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Flight Experience with Apollo Spacecraft Propulsion Systems
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English
Abstract
Apollo 17 ended the most successful application of rocket propulsion systems in man's history. A total of 23 developmental and manned operational flights were made. Seven hundred and sixty-three spacecraft rocket engines were flown in the program. Over 6 h of manned rocket flights were logged by the spacecraft propulsion systems and approximately one million rocket engine firings were made. One engine failure was encountered on an early unmanned flight as a result of a failure in the guidance programmer which caused the engine to operate in a manner known to cause failures. Numerous operational problems and malfunctions were observed; however, system and component redundancy prevented loss of mission objectives and never jeopardized crew safety. Performance of all systems was usually nominal and most problems were merely nuisances. This paper will present some highlights of Apollo propulsion performance and will provide a bibliography of all flight results.
Authors
Citation
Thibodaux, J., "Flight Experience with Apollo Spacecraft Propulsion Systems," SAE Technical Paper 730941, 1973, https://doi.org/10.4271/730941.Also In
References
- Thibodaux, Joseph G. Jr. “Apollo Spacecraft Propulsion Systems.” SAE Transactions 78 1969 paper 690704
- Vaughan Chester A. Villemarette Robert Karakulko Witalij Blevins Donald R. “Apollo Experience Report-Lunar Module Reaction Control System.” NASA TN D-6740 March 1972
- Townsend Neil A. “Apollo Experience Report-Launch Escape Propulsion Subsystem.” NASA TN D-7083 July 1972
- Gibson Cecil R. Wood James A. “Apollo Experience Report-Service Propulsion Subsystem.” NASA MSC-04940 March 1973
- Taeuber Ralph J. Weary Dwayne P. “Apollo Experience Report-Command and Service Module Reaction Control System.” NASA TN D-7151 November 1972
- Hooper, John C. III “Performance Analysis of the Ascent Propulsion System of the Apollo Spacecraft.” NASA MSC-07255 February 1973
- Hammock, William R. Jr. Currie Eldon C. Fisher Arlie E. “Apollo Experience Report-Descent Propulsion System.” NASA TN D-7143 October 1972
- “Apollo 17 Mission Report.” March 1973
- “Apollo 16 Mission Report.” August 1972
- “Apollo 15 Mission Report.’” December 1971
- “Apollo 14 Mission Report.” May 1971
- “Apollo 13 Mission Report.” September 1970
- “Apollo 12 Mission Report.” March 1970
- “Apollo 11 Mission Report.” November 1969
- “Apollo 10 Mission Report.” August 1969
- “Apollo 9 Mission Report.” May 1969
- “Apollo 8 Mission Report.” February 1969
- “Apollo 7 Mission Report.” December 1968
- “Apollo 6 Mission Report.” May 1968
- “Apollo 5 Mission Report.” March 1968