On 9/6/2011 7:39 PM, Jorge R. Frank wrote:
There was a thermal and micrometiorite sheild -
http://jeffreyellis.org/tlmp/files/facts/lm_descent.gif. I think it was
also intended to prevent the Ascent Stage thrust from getting into all
the tanks etc on the Descent Stage - no BOOM. Propellant was vented, but
then there was the pressurising gas and any residual oxygen in storage.

I knew about the shield but thought it only covered the tanks, not the
descent engine compartment in the center. The cutaway drawing you linked
doesn't make that clear either. There aren't many pictures of the
descent stage from above, but this one shows an open hole

http://www.apollomissionphotos.com/apollo12/108ksc69p220.jpg

There's a drawing of the hole in the descent module he
http://www.space1.com/Spacecraft_Dat...t_cutaway.html

Pat