled & striated look - this is what I hear when I look at the exhaust plumes of those reaction control engines:

youtu.be/dwiompXH6kI

Credit: John Majka/YouTube

Another WIN, based upon the following and some subsequent research:

www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/original-1960s-concept-art...

Credit: WorthPoint website

I'm relatively certain the artist of this, and the other similar/contemporary Marquardt ad artwork to be David Hawbecker!

Who cares how impractical, impossible or even ridiculous it is - it’s by John Gorsuch AND looks like a giant Apollo Command Module. What more can you ask for?

From/at:

www.pinterest.com/pin/322992604512085738/

Credit: Dax Araya-Derosier/Pinterest

“APOLLO MOON MISSION SEQUENCE 7

With splashdown and recovery, a national goal is achieved -- landing American astronauts on the moon and returning them safely to earth.”

Although I’ve been informed (by a reputable source) that this is by Henry Lozano, I still kind of think it’s by Gary Meyer. Actually, who cares, it’s outstanding.

“Apollo command module boilerplate 15 is being checked out at Hangar A-F, Cape Kennedy, Florida, preparatory to launch by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The command module structure, heat shield, and internal equipment arrangement will protect the astronauts from the hazards of radiation in space. The module will contain subsystems to provide electrical power, communications, orientation control, orientation stabilization, environmental control, earth landing and crew-support subsystem.”

I unsuccessfully tried to make out what the writing is - in cursive I think - on the apex covering. I know, pretty pathetic, but that’s me. Besides, I’m retired & can afford to fart around like this.

An excellent & concise overview of Hangar AF:

afspacemuseum.org/facilities/industrial-area/

Credit: Air Force Space & Missile Museum website

Dumbasses...not only is the above website 'buh-bye'...there's absolutely nothing to be found regarding Hangar AF anymore, at all.