Neal mentioned that even though there were covers over the windows the earth light coming through the shades kept him awake. The earth's reflection of light ( albido? ) is 7 (?) times greater than the moon's.
"Apollo 15 was the first lunar exploration mission during which the crew had to learn how to 'live' (rather than 'stay') on the Moon. Our expedition of three full days on the Moon was twice as long as previous missions and restful sleep was absolutely essential for us to perform at maximum capacity during each of three full days of intense EVA activities. During previous missions, the crew had only two brief rest periods during which they remained in their stiff and bulky spacesuits. However, to work for three long days, we decided that we needed to live as close to normal conditions as practical. Therefore, we planned our work-sleep cycles according to our normal circadian rhythm (i.e., on Houston time); and because we had high confidence in the Lunar Module systems, especially the cabin pressure integrity against the harsh lunar vacuum, we decided to remove our spacesuits at the end of each day and sleep in our constant wear garments (underwear). At the conclusion of each day's activities, we hooked hammocks to the LM bulkhead using two small hooks attached to beta cloth straps sewn into the hammocks (... on Apollo 15 the straps on the hook were brown). Because of the 1/6 G environment, we only weighed 30 pounds and sleep in the hammocks was sound and restful; we averaged about six hours a night. On the third morning, prior to stowing the hammocks I cut the hook/straps from my hammock and returned them to Earth as mementos of living for three days on the Moon."
How did the astronauts sleep in the LEM on the moon?
Apollo 15,16,17 - These are the first missions the crew actually got good sleep. They ... could get out of their suits.
Quote from: Brovane on 12/05/2016 05:44 pm Apollo 15,16,17 - These are the first missions the crew actually got good sleep. They ... could get out of their suits. What was the difference with earlier missions? Merely time pressure (taking off the suits would take too long)? Or were there physical differences (suit redesigned to make it easier to take off in cramped conditions)?
Or were there physical differences (suit redesigned to make it easier to take off in cramped conditions)?