View allAll Photos Tagged commandmodule
This section connected the Lunar Module with the Command and Service Modules on the Apollo missions. This cutaway is on display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, NY.
PictionID:53812820 - Catalog:14_031236 - Title:GD/Astronautics Models Details: Space Craft Model-Apollo Date: 10/05/1961 - Filename:14_031236.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
Early (1966/Pre-Skylab) proposal for the Apollo Telescope Mount...in the Service Module. Artwork by Steve Amos
Wonderful discussions, photo at:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/000970.html
forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15822.msg363416...
Edited Apollo 13 image of the damaged Service Module soon after it was released prior to the splash down of the Command Module. The Moon is near the center of the image and part of the Command Module is in the upper-left corner.
"Artist drawing by North American Aviation, Inc., -- The white room level of gantry 39 shows the astronauts preparing for insertion into Apoolo spacecraft."
Yep, "Apoolo". Ugh, even back then.
Beautiful conceptual Apollo Program artwork by North American Aviation (NAA) illustrator Gary Meyer of crew insertion.
Mr. Meyer possibly was the illustrator for this 1963 series/family of Apollo concept illustrations. Hard to confirm, as the other NAA/Apollo illustrations have no signature visible, being either cropped out or possibly never signed(?)
The above confirmed by Mr. Meyer himself, in a direct quote from his website, listing his work experience:
"Extensive paintings of Apollo moon missions including a film called “The Apollo Mission” made before the hardware existed."
And, incredibly, thanks to the Dan Beaumont Space Museum, the film is available here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMwv3PtdWcU&t=124s
I also HIGHLY recommend checking out his amazing collection of images on Flickr.
Mr. Meyer's credentials, achievements and honors are amazing:
garymeyerillustration.net/BIOGRAPHY.html
Wow:
garymeyerillustration.net/ILLUSTRATIONS/Pages/early_work....
Specifically in this instance, although with slight variations:
garymeyerillustration.net/ILLUSTRATIONS/Pages/early_work....
Who knew?
The Apollo 8 Command/Service Module is removed from the altitude chamber in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building at KSC, prior to mating with its Saturn V launch vehicle.
Command and Service Module (CSM-105) was originally used for acoustic and vibration testing. The spacecraft is now part of the Apollo-Soyuz (ASTP) display at the National Air and Space Museum.
PictionID:53812808 - Catalog:14_031235 - Title:GD/Astronautics Models Details: Space Craft Model-Apollo Date: 10/05/1961 - Filename:14_031235.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
"U.S. Navy Pararescueman Lt. Clancey Hatleberg disinfects Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., in life raft during recovery operations today at the completion of their successful lunar landing mission. The space pilots donned Biological Isolation Garments in their spacecraft."
planetary.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/spacecraft/2014/...
Credit: The Planetary Society website
Excellent & pertinent reading:
amp.issuu.com/crowncitymagazine/docs/july_magazine/s/1053...
Credit: issuu website
A veritable smorgasbord of Command/Service Module fabrication circa 1967 - 1968! From left-to-right/background-to-foreground:
- What appears to be a Service Module (unidentified).
- Command Module 2TV-1.
- Command Module 103 (Apollo 8).
- Command Module 105 (used for acoustic and vibration testing).
- The CM in the right foreground is unidentified.
- And yet another - possibly Command Module 104 (Apollo 9) on the far right, slightly in the background.
Center probe and drogue docking simulator/demonstrator at NAA, 11 November 1963. Note that a/the docking port on the Lunar Module was still forward located at this time. Also note the "cut-away" Service Module mock-up on the other side of the wall.
Photographed in the Science Museum during my final day in London after an extensive three month visit to western Europe in the summer of 2002.
“SOUNDING THE ALL CLEAR: Following a successful launch, a tall, slender tower on top of the man-carrying command module of the Apollo Spacecraft is jettisoned by firing a rocket. The launch escape tower is designed to pull the crew capsule free of the Apollo Saturn vehicle should anything go wrong on the pad or within the first few seconds after blastoff. After the first-stage boosters of the Saturn launch vehicle burn out -- about 36 miles up -- the spacecraft could be returned to earth, even in an emergency, by normal reentry maneuvers. At that point the launch escape system is no longer needed so the tower is separated from the command module, which continues its flight. The tower-jettison motor is made by the Elkton, Maryland, Division of Thiokol Chemical Corporation.”
Based on the Command Module being a Block I, I’m guessing 1966/67. As such, note the accommodations made in the Boost Protective Cover for the scimitar antennas.
A beautiful work by Thiokol Chemical Corporation artist, “G. R. Miller”. Not surprisingly, I’ve found nothing on him.
