Post Launch Mission Operation No.

M-932-68-08

Report

MEMORANDUM 10 February To: From : Subiect: A/Acting MA/Apollo Apollo Administrator Program 8 Mission Director Post Launch Report # 1 1969

(AS-503)

The Apollo Saturday, craft that Space based Apollo and and all evaluation continuing Flight

8 mission 21 December crew in the flight of the

was

successfully 1968 and upon recovery were attained.

launched completed area quick-look results

from as planned

the

Kennedy with crew 27 December

Space

Center of the Initial

on

recovery debriefing

space-

Pacific based

on Friday, data and

1968.

indicates

mission and

objectives appropriate technical

refined

Further detailed analysis of all data is of the mission will be reported in Manned

Center

reports. as described as having in this achieved report, agency I am recommending preset primary that the

on mission 8 mission considered

performance be adjudged a success.

objectives

Lt.

General, Program

USAF Director APPROVAL:

Apollo

ssociate Manned

Administrator Space Flight

for

Report

No.

M-932-68-08

POST LAUNCH MISSION OPERATION

REPORT

APOLLO
Prepared by: Apollo Program

8 MISSION
Office-MAO FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

OFFICEOFMANNEDSPACEFLI GHT

M-932-68-08

NASA

MISSION

OBJECTIVES 8

FOR APOLLO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES Demonstrate during crew/space Saturn vehicle/mission V mission of nominal activities, with

support CSM and selected

facilities

performance

a manned

Demonstrate Rendezvous Translunar CSM CSM

performance (LOR) mission

backup

Lunar

Orbit

including:

injection communications, assessment and and passive midcourse thermal corrections control

navigation, consumables

Lt. General, USAF Apollo Program Director

/
Date: 12 %Q,

i96K

Date:

/3

./

RESULTS Based upon review of the assessed 1968, above.

OF APOLLO performance this mission

8 MISSION of Apollo is adjudged 8, launched a success 2 1 December in accordance 1968 with

and completed 27 December the pre-set objectives stated

Lt.

General, Program

USAF Director

Apollo

A&iate Manned

Ad ministrator Space Flight

for

12/9/68

Page

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M-932

-68-08

GENERAL The Apollo Saturday, all mission objectives occurred 8 (AS-503) 2 1 December objectives that and were these will mission 1968, were was launched a.m. from EST. Only the Kennedy data as well minor sections. Space review as four Center indicates detailed on that test

at 7:51

Initial

successfully

accomplished, in succeeding

not originally be discussed

planned.

anomalies

and discrepancies

COUNTDOWN The holds planned opening terminal and countdown at T-9 launch no additional for Apollo hours window and holds 8 began 1 hour were at 07:51 MISSION The Apollo Kennedy down. inserted checkout 8 space Space Following vehicle a nominal was launched phase, at 21:51 hours EST on 20 December. 30 minutes occurred were initiated at the on time Built-in as

of 6 hours of the

at T-3 EST,

required.

Launch 21 December.

SUMMARY from Launch Complex 1968, and after S-IVB 39, Pad A, combination at the countwas

Center

at 07:51

EST on 21 December the spacecraft nautical Injection by 103.3 Translunar

a satisfactory

boost

into a parking of spacecraft

orbit of 98.0 the systems, Time

miles (NM). After a post-insertion (TLI) maneuver was initiated the S-IVB engine and burning

at 02:50:37 Ground Elapsed for 5 minutes 9 seconds.

