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Been meaning to ask this for a while. While sitting on the pad, the Apollo
command module is white. When you see pictures of it in space, it's silver, almost chrome looking. Is that white a shroud over the entire command module that's jettisoned when the escape tower is jettisoned? If so, why? Seems like it's a lot of extra weight at launch. Just been wondering. |
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wrote in message ...
Been meaning to ask this for a while. While sitting on the pad, the Apollo command module is white. When you see pictures of it in space, it's silver, almost chrome looking. Is that white a shroud over the entire command module that's jettisoned when the escape tower is jettisoned? If so, why? Seems like it's a lot of extra weight at launch. Just been wondering. It's called the Boost Protective Cover. It was used to protect the command module. http://www.apollosaturn.com/boost.htm You can actually note this in the movie Apollo 13, but they get the sequence messed up. They mention "BCP Clear" and then a few minutes later you see an exterior shot of it being jettisoned. (I believe you see it from the interior at the BCP Clear call when the other windows suddenly allow light in) -- Greg D. Moore http://greenmountainsoftware.wordpress.com/ CEO QuiCR: Quick, Crowdsourced Responses. http://www.quicr.net |
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I think its just how the paint looks when more UV hits it actually. I used
to notice this effect when I could see, but in shadow it still tended to look as one would expect. Changing the subject slightly though, the LEM looked like it was build fro gold foil and although i understand this was just the outside material and used for insulation and mad protection, it certainly looked very fragile. Just how fragile were the walls of the cabin section? Brian -- -- From the sofa of Brian Gaff - Blind user, so no pictures please! wrote in message ... Been meaning to ask this for a while. While sitting on the pad, the Apollo command module is white. When you see pictures of it in space, it's silver, almost chrome looking. Is that white a shroud over the entire command module that's jettisoned when the escape tower is jettisoned? If so, why? Seems like it's a lot of extra weight at launch. Just been wondering. |
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On Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:21:30 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
wrote: I think its just how the paint looks when more UV hits it actually. I used to notice this effect when I could see, but in shadow it still tended to look as one would expect. No, its the BPC (Boost Protective Cover), which is jettisoned as part of the Launch Escape System exposing the shiny Command Module we all know and love... Brian |
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On Sat, 25 Aug 2012 20:21:45 -0500, Brian Thorn wrote:
On Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:21:30 +0100, "Brian Gaff" wrote: I think its just how the paint looks when more UV hits it actually. I used to notice this effect when I could see, but in shadow it still tended to look as one would expect. No, its the BPC (Boost Protective Cover), which is jettisoned as part of the Launch Escape System exposing the shiny Command Module we all know and love... Brian So, obvioulsy, the Launch Escape System isn't connected to the BPC, but to the capsule and just projects through the cover. So my concern for unecessary weight shouldn't be a concern at all looking at what the cover is made out of. Almost seems funny given the work and material that goes into the rest of the command module. |
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On 25/08/2012 5:21 PM, Brian Gaff wrote:
I think its just how the paint looks when more UV hits it actually. I used to notice this effect when I could see, but in shadow it still tended to look as one would expect. Changing the subject slightly though, the LEM looked like it was build fro gold foil and although i understand this was just the outside material and used for insulation and mad protection, it certainly looked very fragile. Just how fragile were the walls of the cabin section? Brian I've read that when the main hatch was re-pressurised, it bulged outward quite audibly and visibly. |
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On Aug 29, 9:33*am, Jeff Findley wrote:
In article m, says... On 25/08/2012 5:21 PM, Brian Gaff wrote: I think its just how the paint looks when more UV hits it actually. I used to notice this effect when I could see, but in shadow it still tended to look as one would expect. Changing the subject slightly though, the LEM looked like it was build fro gold foil and although i understand this was just the outside material and used for insulation and mad protection, it certainly looked very fragile. Just how *fragile were the *walls of the *cabin section? I've read that when the main hatch was re-pressurised, it bulged outward quite audibly and visibly. The pressure hull of the LEM was aluminum so thin that it wouldn't take much to accidentally put a hole in it. *Apollo astronauts were real men who knew the risks, but flew anyway. Jeff thinner than a pop can ![]() |
#9
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