Interesting additional & pertinent Thiokol information:
cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/413105/Apollo%20Press%20Kits/Thiok...
Since I don’t expect the above to be ‘clickable’, check out the following parent website…lots of great stuff to be found:
www.apollopresskits.com/apollo-presskit-directory
Credit: David Meerman Scott
Close-up view of Apollo spacecraft 012 at top of gantry at Pad 34. S/C 012 will be mated with the uprated Saturn I launch vehicle.
Official NASA description above.
A water-level view of Apollo 13 recovery operations in the South Pacific. The three Astronauts are seen egressing their spacecraft. John L. Swigert Jr. (back to camera), Command Module Pilot, is already in the life raft. Fred W. Haise Jr., Lunar Module Pilot, is stepping into the life raft. James A. Lovell Jr., Commander, is leaving the spacecraft in the background. A U.S. Navy underwater demolition team assists with the recovery operations. The three crewmen were picked up by helicopter and flown to the prime recovery ship, USS Iwo Jima. Apollo 13 Command Module ‘Odyssey’ splashed down at 12:07:44 p.m. (CST), 17 April 1970, to safely conclude a perilous space flight. Although the lunar landing was cancelled, the disastrous loss of three Astronauts was averted.
TRULY awesome.
I have doubts about the authenticity of the signature.
"The Apollo 14 Command Module (CM) splashes down and two of its three main parachutes can be seen collapsing, as the 10-day mission comes to a safe and successful end. The Apollo 14 spacecraft, with astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr., commander; Stuart A. Roosa, command module pilot; and Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot, aboard, splashed down at 3:04:39 p.m. (CST) approximately 765 nautical miles southeast of American Samoa."
Skylab 3 Command and Service Modules being "unpacked" at the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. Note the two-toned appearance of the Command Module, a thermal control measure due to the spacecraft's relatively fixed position while in orbit, i.e., one side always facing the sun. The silvery side predominantly visible here, is the earth-facing side.
pictionid60385337 - catalog08002038 - title: Apollo Production - filename0802038.tif---Image from the SDASM Curatorial Collection.Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
A KSC Technician is seen working atop the ‘White Room’ that is connected to the Apollo 11 Command Module, in this spectacular view high above Launch Complex 39A.
Catalog #: Casson_0081
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
North American Rockwell technicians are seen installing the boost protective cover of Apollo 15 Command Module ‘Endeavour’.
A gorgeous color version, along with the associated discussion thread:
www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a15/ap15-71-HC-93...
Credit: ALSJ
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001716-2.html
Credit: collectSPACE.com
Another image from Scott Sullivan's Virtual Apollo. I really have to hand it to Mr. Sullivan - he created a detailed depiction of an incredibly complicated machine, but made it simple enough for normal human beings to understand. If they'd release a revised and expanded version of this book, I'd be all over it!
The "Apollo-Saturn V Center" is an air conditioned building at the Kennedy Space Center. It is actually located next to the NASA VIP viewing stands that was used for viewing all rocket launches from the 1960s to the last Space Shuttle launch in 2011. You can only get to the Apollo-Saturn V Center by buying admission at the KSC Visitors Center and riding a tour bus onto KSC. Inside, you will find an actual flight ready Saturn V rocket (the first stage is a static test article and not flight worthy) on its side and sitting in a raised up cradle. You can walk under the rocket to get a feel for it enormous size. The Apollo Command Module at the right lower corner of the photo is a flight ready vehicle intended to be used as a Skylab rescue vehicle, should it had been necessary. The Lunar Module (left hand side in this photo) is an actual flight ready vehicle originally intended to be used on Apollo 15. It was not used when Congress canceled funding for Apollo's 18 - 20. NASA then upgraded Apollo 15, 16, 17 to use longer duration Lunar Modules, EVA backpacks, and the new lunar rover (not in this photo but also available to be seen at the center).
Kennedy Space Center
The Apollo 15 Command Module, Endeavor, rests at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Apollo 15 was the fourth mission in which humans walked on the lunar surface and returned to Earth. On 30 July 1971 two astronauts (Apollo 15 Commander David R. Scott and LM pilot James B. Irwin) landed in the Hadley Rille/Apennines region of the Moon in the Lunar Module (LM) while the Command and Service Module (CSM) (with CM pilot Alfred M. Worden) continued in lunar orbit. During their stay on the Moon, the astronauts set up scientific experiments, took photographs, and collected lunar samples. The LM took off from the Moon on 2 August and the astronauts returned to Earth on 7 August. -- NASA
PictionID:53763939 - Catalog:14_032116 - Title:Apollo Program Details: Apollo Command Module Mock Up Date: 09/08/1961 - Filename:14_032116.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
The Apollo 4 Command Module being prepared in North American Aviation Space Division’s clean room, for shipment to KSC.
