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

Exploring the Unknown 579
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................I
II. MANNED LUNAR LANDING MODE COMPARISON ................................ 1
III.
IV.
APPENDIX A - FEASIBILITY OF TWO-MAN DIRECT
FLIGHT AND EOR MANNED LUNAR MISSIONS ..................................A-1
APPENDIX B - DETAILED RELIABILITY AND SAFETY
CALCULATIONS FOR LOR, TWO-MAN EOR, AND
TWO-MAN C-5 DIRECT FLIGHT MODES ...............................................B-1
V. APPENDIX C - INDEPENDENT MODE COMPARISONS
BY SEVERAL AEROSPACE COMPANIES ..................................................C-1
VI
APPENDIX D - MODE COMPARISON OF POSSIBIE CREW
PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION WITH TIME ......................................D-1
VII. APPENDIX E - EFFECTS OF THE APOLLO MODE CHOICE
ON NATIONAL SPACE CAPABILITY ........................................................ E-1
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INTRODUCTION
On July 11, 1962, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
announced its decision to base its studies, planning and procurement for lunar
exploration primarily on the lunar orbit rendezvous mode while con tinuing
studies on the earth orbital and direct flight modes, subject to confirmation at
the time industry proposals to build the Lunar Excursion Module were finally
evaluated. Certain additional studies were also to be completed by that time.
This report summarizes the result of recent studies of the possible
application of a 2-man capsule to the earth orbit rendezvous and direct -flight
modes. It is concluded that the lunar orbit rendezvous mode is the best choice
for achieving a manned lunar landing mission before the end of the decade.
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MANNED LUNAR LANDING MODE COMPARISON
One of the major factors in the selection of a mode for the manned lunar
landing program is a comparison of the several modes being considered with a