Some have made claims that Apollo missions’ technological innovations prove that space exploration is unfounded, which they fail to see the point.
On later, longer Apollo missions, the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), used for scientific pursuits by expanding astronaut exploration areas. Deployed from the Lunar Module bay by climbing out its egress ladder, its wheeled design maximized scientific gains while expanding scientific pursuits.
The LRV
The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) allowed astronauts to explore further than they could on foot and was an essential component of surface extravehicular activity. Constructed by Boeing, this two-astronaut-capable vehicle featured both low and high gain antennas for communication with Earth as well as ground control television assemblies which enabled engineers back on Earth to monitor astronaut progress as well as tools and sample stowage bags for safekeeping.
The Rover was powered by two 36-volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide non-rechargeable batteries with a total charge capacity of 242 amp hours (A*h), providing power for its drive and steering motors as well as other equipment such as the communications relay unit and TV camera. They were passively cooled using change-of-phase wax thermal capacitor packages; radiators mounted at the front of LRV were covered with mylar blankets to reduce dust accumulation.
A T-shaped hand controller mounted to the control and display console post between crewmen enabled them to maneuver the LRV in all four directions – forward, backwards, left, and right. It could traverse obstacles 30.5 centimeters (1 foot) high while crossing crevasses 70 centimeters wide; climb slopes up to 25 degrees before parking on slopes 35 degrees steep – and had pitch/roll stability angles of at least +- 45 degrees along with a turn radius of three meters (10 feet).
On each traverse, the LRV was driven for approximately 30 kilometers (15 miles). If a total failure were to occur in its engine or other parts, only enough oxygen and water would remain for one return trip to be made back to base camp.
Onboard the LRV was a directional gyro and odometer which provided accurate tracking of direction and distance from Lunar Base 1 for each traverse, recording total lunar surface mileage on every traverse as part of its navigation system. Furthermore, manual updates could be made via Sun compass devices that gave astronauts direct control over their vehicle when traversing lunar shadow.
The Lunar Module
The Lunar Module (LM), affectionately known by astronauts as “Moon buggy”, was a two-part spacecraft which carried two astronauts from lunar orbit to its surface and back again. The descent stage carried landing gear and engines; its ascent stage carried astronauts and their equipment, including rock samples collected during exploration missions. Six Lunar Modules made their journeys between 1969 and 1972.
At launch, the LM was attached to its Spacecraft-to-Lunar-Module Adapter on the S-IVB third stage of Saturn V rocket and folded inside for safe transportation through earth parking orbit and trans lunar injection (TLI) burn that put it into lunar orbit.
Engineers at Grumman developed the LM mainly based on necessity and experience rather than aerodynamic efficiency. Necessity dictated a two-seater design; experience showed astronauts would need somewhere to sit while waiting for its descent engine to launch and drop them onto the lunar surface. Thus resulted in a boxy spacecraft with four bubble-like windows for visibility purposes.
As soon as the LM reached lunar orbit, it separated from its Command and Service Module (CSM), while leaving its pilot aboard to continue orbiting the Moon. Subsequently, it underwent its Trans Lunar Initiation burn which brought it closer to lunar approach.
Once in lunar orbit, its descent engine began firing. Following visual inspection by its pilot and firing of a Descent Orbit Insertion burn to slow its velocity down further, its perilune dropped down to less than 50,000 feet above Moon surface.
After donning their moon boots and visors, the crew prepared for landing. A lunar roving vehicle (LRV), waiting in its compartment behind the descent module, was prepared to roll when instructed; once Armstrong and Aldrin touched down on the Moon’s surface, their return journey back home via CSM was captured in one unforgettable television image that resonated globally – an audacious vision realized over decades of effort.
The Descent Stage
Between 1969 and 1972, six lunar modules like those seen here landed 12 astronauts to the Moon as part of the Apollo program. Their Lunar Module Descent Stage, or LM Descent Stage was the gold-and-black lower section containing its rocket engine, fuel tanks, science exploration equipment and ladder for astronauts such as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to take their initial steps on the lunar surface. Furthermore, its descent stage also contained docking ports to facilitate its reentry and rendezvous with orbiting Command and Service Modules (CSMs).
Grumman constructed and named their LM Descent Stage “EXPERIMENT”, though NASA disliked this name due to its connotations of frivolity. It was the first spacecraft ever designed to fly solely within vacuum conditions and featured an innovative throttleable rocket engine; an important breakthrough in spacecraft design.
Structure. The Lunar Module’s structure consisted of aluminum beam pairs connected by four-legged truss outriggers at both ends, forming an octagonal shape during launch. Furthermore, this spacecraft was fitted with reaction control system engine clusters used to maneuver it during ascent.
Heat shields were secured to the descent stage, consisting of layers of nickel foil and glass wool covered in an outer H film layer for added protection during its three-day coast phase to lunar orbit, as well as protecting it against lunar surface exhaust gases when landing on lunar surfaces.
Once in lunar orbit, a 30-second descent orbit insertion burn slowed the craft down and brought its perilune within about 50,000 feet (15 km) of the lunar surface, enabling its rocket engines to slow it down and enable it to linger above it before making preparations for landing.
At the appointed moment, Eagle launched its descent rockets sequentially until finally touching down in the Sea of Tranquillity on 20 July 1969. Armstrong guided Eagle semi-manually through an intricate network of rockets before finally touching down in its final location – the Sea of Tranquillity.
The Crew Compartment
Throughout their three weeks of training, astronauts performed extensive exercises in the Crew Compartment. Conceived to be as comfortable as possible, this spacecraft could accommodate six astronauts: commander, pilot and two mission specialist astronauts. On its top level was an accurate flight deck or cockpit complete with lights, panels, seats and switches found in real orbiters; additionally a closed circuit TV system supported the training process.
Apollo 11 crew departed Earth aboard a conical command/service module (CSM), docked with lunar module (LM). One astronaut remained aboard CSM to perform lunar landing while two went directly down into lunar module (LM).
The spacecraft was powered by both electric motors and chemical batteries, with an attached tether used to keep it connected to its docking port, while its command/service module featured an antenna for communication with mission control both from within the LM and outside it.
In fact, the Lunar Communications Relay Unit on board the LM allowed astronauts to send photos back home from rovers they used while exploring lunar surface using low gain communications antenna or high gain communications antenna respectively. Furthermore, astronauts could send commands directly to these vehicles via low gain communications antenna when moving and high gain antenna when stationary on lunar surface.
Apollo 11 astronauts accomplished a historic landing on the Moon in July 1969 through a series of step-by-step procedures, with this film detailing this milestone event and providing both general viewers and scientists with information regarding technical aspects of mission.
Miller carefully depicted the reality of NASA missions with awe-inspiring yet understandable visuals in this movie, making an unforgettable impactful tribute to both their incredible accomplishments and cinema. A must-see for fans of space and science alike!