(GET)

by reigniting

The spacecraft separated from the S-IV6 at 03:20:59 GET, and performed maneuvers using the Service Module Reaction Control System (SM RCS). midcourse The missions, conducted correction coast various and of 24.8 phase GET. systems feet per second (fps) was conducted sightings, at two translunar was devoted checks. to navigation A second

separation The first GET. transfps was

11:OO:OO television of 1.4

midcourse

correction

at 60:59:56

The 246.9-second duration was performed at 69:08:20 An SPS maneuver in a lunar orbit the 20 hours The lunar orbit lunar (TEI). GET, of 59.7

Service Propulsion System (SPS) I unar orbit insertion maneuver GET, and the initial lunar orbit was 168.5 by 59.9 NM. to circularize the orbit was conducted at 73:35:07 GET and resulted by 60.7 spent phase NM. A total orbit. maneuvers television 203.7 involved numerous landing-site/landmark preparation for Transearth was conducted at of 10 revolutions was completed during in lunar

11 minutes coast

between

sightings, Injection 89:19:17

photography, two The TEI maneuver, using the SPS.

transmissions, and seconds in duration,

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M-932-6&08

During maneuvers system number and two

both

translunar of about one

and within television

transearth per nominal

coast hour limits. sightings,

phases, were The using GET. was at at

passive effected,

thermal when coast

control possible, period and moon

roll to maintain a

revolution navigation made at

temperatures of star/horizon additional

transearth both the

involved

earth

horizons, correction

transmissions. 103~5954 separation feet)

The only

transearth

midcourse

was a 4.8 Command reached velocity Following Ocean from the

fps maneuver Module/Service the entry interface of 36,221 normal

Module (400,000 of all and

146:28:48 GET. path

GET, Entry angle landed

and of -6.5

the

spacecraft were degrees. Pacific a

146:46:13 a flight the

conditions in the

fps (36,219 deployment latitude splashdown the spacecraft

fps planned) parachutes,

and

spacecraft

at 08O07.5N predicted and

16501.2W The total point. and crew were

longitude, less than flight duration was recovered by the

one nautical mile 147 hours 00 minutes after

42 seconds, landing. Almost varied sumables exceptionally satisfactorily objectives. Summaries without within

USS YORKTOWN

exception, acceptable was always good, performed and all

spacecraft limits live and television flight plan maintained

systems essentially

operated exhibited level. and transmitted

as intended. predicted Communications

All

temperatures Conwas crew The quality

behavior.

usage

at a safe was functions

on six occasions. achieved all

photographic

of mission

events,

orbits,

and

maneuvers

are

presented

in Tables

I,

II,

and

Ill.

TABLE SUMMARY EVE NT

I EVENTS TIME, HR:MIN:SEC GET ACTUAL

OF MISSION

PLANNED Launch Range Lift-off Max S-IC S-IC Q (Maximum center outboard engine engine Dynamic cutoff cutoff Pressure) Phase Zero (125 I:00 GMT) oo:oo:oo oo:oo:o 00:01:16 00:02:06 00:02:3 1 1

oo:oo:oo oo:oo:o 00:01:19 00:02:06 00:02:34 1

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M-932-68-08

S-IC/S-II S-II engine

separation
ignition jettison (2nd plane separation)

00:02:32 00:02:33 00:03:02 00:03:08 00:08:4 00:08:42 00:08:42 00: 11:24 parking orbit 00: 11:34 1

00:02:34 00:02:35 00:03:04 00:03:09 00:08:44 00:08:45 00:08:45 00: 11:25 00: 11:35

Interstage Launch S-II

escape

tower

jettison

engine

cutoff separation

S-II/S-IV9 S-IV9 S-IV9 Insertion Orbital Transl engine engine

ignition cutoff earth

into Phase unar

injection injection

ignition cutoff Module separation

02:50:37 02:55:53 03:20:52 03:40:00 Not planned

02:50:37 02:55:56 03:20:59 03:40:01 04:45:01 05:07:56 05:12:56 11 :oo:oo 1 1:00:02 60:59:56 61:00:08 1 69:08:20 69:12:27 73:35:07 73:35: 16

Translunar

S-IVB/Command Separation Separation Start S-IV9

maneuver maneuver propellant propellant correction correction correction correction insertion insertion insertion insertion

1 2 dump dump 1 ignition 1 cutoff 2 ignition 2 cutoff 1 ignition 1 cutoff 2 ignition 2 cutoff

05:07:53 05:12:53 1 1 :oo:oo 11:00:02 61:08:51 6 1:09:03 69:08:5 69: 11:36 73:32:17 73:32:27

