Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

576
Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon
Document II-28
Dr. Jerome B. Wiesner, Chairman
President’s Science Advisory Committee
Executive Office Building
Washington 25, D.C.
Dear Jerry:
I was pleased to receive your letter of July 17, 1962, summarizing your
thoughts on the lunar mission mode. We are, as I have already told you, conducting
several system investigations related to the suggestions of the Space Vehicle Panel.
The specific studies currently underway are:
1. An analysis of the North American Aviation studies on the C-5 direct
mode, including consideration of a two-man capsule;
2. Continuation of the Space Technology Laboratory effort on a direct
ascent utilizing a smaller three-man capsule and a two-man capsule
based on the same design approach;
3. Preliminary design by McDonnell Aircraft of a two-man lunar mission
capsule.
The results of these studies will be available before the end of September,
and their impact on both the C-5 direct and EOR mission profiles will be evaluated
by our Office of Manned Space Flight and compared to our current planning of the
LOR mode based on the proposal submissions of the Lunar Excursion Module.
We have a continuing concern about the specific items you mentioned.
The solar flare radiation problem has been much discussed, and although some
data is available, we are keeping in close touch with those performing studies
in this area, including Dr. Van Allen. Indeed, data from Dr. Van Allen’s latest
work is being factored into our radiation hazard effort at Houston. The potential
problems from prolonged exposure to [2] zero-g can represent a major problem
for any of the modes. Both the mechanization of the spacecraft and the payload
requirements of the booster will be seriously affected if artificial gravity is required.
As you know, we consider that the Gemini program will be a basic source of
information in this area. However, our present feeling is that weightlessness, per
se, will not be a limiting problem, and we are not presently compromising the
system design to accommodate the generation of artificial gravity.
The implications of the mode decision on our national space capability
has been one of our major concerns. We believe that our program provides the
basis for a national capability in three major areas:
1. Booster payload capability, both to earth orbit and escape.
2. General spacecraft technology.