I was reading a passage on the alsj a16 and came across this:151:08:23 Duke: Okay, the SRC number 2 weighs 41 pounds (18.6 kg). SCB-3, which is in sample containment bag number 3, weighs 30 pounds (13.6 kg). SCB-1, which is in sample containment bag number 4, weighs 26 pounds (11.8 kg). Over. What did they use to weigh the bags and where the measuring 'moon-pounds' or was it converted to 'earth-pounds'?
I know but How did they weigh them and was the weight allready converted when the passed in on to houston?
Quote from: Hoonte on 03/17/2010 10:07 amI know but How did they weigh them and was the weight allready converted when the passed in on to houston?I have no idea what instrument was actually used but one of the smallest und lightest that come to mind is a simple spring scale.
Quote from: gomorrha on 03/17/2010 10:26 amQuote from: Hoonte on 03/17/2010 10:07 amI know but How did they weigh them and was the weight allready converted when the passed in on to houston?I have no idea what instrument was actually used but one of the smallest und lightest that come to mind is a simple spring scale.A spring scale would have to be converted, but a balance scale would not need to be. Just a bit heavier and more complicated to use than a spring scale. Of course you could have two scales on a spring scale, one calibrated for earth g, the other moon g.
HIThe Apollo lunar lander missions used a lightweight spring scale - of similar type you will find in many households - which was flown on Apollo 14 through 17 with the readings being given in terrestrial pounds. Apollo-11 and Apollo-12 used a slightly different spring scale mechanism which proved to be inferior to the later scale.Phill P.