Thanks, Paul and Chris. It is the first production Apollo capsule. I
don't believe it ever flew. It should be described at this link, which
is unfortunately down as I type this.
<http://www.museumofflight.org/spacecraft/north-american-aviation-one-apollo-command-module-007A>
Evidently it was used for splashdown testing (as in, "Does the darn
thing float? And for how long?"):
<http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/vintage-space/when-astronauts-set-sail-aboard-apollo-command-module-007>
You can take a virtual tour inside:
<http://www.airspacemag.com/panorama/apollo-command-module-007a-180947951/?no-ist>
Not sure I'd fit in the capsule, I'm 6'3" / 1.90m. If I were more than
an inch taller, they wouldn't have let me in the shuttle trainer(!) As
Chris mentioned, the Lunar Excursion Module provides additional space.
The LEM saved the crew of Apollo 13, providing power and life support
when the service module was crippled, leading to the shutdown of most of
the command module systems. The LEM kept them alive during the journey
to the moon, around it, and back.
--Peter
>> Apollo command module:
>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/13886176374/>
>>
>>
>>
>That's too clean - was that a spare, or is it an actual mission capsule?
>Every time I see one of those, and look inside, I get claustrophobic
>thinking about the fact that three guys spent 4-1/2 days wedged in that
>little cone just to get to the Moon, and then the same on the way back.
>
You could also move around in the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module)
which is
docked to the point of the cone, which gave you the opportunity to
stretch out.
After the craft was boosted out of earth orbit, the command and
service module
would detach, turn around, and then attach to the LEM. The service
module had
fuel and oxygen stores, as well as the fuel and booster for entering
(braking)
and later exiting lunar orbit.
Chris
--
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