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Author Topic: Apollo ALSEP RTG  (Read 9361 times)

Offline nicp

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Apollo ALSEP RTG
« on: 05/01/2023 04:42 pm »
This document  - https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc868161/m2/1/high_res_d/4142677.pdf - on page 8 of the PDF, page 4 of the original document says...

"For trans-portation to the moon the heat source was placed in a graphite LM fuel cask (GLFC)"

This and other documents say the LM pilot placed the RTG for the ALSEP. I understand the 'GLFC' was mounted on the outside of the descent stage of the LM.

But I can't so far find pictures of the GLFC on the LM. Can someone show or link to a picture of a LM pointing out where the GLFC is?

Thanks,
Nic
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Offline Hobbes-22

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #1 on: 05/01/2023 04:55 pm »
Apollo 12 made pictures of the ALSEP setup that include a few of the heat source being removed from the LM:
AS12-46-6786 to AS12-46-6792

From https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a12/images12.html, higher resolution images can be found at https://tothemoon.ser.asu.edu/gallery/Apollo

It looks like this is to the left of the MESA.
« Last Edit: 05/01/2023 04:56 pm by Hobbes-22 »
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Offline Jim

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #2 on: 05/01/2023 04:58 pm »
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Offline whitelancer64

Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #3 on: 05/01/2023 05:03 pm »
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Offline whitelancer64

Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #4 on: 05/01/2023 05:20 pm »
In the LM Handbook there is an excellent diagram (page 17 of this PDF) with the location of the RTG cask clearly labeled.

https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/LM10HandbookVol1.pdf
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"One bit of advice: it is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree -- make sure you understand the fundamental principles, ie the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to." - Elon Musk
"There are lies, damned lies, and launch schedules." - Larry J

Offline whitelancer64

Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #5 on: 05/01/2023 05:45 pm »
Here's a photograph of the Apollo 14 LM on the lunar surface. The fuel cask is clearly visible on the side of the LM near the center of the photo.

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"One bit of advice: it is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree -- make sure you understand the fundamental principles, ie the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to." - Elon Musk
"There are lies, damned lies, and launch schedules." - Larry J

Offline whitelancer64

Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #6 on: 05/01/2023 06:19 pm »
Apollo 15 with the cask in the lowered position. Attachment mechanism is clearly seen. 
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"One bit of advice: it is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree -- make sure you understand the fundamental principles, ie the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to." - Elon Musk
"There are lies, damned lies, and launch schedules." - Larry J

Offline Blackstar

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #7 on: 05/01/2023 08:37 pm »
Here is the 1979 ALSEP Termination Report.
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Offline nicp

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #8 on: 05/01/2023 10:56 pm »
Great info, thanks everyone.
I'm now wondering if there were any thermal management needs while the RTG was in the SLA (spacecraft–LM adapter) while it was on the pad.
But I haven't had a chance to search on that or properly read the linked documents, so I'll do that now.
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Offline Jim

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #9 on: 05/02/2023 02:15 pm »
Quote from: nicp on 05/01/2023 10:56 pm
Great info, thanks everyone.
I'm now wondering if there were any thermal management needs while the RTG was in the SLA (spacecraft–LM adapter) while it was on the pad.
But I haven't had a chance to search on that or properly read the linked documents, so I'll do that now.

There was directed air purge on it.  But it wasn't installed until the day before launch.
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Offline Blackstar

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #10 on: 05/02/2023 03:20 pm »
FYI, just saw this slide this morning.
« Last Edit: 05/02/2023 03:21 pm by Blackstar »
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Offline Jim

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Re: Apollo ALSEP RTG
« Reply #11 on: 05/02/2023 04:56 pm »
Read that this building was used to prep the RTG.
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