Thursday, July 2, 2009

LIGHT MY LUNAR MODULE!


Prior to the Apollo 11 landing there were concerns about the potentially catastrophic buildup of static electricity in the Lunar Module during lunar surface operations. One of the more interesting causes was the "clothesline," a pulley-mounted conveyor which was to be used to pass items from the ascent stage to the ground. NASA's elegant solution? Attach a bunch of little metallic leads to the conveyor cord to discharge any errant electrons. It was simple and effective. The attached memo refers to the ongoing efforts to eliminate risk, in this "highly specialized technical area..." He can say that again!

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WELCOME TO THE FUTURE, CIRCA 1969

Welcome to the Missions to the Moon book blog. This is a place to re-live the heady days of the Apollo and Soyuz lunar programs- perhaps the crowning achievements of the 20th Century. Many blog entries will include a new downloadable image or artifact from the space age- items rarely seen and not available in print. It's all in the spirit of my newest book, Missions to the Moon- to remember the great adventure of the Golden Age of space exploration, and ponder what wonders await us in space.

For more info on the author, go to www.rodpylebooks.com.