Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn |
The Apollo contract specified a shirt-sleeve environment. For this reason, North American was told not to include in its design a hatch that opened by explosives, like Mercury’s. An accidentally blown hatch in space would cause an instant vacuum and certain death for an astronaunt not wearing his pressure suit.
![Major parts of the CM Structure](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/he-drawing-outlines-major-parts-of-the-command-module-structure.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Major parts of the CM Structure
![NAA Apollo Team Storms, Paup, and Feltz](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/North-American-Aviation-Stormy.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
NAA Apollo Team Storms, Paup, and Feltz
![Carpenter, Glenn, & Schirra in a full-scale mock up of the CM](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Scott-Carpenter-John-Glenn-and-Walter-Schirra-in-1963-inspect-a-full-scale-mock-up-of-the-Apollo-CM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Carpenter, Glenn, & Schirra in a full-scale mock up of the CM
![The Impact Facility at NAA](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/The-impact-facility-at-North-American-was-used-to-drop-test-the-CM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
The Impact Facility at NAA
![Interior of a partial full-scale mockup of CM](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Interior-of-a-partial-full-scale-mockup-of-the-Apollo-command-module.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Interior of a partial full-scale mockup of CM
![Complete Apollo Family](https://i0.wp.com/www.spacerockethistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Selection-of-Little-Joe-II-completed-the-Apollo-family-of-launch-vehicles..gif?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Complete Apollo Family