End S-IV9 Midcourse Midcourse Midcourse Midcourse Lunar Lunar Lunar Lunar orbit orbit orbit orbit

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M-932-68-08

Transearth Transearth Midcourse Midcourse CM/SM Entry Begin

injection injection correction correction separation

ignition cutoff 3 ignition 3 cutoff

89:16:10 89: 19:28 104:16:10 104:16:24 146:31:13

89:19:17 89:22 :40 103:59:54 104:00:08 146:28:48

interface blackout

(400,000

ft)

146:46: 146:46:38 146:51:44

13

146:46: 146:46:37 146:51:42 146:54:48

13

End blackout Drogue Main Landing parachute parachute deployment deployment

146:54:26 146:55: 146:59:49 19

146:55:39 47:00:42

TABLE ORBIT

II

SUMMARY

EARTH PARAMETER Planned Apoapsis Periapsis Period inclination (NM) (NM) (Min) (Des) 103.3 99.4 88.19

ORBIT Actual 103.3 98.0 88.19

LUNAR INSERTION Planned 170 60 128.7

ORBIT 1 Actual 168.5 59.9 128.7

LUNAR INSERTION Planned 60 60 119.0

ORBIT 2 Actual 60.7 59.7 119.0

INSERTION

32.5

32.5

12.29

12.29

12.29

12.29

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TABLE MANEUVER

III SUMMARY

TIME MANEUVER Translunar Injection Separation Separation Midcourse Correction Midcourse Correction Lunar Orbit Insertion 1 Lunar Orbit Insertion 2 ) Transearth Injection Midcourse Correction Notes: (a) (b) (c) Planned These Burn values values times are for the are changes. those planned pre-launch values are not except 3 1 2 1 2 SYSTEM HR:MIN:SEC PlannedtaJ S-IVB RCS RCS s PS/ RCS Not 02:50:37 03:40:00 Planned 11 :oo:oo 61:08:51 69:08:5 73:32: 89:16:10 104: 16: 10 1 17 Actual 02:50:37 03:40:0 04:45:0 11 :oo:oo 60:59:56 69:08:20 73:35:07 89:19:17 103:59:54 1 1

DURATION SEC Planned 316 (c) (4 2.4 12.0 240 9.5 198 14 (arActuaI 318 (4 (cl 2.4 11.8 246.9 9.6 203.7 13.7

VELOCITY Planneds 35, 548(b) 1.5 9.0 24 2.0 2,992 138.5 3,531 5.0

CHANGE FPS Actual 35,53Ztb) 1.1 7.7 24.8 1.4 2,997 134.8 3,519 4.8

RCS
SPS SPS SPS RCS

for midcourse real-time at this time.

correction updates.

durations

and velocity

These planned velocity at TLI cutoff. RCS maneuvers shown

represent known

M-932-68-08

LAUNCH Ear1.y engineering test detail and mission performed performance. of the S-IC POGO suppression to have evaluation objectives near nominal. of the were SA-503

VEHICLE Saturn V Launch Vehicle All systems and is being carried indicates subsystems out that all appear

satisfactorily met. Further evaluation

to determine

Performance that The cutoff Overall burn, be&me formance appears pressures. amplitudes Two from The S-II 443 parameters, more no POGO S-IC

system

was

nominal

and

indications

are

existed. engines were due cut off 2.4 than was 18 hertz 451 when out 9to seconds amplitude, and seconds predicted near nominal, evident elapsed drop later fuel than predicted by a fuel level

outboard

signal,

apparently system

to higher

density. but near time. in engine cutoff. in the the same the The end of S-II number number 5 5 peroscillations There also outboard engine of small time period. 30 stage

propulsion oscillations beginning

performance

of approximately at approximately at 480 they low some and been the damped pronounced

became seconds a small

in engine

occurred, to have

shortly before engine 18-hertz oscillations 1 l-hertz lateral structural directions near

Accelerometers in both stage near to 470

showed longitudinal

oscillations

temperature Max Q, and seconds

seconds

bridge power supplies another similar S-II

operated intermittently power supply operated

for about intermittently

GET. spark S-IV9 igniter restart (ASI) I ines the on both S-IV9 after dump, the fuel S-IV9 and S-II tank. second in the burn slingshot cutoff. After System trajectory and S-IV9 The engines OzH2

modified operated return

augmented properly and satisfactorily translunar

functioned burner A free spacecraft

was demonstrated

satisfactorily.

to repressurize was obtained vent, the placed

injection the propellant

separation,

Auxiliary

Propulsion

(APS) u II a g e b urn successfully to achieve solar orbit.

