Lunar Module Hatch Prototype

Any Apollo history buffs out there?

This peculiar artifact appears to be a LM upper hatch, circa 1964, perhaps used in pressure testing. Curious to learn more about it if it looks familiar to anyone.

The oval port is a likely precursor to the cabin relief and dump valve, a differential-pressure, servo-actuated, poppet valve that prevented cabin over-pressurization. It also housed an optional bacterial filter, only used on Apollo 11.

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Comments

jurvetson says:

Other side:

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Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

jerryfi_99 says:

It does look like the upper docking hatch. Search for LMA 790 and NAS 9-1100 for manuals on the LEM. Check page A-110 of this:
history.nasa.gov/ap13rb/appApt3.pdf
and page 2-6 of:
www.footnote.com/image/228144716/#228144716
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

gcquinn says:

Got all the basics that a Lunar Module Hatch Prototype should have!! Very Buck Rodgers.
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

biotron says:

ah, but it did it have Wilma Deering inside? no - thought not :(
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

One can dream...

jerryfi: thanks. Some great images there (even more Buck-Deer-esque). A sample:

Lunar Module Interior, looking aft:

From LEM Manual: First Manned Lunar Landing Familiarization Manual, Gannett, July 15, 1964
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

ideastoday says:

Nice find. I love the quality control tag and vintage Grumman logo.
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

Without a sense of scale, the first photo looked like the top of a beer can with some special flip up lid.... and if you've seen the apollo capsule in Smithsonian, probably had a similar sense of deja vu-doo.

Steve is secretly assembling a spare Apollo system.... like that guy in 'Contact' who parallel produced his own space travel system. Go Steve! I wanna call shotgun right now for that 3 seater in the command module.
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

WF&DT says:

That LEM diagram must be an older one; it shows the forward hatch in the original circular configuration, before NASA discovered a PLSS-wearing astronaut couldn't get through it and made the hatch square instead.

cool stuff as always!!
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Yes, the drawings are from 1964, the year that spaceaholic thought the prototype hatch was from. full text

Victor 1: about 3 ft. across. I wanted to cut a hole and mount it through my office door, but it is too large.
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Lunar Module Hatch Prototype

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jurvetson says:

jerryfi_99 says:

gcquinn says:

biotron says:

jurvetson says:

ideastoday says:

Victor1 says:

WF&DT says:

jurvetson says:

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