REACTION CONTROL
(P-198) Location of reaction control subsystem engines.
The reaction control subsystem provides the thrust for normal and emergency
attitude maneuvers of the Apollo spacecraft. Operation of the subsystem is in
response to automatic control signals from the stabilization and control
subsystem in conjunction with the guidance and navigation subsystem. It can be
controlled manually by the crew. The reaction control subsystem consists of CM
and SM reaction control systems.
SM REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The SM reaction control system consists of four similar, independent systems
(quads) located 90 degrees apart around the service module. It provides thrust
required for three-axis stabilization and control of the spacecraft during earth
orbit, translunar trajectory abort, transposition and docking, and translunar,
lunar orbital, and transearth flight. It also may be used for minor course
corrections both on the translunar and transearth flights.
The system provides the small velocity changes required for service propulsion
subsystem propellant settling maneuvers (ullage). Only roll axis control is
provided during service propulsion engine thrusting. In addition, it provides
velocity changes for spacecraft separation from the third stage during high
altitude or translunar injection abort, for separation from the boost vehicle
after injection of the spacecraft into translunar trajectory, LM rendezvous in
lunar orbit, and for CM-SM separation.
The four quads can be operated simultaneously or in pairs during spacecraft
maneuvers. Each quad is mounted on a honeycomb structural panel about 3 feet
long and 3 feet wide. It becomes part of the integrated service module structure
when hinged and bolted in place. Center lines of engine mounts are offset about
7 degrees from the Y and Z axes. The cluster of four engines for each quad is
rigidly mounted in a housing on the outside of the honeycomb panel. Laterally
mounted (roll) engines are used for rotating the vehicle about the X axis.
Longitudinally mounted engines are used for rotating the vehicle about the Y and
Z axes and translational maneuvers along the X axis. Roll engines are offset to
minimize engine housing frontal area to reduce boost heating effects. All
engines in each cluster are canted to degrees outward to reduce the effects of
exhaust plume impingement on the service module structure.
Each engine provides approximately 100 pounds of thrust and uses hypergolic
propellant. The fuel is monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) and the oxidizer is nitrogen
tetroxide (N2O4). The engines are produced by The Marquardt Corp., Van Nuys,
Calif.
(P-199) SM reaction control subsystem quads.
The reaction control engines may be pulse-fired (in bursts) to produce
short-thrust impulses or fired continuously to produce a steady thrust. The
short- pulse firing is used for attitude-hold and navigation alignment maneuvers.
Attitude control can be maintained with two adjacent quads operating.
Each quad contains a pressure-fed, positive expulsion propellant feed system.
The propellant tanks (two fuel and two oxidizer) are located on the inside of
the structural panel; feed lines are routed through the panel to the engines.
The propellant tanks are produced by Bell Aerosystems Co., Buffalo, NY., a
division of Textron, Inc.
Helium is used to pressurize the propellant tanks; a single helium tank is
located on the inside of the panel. Helium entering the propellant tanks around
the positive- expulsion bladders forces the propellant in the tanks into the
feed lines. Oxidizer and fuel are thus delivered to the engines. The fuel valve
on each engine opens approximately 1/500th of a second before the oxidizer valve
to provide proper ignition characteristics. Each valve contains orifices which
meter the propellant flow to obtain the proper (2 to 1) mixture ratio. The
propellants are hyperbolic; that is, they ignite when they come in contact in
the engine combustion chamber without an ignition system.
CM REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The CM reaction control system is used after CM-SM separation and for certain
abort modes. It provides three- axis rotational and attitude control to orient
and maintain the CM in the proper entry attitude before encountering aerodynamic
forces. During entry, it provides the torque (turning or twisting force)
required to control roll attitude.
The system consists of two independent, redundant systems, each containing six
engines, helium and propellant tanks, and a dump and purge system. The two
systems can operate in tandem; however, one can provide all the impulse needed
for the entry maneuvers and normally only one is used.
The 12 engines of the system (produced by North American Rockwell's Rocketdyne
Division, Canoga Park, Calif.) are located outside the crew compartment of the
command module, 10 in the aft compartment and 2 in the forward compartment. The
nozzle of each engine is ported through the heat shield of the CM and matches
the mold line. Each engine produces approximately 93 pounds of thrust.