S-lVB/IU/LTA-B

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M-932-68-08

SPACECRAFT STRUCTURAL All over flight. analysis surface structural by about This of the AND and window degree. fogging outer MECHANICAL mechanical fogging. The The was fogging, heat-shield SYSTEMS systems performed satisfactorily, or #3) window 5) were 4) remained expected results with was similarly clear as a result of silicon from the exception of completely fogged affected, throughout of the oil on the but the Apollo inner of the 7

spacecraft to a lesser

6 hours.

The hatch (center, two side windows (1 and windows with was pane. what caused The (2 and was fogging

rendezvous consistent which

of window

by a deposit

the outgassing

RTV compound which seals been used on the compound craft. THERMAL Temperature elements transearth nominal orientation. FUEL Fuel CELLS cell CONTROL measurements performed coast range. All AND periods

insulation around the window area. in windows 1, 3, and 5 of Apollo

A curing process has 9 and subsequent space-

indicate stabilized

satisfactorily.

that both passive and active thermal control Passive thermal control during the translunar spacecraft propellant temperatures within limits limits during within by varying lunar orbit the

and expected

Tank temperatures were maintained temperatures were within predicted BATTERIES was excellent in good and no anomalies with

spacecraft operations.

performance All and parameters

were

observed

throughout

the

mission. The entry

were

agreement and pyrotechnic

pre-flight batteries entry

predictions. performed could all required

post-landing as required.

batteries throughout the

functions

satisfactorily

mission.

The

batteries

be charged

to ful I capacity CRYOGENICS The was were motor tanks cryogenic slightly cycled switch

storage less than manually noted

system predicted.

performed satisfactorily All heaters were 7. the ac bus voltage Quantity balancing

throughout the mission, and operated automatically and all problem between

usage fans

to preclude on Apollo

caused by the arcing the respective cryogenic

was satisfactory.

COMMUNICATIONS The overall performance of the spacecraft-to-network power, communication telemetry, and voice system was performance

nominal. The received corresponded to pre-flight

downlink carrier prediction.

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M-932-68-08

Communications was very sequentially between and were mission The data telemetry nautical sites dumps. Communications contact parachute interrupted operation was Instrumentation when was one good.

system switching

management, during the All both between antennas. with quality, All modes and the

including passive omni omni four four

antenna thermal

switching, control the the were

during antennas, high-gain high-gain than used

the

mission by

Communi.cations*

maintained switching antenna antenna

(omnidirectional) between and antennas equal and backup, antenna telemetry antennas

diametrically-opposite or more The was excel omni voice lent. of both received while receipt selected periodically,

omnis,

or switching

performance normal of the

to or greater received were

pre-flight the successfully. High-bit-rate

predictions.

throughout

high-gain

quality was miles

highthrough

low-bit-rate 85foot was transmitting

was good. ranges antennas. data storage

at slant on omni during

of up to 160,000 The MSFN equipment

the spacecraft of good-quality

reported

telemetry

data

were re-established Aircraft.

satisfactory The spacecraft

during

entry

until 14652

blackout. GET through

Air-to-ground the Apollo contact were the voice attitude,

voice Range during recovery

at approximately USS YORKTOWN post-landing was supported.

established communications II flotation

descent. the

Although

voice

momentarily

in a stable

satisfactorily

A total of six television cast, the telephoto lens camera were motion of poor were the and quality. and the

transmissions were made during (100mm focal length) was used higher than expected light A procedure for use of the views (9mm filters

the flight. to view the of the from the and the

For the first teleearth. Because of earth, the pictures camera a in lunar

intensity using lunar

Hasselblad were taken filters.

