Space Rocket History #312 – Apollo 14 – Lunar Landing – Part 2

Posted on August 14, 2019 by spac9750

Suddenly the caution lights went out and the radar signals began to transmit. Within seconds the astronauts could see that its data was good. Seconds later in mission control, a jubilant Will Presley shouted, “Flight, we got radar lockup!”

Landing Point Designator
North Triplet Crater
Slant Range during Powered Descent

Aug 07

Space Rocket History #311 – Apollo 14 – Lunar Landing – Part 1

Posted on August 7, 2019 by spac9750

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While checking the lander’s guidance software, during a final practice run for the landing, engineers in mission control detected that the computer was receiving an errant signal from the abort pushbutton.

LM Abort Pushbutton
LM DSKY
LM Throttle

Jul 31

Space Rocket History #310 – Apollo 14 – Lunar Orbit

Posted on July 31, 2019 by spac9750

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The first extended use of the Service Propulsion System engine on the Command and Service module was for the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) burn.

Antares Undocked
Antares moving away from Kitty Hawk
Antares Upside-down

Jul 24

Space Rocket History #309 – Apollo 14 – The Long Coast

Posted on July 24, 2019 by spac9750

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Mitchell kept his plan a secret from NASA, knowing that the agency would be completely unreceptive to the idea. He said nothing about it to his crewmates. The test subjects had also agreed to keep quiet.