Operation of the CM reaction control engines is similar to the SM. Propellant is
the same (monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide) and helium is used for
pressurization. Each of the redundant CM systems contains one fuel and one
oxidizer tank similar to the fuel and oxidizer tanks of the SM system. Each CM
system has one helium tank.
The helium is isolated from the system by squib valves before entry; these are
valves which contain small explosive charges (squids). These valves are
activated before CM-SM separation.
High-pressure helium flows through regulators (to reduce the pressure) and check
valves to the propellant tanks, where it maintains pressure around the
positive-expulsion bladders in each tank. The propellants are forced into the
feed lines. through a burst diaphragm, and to the engines. The diaphragm must
rupture for propellant to reach the engines; it is additional assurance that the
engines cannot be fired inadvertently.
Oxidizer and fuel is fed to the 12 engines by a parallel feed system. The
injector valve on each engine contains orifices which meter the fuel and
oxidizer so that a flow ratio of 2 oxidizer to 1 fuel is obtained.
The engines may need heating before use so that the oxidizer doesn't freeze when
it comes in contact with the injector valve. Astronauts monitor the temperature
of the engines on a cabin display and turn on the engine injector valve direct
coils which act as heaters if necessary.
(P-200) Location of CM reaction control subsystem components.
Because the presence of hypergolic propellant can be hazardous at CM splashdown,
the propellant remaining in the fuel and oxidizer tanks is disposed of by
burning during the final descent on the main parachute. After all propellant is
disposed of the feed lines are purged with helium. The burn and purge operations
are controlled manually by the crew except during an abort in the early part of
boost (up to 42 seconds after liftoff), when dumping and purging is automatic.
EQUIPMENT
SERVICE MODULE
Helium Tanks (Airite Div., Sargent Industries, El Segundo, Calif.) The four
spherical tanks are made of titanium and weigh 11.5 pounds each. Each has an
internal volume of 910 cubic inches. The helium is pressurized to 4150 psig. The
outside diameter is 12.37 inches, a wall thickness of 0.135 inch, and a capacity
of 11.35 pounds. The tanks store helium used to pressurize the propellant tanks.
Primary Fuel Tanks (Bell Aerosystems Co., Buffalo, N.Y. There are four
cylindrical titanium tanks with domed ends, one tank for each quad of engines.
The tanks have Teflon bladders. Each tank is 23.717 inches long with an outside
diameter of 12.62 inches. Wall thickness is 0.017 to 0.022 inch. Combined
propellant ullage volume is 69.1 pounds, resulting in tank pressure no greater
than 215 psia at 85 degrees. The tanks store fuel (monomethyl hydrazine) and
supply it on demand to the engines.
Primary Oxidizer Tanks (Bell) - There are four cylindrical titanium tanks with
domed ends, one tank for each quad of engines. The tanks have Teflon bladders.
Each tank is 28.558 inches long with an outside diameter of 12.62 inches. Wall
thickness is 0.017 to 0.022 inch. Combined propellant and ullage volume is 137
pounds resuIting in tank pressure no greater than 215 psia at 85 degrees. The
tanks store oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide) and supply it on demand to the
engines.
Secondary Fuel Tanks (Bell) There are four cylindrical titanium tanks with domed
ends, one tank for each quad of engines. The tanks have Teflon bladders. Each
tank is 1,7.329 inches long with an outside diameter of 12.65 inches. Wall
thickness is 0.022 to 0.027 inch. Combined propellant and ullage volume is 45.2
pounds, resulting in tank pressure no greater than 205 psia at 105 degrees. The
tanks store fuel and supply it upon demand to the engines.
Secondary Oxidizer Tanks (Bell) There are four cylindrical titanium tanks with
domed ends, one for each quad of engines. The tanks have Teflon bladders. Each
tank is 19.907 inches long and has an outside diameter of 12.65 inches. Wall
thickness is 0.022 to 0.027 inch. Combined propellant and ullage volume is 89.2
pounds, resulting in tank Pressure no greater than 205 psia at 105 degrees. The
tanks store oxidizer and supply it on demand to the engines.