Used as the cover photo:
www.amazon.com/Downeys-Aerospace-History-1947-1999-Aviati...
Credit: Amazon.com website
See also, from 19 December 1966:
static1.squarespace.com/static/56c78acd0442626b2590f5ea/5...
Credit: Aerospace Legacy Foundation Archive
I CANNOT believe THEY got it wrong...pathetic:
www.palosverdespulse.com/blog/2020/6/27/life-at-the-space...
Credit: "Palos Verdes Pulse LLC" website
With the aid of U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Officer extraordinaire (I believe to be Lieutenant Jonathan Smart yet again), Apollo 15 Commander Dave Scott has the look of "OK - I got this - NO Apollo 9 recovery repeat"!
Along those lines, check it out, a challenging recovery for the entire crew of Apollo 9, not just Dave’s minor stumble:
An illustration exploring the theme of resistance for D&AD's Dont Panic illustration brief.
Spaceflight is the ultimate resistance; against gravity, against odds, against extinction. However, there are some who think that we should focus on Earthbound matters first and resist the notion that we should focus our gaze upward and away from our earthly obligations.
Edited NASA PR diagram for a stacked (eg, put into place ready for launch) Apollo Command and Service Modules, along with the Lunar Module.
PictionID:53813437 - Catalog:14_031287 - Title:GD/Astronautics Models Details: Apollo Mission Model; 3/4 Rear View Date: 05/14/1961 - Filename:14_031287.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
The actual Apollo 17 Command Module, dubbed "America", is on display in the Starship Gallery of Space Center Houston.
Apollo 17, the final mission of NASA's Apollo program launched on December 7, 1972 with a crew made up of Commander Eugene Cernan, Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans, and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt. It was a "J-type mission" which included three days on the lunar surface, extended scientific capability, and the third Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). While Evans remained in lunar orbit in this Command/Service Module (CSM), Cernan and Schmitt spent just over three days on the moon in the Taurus–Littrow valley and completed three moonwalks, taking lunar samples and deploying scientific instruments. All three astronauts returned safely to Earth in this capsule, ending an era in space history.
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum owned and operated by the nonprofit Manned Spaceflight Education Foundation. The center opened in 1992 and hosts more than 1 million visitors annually in its 250,000-square-foot educational complex with over 400 space artifacts, permanent and traveling exhibits, attractions, live shows and theaters dedicated to preserving the history of America's human spaceflight program.
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Manned Spacecraft Center, where human spaceflight training, research, and flight control are conducted. Construction of the center, designed by Charles Luckman, began in 1962 and the 1,620-acre facility officially opened for business in September 1963. The center is home to NASA's astronaut corps, and is responsible for training astronauts from both the U.S. and its international partners. It has become popularly known for its flight control function, identified as "Mission Control" during the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo–Soyuz, and Space Shuttle program flights. It is also the site of the former Lunar Receiving Laboratory, where the first astronauts returning from the Moon were quarantined, and where the majority of lunar samples are stored.
Command Module Boilerplate 22 (BP-22) atop a Little Joe II Launch Vehicle at Launch Complex 36, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) awaiting an Apollo Spacecraft Launch Escape System (LES) test (Mission A-003). The main/lower Boost Protective Cover (BPC) is not yet attached.
www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/JohnsonGW/gallery...
Good A-003 reading at:
www.airspacemag.com/space/confidence-booster-32681/
Last, but very NOT least:
Apollo Launch Abort - View on Imgur: m.imgur.com/t/space/2WKROwy
Credit: imgur/willpatt
See also:
Credit: Internet Archive website
The Block I CM-011, shown here during pre-launch checkout, was a fully functional Apollo Command Module.
Above from the excellent Drew ExMachina website, along with:
www.drewexmachina.com/2016/08/25/as-202-the-last-test-fli...
Vivid digital version at:
archive.org/download/S66-50642/S66-50642.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apollo_Block1_CM.PNG
Credit: JustinTime55/Wikimedia Commons
PictionID:55778872 - Catalog:Apollo Details: Project Apollo; Command Module-Nose Cone Date: 03/24/1961 - Title:Array - Filename:14_037943.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
PictionID:53109802 - Catalog:14_030916 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Command Module Mock Up with Men in Space Suits Date: 05/01/1961 - Filename:14_030916.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
The actual Apollo 17 Command Module, dubbed "America", is on display in the Starship Gallery of Space Center Houston.
