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

Exploring the Unknown 767
Ascent preparation was conducted efficiently, and the ascent stage lifted
off the surface at 124-1/4 hours. A nominal firing of the ascent engine placed the
vehicle into a 48- by 9-mile orbit. After a rendezvous sequence similar to that of
Apollo 10, the two spacecraft were docked at 128 hours. Following transfer of the
crew, the ascent stage was jettisoned, and the command and service modules were
prepared for trans earth injection.
The return flight started with a 150-second firing of the service propulsion
engine during the 31st lunar revolution at 135-1/2 hours. As in the translunar
flight, only one midcourse correction was required, and passive thermal control
was exercised for most of transearth coast. Inclement weather necessitated
moving the landing point 215 miles downrange. The entry phase was normal,
and the command module landed in the Pacific Ocean at 195-1/4 hours. The
landing coordinates, as determined from the onboard computer, were 13 degrees
19 minutes north latitude and 169 degrees 09 minutes west longitude.
After landing, the crew donned biological isolation garments. They were
then retrieved by helicopter and taken to the primary recovery ship, USS Hornet.
The crew and lunar material samples were placed in the Mobile Quarantine Facility
for transport to the Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston. The command
module was taken aboard the Hornet about 3 hours after landing.
With the completion of Apollo 11, the national objective of landing men
on the moon and returning them safely to earth before the end of the decade had
been accomplished.
[4-1]
[Sections 2 and 3 not included]
4.0 PILOTS’ REPORT
4.1 PRELAUNCH ACTIVITIES
All prelaunch systems operations and checks were completed on time
and without dif ficulty. The configuration of the environmental control system
included operation of the secondary glycol loop and provided comfortable
cockpit temperature conditions.
4.2 LAUNCH
Lift-off occurred precisely on time with ignition accompanied by a low
rumbling noise and moderate vibration that increased significantly at the moment
of hold-down release. The vibration magnitudes decreased appreciably at the time
tower clearance was verified. The yaw, pitch, and roll guidance-program sequences
occurred as expected. No unusual sounds or vibrations while passing through the
region of maximum dynamic pressure and the angle of attack remained near zero.
The S-IC/S-II staging sequence occurred smoothly and at the expected time.