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

706
Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon
I would very much appreciate your thoughtful consideration of these aspects of
the decision, as well as any other facets of the problem which we may not have
considered, so that we may benefit from your views at the meeting on Sunday.
One technique that we have been using in our considerations of the risk involved
is the Mission Risk Assessment Form. I am sending along a copy of the form and
an explanation of its use. I have found it helpful in trying to arrive at an assessment
of how to minimize the overall risk of a lunar landing. If you can find the time to
complete the form and wish to provide me with a copy, I would be very grateful.
[3]
I am looking forward to our meeting on Sunday. Again, you have my personal
thanks and appreciation for your willingness to give up so much of your time for
the progress of the Apollo Program.
Sincerely,
[Signed George]
Associate Administrator
For Manned Space Flight
Introduction:
Document II-63
SPECIAL NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 10 AND 11, 1968
During the period of August 9 to August 19, 1968, I set forth in some
special notes the activities that took place in that time period concerning the
Apollo 8 lunar orbit flight.
In the intervening time since the middle of August, planning in the
entire manned space flight organization has proceeded in accordance with the
steps outlined in the earlier notes. Spacecraft checkout went extremely well, and a
modification period to make those changes that were necessitated by the mission
reassignment took place in good order. The spacecraft went through its unmanned
and manned altitude chamber tests, was moved to the VAB, erected on AS 503, and
moved to the launch pad several days prior to the Apollo 7 flight. In the same time
period, all of the mission planning and flight crew training also focused on the
planned circumlunar flight. No new factors came to light that weren’t understood,
at least in general terms, at the time of the mid-August decisions.
The Apollo 7 flight took place in the period from October 11 to October 22.
All of the mission objectives were accomplished, and the spacecraft’s performance
far exceeded my expectations. There were, of course, some anomalies with the
equipment; but, in general, these were explained either during the flight or shortly