was developed red filter orbit using

subsequent

telecasts Excellent lens

of the earth of the focal

telephoto suitable

lens with

satisfactory. extra-wide-angle

surface

length)

INSTRUMENTATION The data throughout The higher verified The fuel cell than storage the equipment mission, and instrumentation system performance and only three measurements failed. temperature system thus indicated indicating in the went a temperature of the fuel cell a failed environmental to full-scale was satisfactory

2 radiator-outlet expected. system Proper

6 to 12 degrees and radiator was sensor. control reading. system Systems failed analysis

performance

by other

measurements,

radiator-outlet proper

temperature 120 hours radiator operation.

measurement time and

at approximately verified

elapsed

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M-932-68-08

The hours the

measurement elapsed measurement AND time.

of potable Normal

water tank

quantity pressurization

in the

ECS

failed

at approximately production data

144 indicated

and water

to be questionable. CONTROL and control system Platform measurements comparisons was performed was excellent required navigation were made close in lunar were throughout during ascent, performed techniques during agreement orbit with with the mission. earth during were and ground orbit, all

GUIDANCE Performance All and coast monitoring translunar phases

of the guidance functions injection with good and exercised. coast, Onboard and were results.

navigation normal. Onboard

comparisons midcourse indicate

alignments

thoroughly transearth tracking. results. Spacecraft

Star-horizon preliminary orbital navigation

translunar nominal

attitude

control

was

satisfactory Service results.

using propulsion Entry

both

the

digital

autopilot were was

and

the using the

stabilization and digital autopilot, Two guidance and involved abnormal times and during case, no optics

control system. with nominal control shifts correct

maneuvers and

performed

guidance

navigation

excellent.

system problems occurred during the mission. in the computer readout of the optics trunnion activity, was was the restored lost. read-out with shifted from optics reading capability SYSTEM/ module The CREW) acceptable midcourse curve SYSTEM for the reaction resulted limits. control second in lower Due corrections, remainder system CSM/S-IVB than planned the of the SM primarily parameters separation to the mission. need were a normal

The first angle. Several procedure

periods the utilization CONTROL and the

of no optics

0 to 45 degrees. zeroing

In each

REACTION All first three command item

service FLIGHT within planned

normal (see

throughout reserve, converged SERVICE but of the

mission.

unplanned

maneuver for only reserve

under still

SM RCS propellant RCS propellant

seven on the

scheduled

PROPULSION

Four maneuvers were accomplished using the Service Propulsion System (SPS) and system operation was satisfactory in all cases. All maneuvers had no-ullage starts. The longest SPS burn was the 246.9-second lunar orbit insertion maneuver and the shortest was Early oxidizer the 2.4-second first which feed line. first midcourse correction. a momentary to the resulted from drop in chamber of a small pressure helium bleed was in the oxidizer

in the

SPS maneuver, was attributed This bubble

experienced

presence

bubble of the

an inadequate

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10

M-932-68-08

system the

during

pre-flight of the burn

servicing. and for the

The

chamber

pressure

was satisfactory

throughout

remainder

three

subsequent

SPS maneuvers.

ENVIRONMENTAL Performance of the

CONTROL environmental

SYSTEM control system was satisfactory. The radiators

satisfactorily rejected the spacecraft heat loads during the translunar coasts, maintaining water/glycol .temperatures below the evaporator The was times; dryout similar orbit lunar entry; properly the The suit cabin evaporators used however, occurred load and orbit. however, throughout heat-exchanger fans, which operated The of lunar the were therefore mode did turned during not off during orbit. th[s time. Evaporator on the at the recurred operated dryout coolant cabin near the 44OF. were cabin noisy loop, temperatures The in the automatic the dryout on Apollo lunar and was evaporator reserviced evaporator secondary normal dryout

and transearth turn-on level. evaporator occurred on Apollo of the first the again near several 8 under lunar fourth for the during 61F and Evaporator

primary mission.

impose loads

any restraints
was expected reserviced dryout and

7 at low until

to occur end

conditions. evaporator orbital crew entry

Th e evaporator was again flight. activated and outlet were not the

satisfactorily

during satisfactorily

remainder

Primary maintained

occurred which

operated

gas temperatures needed time during

mission, the

when

activated for a cabin

at approximately temperature CREW All

127 hours reading.

elapsed

to circulate

atmosphere

PROVISIONS equipment operated satisfactorily during the mission. Excessive noise the on the on

crew

Lunar

Module

his harness.

