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Post by Czero 101 on Dec 21, 2008 19:25:38 GMT -4
40 years ago today, Apollo 8 crewmen Frank Borman, Jim Lovel and Bill Anders set out on a journey around the Moon, the first journey of its kind.
Cz
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Post by laurel on Dec 22, 2008 0:37:43 GMT -4
That sounds like a good reason to watch the "1968" episode of From The Earth To The Moon.
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Post by dragonblaster on Dec 22, 2008 4:20:17 GMT -4
Why would I need a special reason? Super series.
What I want to know is what the TV producers will do for July 20 next year.
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Post by Count Zero on Dec 22, 2008 5:27:31 GMT -4
What I want to know is what the TV producers will do for July 20 next year. "This summer on Fox, get ready for Celebutante Jello Wrestling!"
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Post by dragonblaster on Dec 26, 2008 16:28:55 GMT -4
"This summer on Fox, get ready for Celebutante Jello Wrestling!" ROFPML! ;D "Mah girl Shona, she got no ideah, Ah'm about to Pimp Her Boobs!"
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Post by Ginnie on Feb 1, 2009 1:26:34 GMT -4
Five years ago today was the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
RIP: * Michael P. Anderson (b. 1959) * David Brown (b. 1956) * Kalpana Chawla (b. 1961) * Laurel Clark (b. 1961) * Rick D. Husband (b. 1957) * Willie McCool (b. 1961) * Ilan Ramon (b. 1954)
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Post by gwiz on Feb 1, 2009 6:30:21 GMT -4
While I was away (phone connection problems) I missed a couple of the 40th anniversary events I've been including in this thread for the run-up to Apollo 11. Here they are:
Jan 14 - Soyuz 4, the initial launch in a major Russian first, the docking of two manned spacecraft. Soyuz 4 had a single crewman and took the active role in the docking with Soyuz 5 which was launched with a three-man crew the following day. While docked, two of the Soyuz 5 crew performed an EVA to transfer to Soyuz 4. Both craft returned after three days in space. The Soyuz 5 return was alarming since the service modeule failed to jettison, meaning that the craft was aerodynamically stable facing the wrong way. Fortunately, the service module eventually disintegrated when the residual fuel exploded, allowing the crew module to flip to the correct attitude before the thinner protective layer on the upper side burned through.
Jan 20 - another launch failure of an unmanned Zond circumlunar test. The launch escape system functioned and brought the crew module down near the Mongolian border.
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Post by gwiz on Feb 19, 2009 7:36:37 GMT -4
It's 40 years since the Russians launched the first of their series of large - five tonne - Luna moon probes. Unlike the earlier series, they were intended to enter lunar orbit and either land with a sample return payload or a Lunokhod moon rover, or remain in orbit to survey the moon. In other words, their landing technique had more in common with Apollo than with the earlier Lunas or the US Surveyors. The first of the series carried a Lunokhod, but the third stage of its Proton launch vehicle failed before it even reached low earth orbit.
Two days later, the first launch of the N1, the Russian equivalent of the Saturn V, failed during its first launch due to multiple problems with the thirty rocket engines in the first stage. The capsule of the modified Zond payload was saved by the launch escape system and recovered 30 km downrange. As with the early Saturn V tests, a mock-up of a lunar lander was also aboard.
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Post by orangesoil on Mar 2, 2009 16:54:01 GMT -4
Tomorrow, March 3 is fulfilled the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 9 .. The first mission to use lunar module (Spider) for test in Earth orbit. Wherever you are, congratulations to the crew Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart ...
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Jason
Pluto
May all your hits be crits
Posts: 5,579
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Post by Jason on Mar 2, 2009 18:02:46 GMT -4
Today, of course, is Dr. Suess' 104th birthday. Not related to Apollo, really, but still cool.
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Post by gwiz on Mar 3, 2009 15:27:24 GMT -4
Tomorrow, March 3 is fulfilled the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 9 .. The first mission to use lunar module (Spider) for test in Earth orbit. Wherever you are, congratulations to the crew Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart ... A major first on this mission was having a crew in a vehicle incapable of returning them to earth. Once the LM crew had separated from Scott in the CSM, their manoeuvres with the LM had to end in a successful rendezvous and docking, or they would not get home. On the whole a very succesful mission, with only two significant shortcomings. The first was the S-IVB Saturn upper stage underperforming slightly when carrying out some major manoeuvres after Apollo separation, though it still reached escape velocity and entered solar orbit. The second problem was Schweickart's bout of space sickness, which led to the plans for his spacewalk being curtailed, with the external transfer from LM to CSM cut out.
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Post by orangesoil on Mar 3, 2009 19:12:23 GMT -4
Second your motion Gwiz. The Apollo 8 successfully tested the entire CSM, both in TLI, in its 10 orbits around the Moon and their TEI. The mission of Apollo 9 was the first test LEM: Your systems, maneuverability (both married and separated), and the Rendezvouz and docking. Hence, among other things, it added to the position of the LEM reactors (RCS) a curved plate to the descent stage to avoid the gas jet damaged the hull of the ship. A curious detail: First, the Apollo 8 was the one who had to test the LEM in Earth orbit and Apollo 9 was intended to be the first to fly to the moon with a LEM, perform a DOI, and return. The Apollo 10 was scheduled to be the first to land on the moon. What happened? In late 1968 came a rumor to the Agency that the Soviets would send their first men to the moon, so the Americans could not allow that to be the first. But the Apollo 8 had no plans to launch until early 1969, even so had not done his Grumman LEM, then the Agency decided to send the Apollo 8 orbiting the Moon without LEM in December 1968 at the risk that if the ship failed, would die in space in a desperate attempt to overtake its rival. The original crew of Apollo 8 were McDivitt, Scott and Schweickart, but were changed by Borman, Lovell and Anders. The change was due to McDivitt was hard to be the first to test the LEM. Then, everything was as we know. Later Apollo 20 was canceled, partly because of the change in plans. And after the crash of Apollo 13 was also canceled the Apollo 19 and 18. Damn! Which would have not to cancel the last missions.
To mention that 40 years ago for the first time tested the genial lunar module: Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart. Also greetings to all users of ApolloHoax.
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Post by gwiz on Mar 27, 2009 12:36:00 GMT -4
Slightly off-topic for Apollo, but 40 years ago today both the Russians and NASA launched probes to Mars. NASA's mission, Mariner 7, joined Mariner 6 launched a few weeks earlier in carrying out a successful Mars fly-by mission in August 1969. The Russian mission, using the same launch vehicle as the Zond manned lunar probes, failed to even reach earth orbit. A second attempt on Apr 2nd met a similar fate.
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Post by LunarOrbit on Apr 12, 2009 18:54:07 GMT -4
Almost missed it... happy Yuri's Night everyone! 48 years ago today Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Edited to add: it is also the 28th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Shuttle.
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Post by gwiz on May 18, 2009 5:20:37 GMT -4
40 years ago Apollo 10 was launched. In a dress rehearsal for the first moon landing, the crew tested the LM in lunar orbit, practising the landing approach, testing the landing radar and the rendezvous with the CSM. The only problem was an unexpected attitude departure after LM staging, traced to an incorrect switch setting that led to different systems trying to control the craft. An extensive programme of lunar photography was carried out. Just before re-entry, the crew set an absolute human speed record of 11.09 km/s which still stands.
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