Apollo 17, the final mission of NASA's Apollo program launched on December 7, 1972 with a crew made up of Commander Eugene Cernan, Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans, and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt. It was a "J-type mission" which included three days on the lunar surface, extended scientific capability, and the third Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). While Evans remained in lunar orbit in this Command/Service Module (CSM), Cernan and Schmitt spent just over three days on the moon in the Taurus–Littrow valley and completed three moonwalks, taking lunar samples and deploying scientific instruments. All three astronauts returned safely to Earth in this capsule, ending an era in space history.
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum owned and operated by the nonprofit Manned Spaceflight Education Foundation. The center opened in 1992 and hosts more than 1 million visitors annually in its 250,000-square-foot educational complex with over 400 space artifacts, permanent and traveling exhibits, attractions, live shows and theaters dedicated to preserving the history of America's human spaceflight program.
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Manned Spacecraft Center, where human spaceflight training, research, and flight control are conducted. Construction of the center, designed by Charles Luckman, began in 1962 and the 1,620-acre facility officially opened for business in September 1963. The center is home to NASA's astronaut corps, and is responsible for training astronauts from both the U.S. and its international partners. It has become popularly known for its flight control function, identified as "Mission Control" during the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo–Soyuz, and Space Shuttle program flights. It is also the site of the former Lunar Receiving Laboratory, where the first astronauts returning from the Moon were quarantined, and where the majority of lunar samples are stored.
PictionID:55778846 - Catalog:GD/Astronautics Testing Details: Convair Lark Test Program; Pt. Magu Date: 07/25/1947 - Title:Array - Filename:14_037941.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
The Apollo 11 command module Columbia hatch exterior, as seen during the exhibition, Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission, at The Museum of Flight, Seattle. The hatch served as the entry and exit point to the command module Columbia on the launch pad and after landing.
"The Apollo 11 command and service module in which three American astronauts will fly to a landing on the moon is being uncrated after its arrival at the Spaceport this week. The lunar landing attempt will be made by astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin A. Aldrin."
pictionid60385386 - catalog08002042 - title: Apollo production Downey ca - filename0802042.tif---Image from the SDASM Curatorial Collection.Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall performs at the Apollo 40th anniversary celebration held at the National Air and Space Museum, Monday, July 20, 2009 in Washington. Diana Krall talked about her love of space flight and showed off her temporary tattoo that honors Canadian Astronaut Bob Thirsk who is currently onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
A nice, not to mention, rare view of CM-009 (in its shipping container), during transport to Cape Canaveral (Cape Kennedy at the time), in preparation for the launch of AS-201. According to what I’ve found, it officially ‘arrived’ at the Cape the following day, October 25. So, if the date of this photograph is correct, this is it being offloaded from what I’ve identified as a C-133, at I assume the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station skid strip.
Note the lighthearted banner on the shipping container, with the caption of “WELL, THE NOSE CONE FINALLY MADE IT!!!”. I’m curious as to the use of “finally”. No documentation I’ve come across refers to delays in shipment of SA-201 components, although the LES, Command Module & Service Module, in that order, did arrive separately. The SLA (its first use) and RCS quads also arrived prior to the SM.
See also:
www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=667885919028276&set=pcb....
Credit: Mitchell Rothman/”NASA MANNED SPACE” Facebook group
Maybe the sequential arrival of components allowed for the interesting “topless” AS-201 photo I’ve linked to below. Interestingly, this is the only on-the-pad photo I’ve seen of a partial Saturn launch vehicle that is NOT surrounded by the service structure. And those usually featured a component or stage, being hoisted up for mating.
Sites used for my above comments:
Specifically, Figures 12.1-1 & 12.1-2. Terrible OCR; however, I’ll take what I can get:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19670074061/downloads/1967007...
www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/chrysler-corporation-space-...
Credit: “THIS DAY IN AVIATION” website
www.nasa.gov/history/55-years-ago-apollo-as-201-test-flight/
And, this is pretty neat, like a bookend of sorts. The same capsule, post-flight, possibly at the same skid strip, being loaded onto…possibly the same C-133, I assume to be returned to the manufacturer, North American Aviation, for analysis & inspection. With possibly a stop at the Manned Spacecraft Center enroute? The aircraft is misidentified as a C-130 in the caption/description:
www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-military-airlift-command-c-13...
No credit cited/due/deserved.
Although the Pregnant Guppy was in service at this time, I’m ignorantly assuming it wasn’t used due to the ‘onsey’ nature of spacecraft components…being ready to ship…I guess…maybe. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Finally, regarding the banner; although an interesting discussion thread, there's no mention/consideration of such banners WRT boilerplate capsules/unmanned Command Modules:
www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001889.html
Credit: collectSPACE website
The photo has a wonderful very fine satin sheen.
Hmm:
www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-curse-of-th...
Credit: Smithsonian Magazine website