Pilots electrocardiogram The astronauts boots were

was corrected when he swapped reported to be frayed but usable. CREW in accordance with

leads

FLIGHT The Apollo flight plan, 8 mission was accomplished with the following minor

essentially exceptions.

the

nominal

The S-IVB separation rate from the spacecraft and the crew spent a longer time in keeping additional Because revolution were was again returned Reaction of the were modified to the heavy sharply in preparation to allow flight nominal Control workload reduced System maneuver orbit,

was judged to be less than predicted, the S-IVB in sight and eventually used to increase the orbital crew rest. separation activities rest. after At about rescheduling which distance. after Normal the 100 hours the flight the meal eighth plan mission

an

in lunar to allow for the plan

additional crew only

activities

resumed

transearth with

injection, minor

for additional

of rest and

periods.

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M-932-68-08

Despite many Entry small

the valuable

long

duty

hours,

crew of the

performance lunar surface

was sharp and

throughout

the were

mission, made. Due crews

and

observations

its environment

and landing were performed in darkness amount of water entering the command temporarily. The resulting module to assume a stable being uprighted by the until occurred MISSION of swimmers

with no apparent problems. module at splashdown, the

to a attention

was diverted the command minutes delay recovery before ship

delay in releasing the II (apex down) flotation crew. daylight; A decision therefore, after 80 minutes had

main parachutes caused attitude for about 4.5 been made to transfer to the prime

previously crew landing.

the deployment

by helicopter

about SUPPORT

PERFORMANCE

FLIGHT Flight

CONTROL control support was excellent during the Apollo 8 mission.

NETWORK Network command, satisfactorily RECOVERY Recovery Ocean of the by the Apollo 8 spacecraft recovery listed ship, and the crew was successfully The table: completed major in the recovery Pacific events performance telemetry, with was excellent and the real-time no significant for this loss of data mission. at any All time. communications, supported the tracking, mission

computation

functions

prime

USS YORKTOWN. following EVENT

on 27 December EST, (27 HR:MIN: December) 10:41 10:43 10:49 lo:52 11~48 12:20 13:18

1968 are

in the

First Radar First

visual contact sighting

sighting

of spacecraft

by Rescue

by USS YORKTOWN of CM flashing light by YORKTOWN

Landing Flotation Astronauts CM onboard collar installed recovery ship and inflated ship

onboard recovery

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12

M-932-68-08

Both S-band contact with indicating The uprighting Although

and VHF contacts the flashing light that the Command bags were until data helicopter inflated,

established with the recovery and voice contact with the flight Module was went with one directly before recovery into bag over a stable reported the II position

were

forces. Visual crew ceased at landing, before partially as early uprighting. inflated. EST, planned. as 11:08

to be only swimmers, are listed 0808N, 0809.3N,

a recovery to wait location

spacecraft

it was decided The pertinent Predicted Ship

daylight for the

deploying operation

as previously below: 16502W 165OO2.1N

target

coordinates

position

at landing* to spacecraft at landing

Estimated Splashdown

range

5200

yards 16501.2W

coordinates aboard the recovery ship

0807.5N,

* As determined

LAUNCH Quick-look satisfactorily Damage launches. Apollo assessment with to GSE 9 mission. only and pad indicates minor that anomalies was not the

COMPLEX launch occurring. complex and supporting GSE performed

facilities will

minimal

and and

considered Pad A will

less than be ready

for previous to support the

Refurbishment

be extensive

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