Engines (Marquardt) --- There are 16 radiation cooled engines grouped in
clusters of four 90 degrees apart on the outside of the service module. They are
the only nonablative engines on the command and service module. The thrust
chambers are pure molybdenum, and nozzle extensions are a cobalt-base alloy.
Each engine is 13.400 inches long and weighs 5 pounds. Nozzle exit diameter is
5.6 inches. Each engine has a nominal thrust of 100 pounds. Service life of each
engine is 1000 seconds: any combination of Pulsed (intermittent) and continuous
operation up To a maximum of 500 seconds of steady-state firing. Minimum firing
time is 12 milliseconds. Each engine is capable of 10,000 operation cycles. The
engines are used for translation and rotational manuevers and for obtaining star
sightings.
COMMAND MODULE
HeIium Tanks (Menasco Manufacturing Co., .Burbank, Calif.) The four spherical
tanks are made of titanium. Each has a volume of 365 cubic inches. The helium is
pressurized to 4150 psig. Outside diameter of each is 9.2 inches, and wall
thickness is 0.102 inch. Capacity of each is 0.57 pound. The tanks store helium
to pressurize the propellant tanks.
Fuel Tanks (Bell) There are two titanium tanks identical to the secondary fuel
tanks on the service module system.
Oxidizer Tanks (Bell)-- There are two titanium tanks identical to the secondary
oxidizer tanks on the service module system.
Engines (Rocketdyne) There are 12 engines 10 in the aft equipment compartment
and two in the apex cover area. They are ablative engines and are installed with
scarfed (smoothed into the surface) ablative nozzle extensions Each engine is
12.65 inches long and weighs 8.3 pounds. Nozzle exit diameter is 2.13 inches.
Thrust is 93 pounds. Service life for each engine is 200 seconds. Its minimum
firing time is approximately 12 milliseconds. Each engine is capable of 3000
operational cycles. The primary use of the engines is for rotation maneuvers,
rate damping, and attitude control during entry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
SM REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The SM system is composed of four separate, individual quads, each containing
pressurization, propellant, rocket engine, and temperature control systems.
(P-210) Typical SM quad.
The pressurization system regulates and distributes helium to the propellant
tanks. It consists of a helium storage tank, isolation valves, pressure
regulators, check valves, relief valves, and lines necessary for filling,
draining, and distribution of the helium.
The helium supply is contained in a spherical storage tank, which holds 1.35
pounds of helium at a pressure of about 4150 psia. Isolation valves between the
helium tank and pressure regulators contain two solenoids: one is energized
momentarily to latch the valve open magnetically; the other is energized
momentarily to unlatch the valve, and spring pressure and helium pressure forces
the valve closed. The isolation valves in each quad are individually controlled
by switches on the main display console. The valves are normally open to
pressurize the system. They are held open by a magnetic latch rather than by the
application of pointer which conserves power and prevents overheating of the
valve coil. Indicators above each valve switch show gray when the valve is open
(the normal position) and diagonal lines when the valve is closed. The valve is
closed in the event of a prefigure regulator unit problem and during ground
servicing.
Helium pressure is regulated by two assemblies connected in parallel, with one
assembly downstream of each isolation valve. Each assembly incorporates two
(primary and secondary) regulators connected in series. The secondary regulator
remains open if the primary regulator functions properly. If the primary
regulator fails open, the secondary regulator will maintain slightly higher but
acceptable pressures.
Two check valve assemblies, one for oxidizer and one for fuel, permit helium
flow to the tanks and prevent propellant or propellant vapor flow into the
pressurization system if seepage or failure occurs in the propellant tank
bladders. Filters are incorporated in the inlet to each check valve assembly and
each test port.
The helium relief valve contains a diaphragm, filter, a bleed device, and the
relief valve. The diaphragm is installed to provide a more positive seal against
helium than that of the actual relief valve. The diaphragm ruptures at 228 psia.
The filter retains any fragments from the diaphragm and prevents particles from
flowing onto the relief valve seat The relief valve will open at 236 psia and
dump excessive pressure overboard. The relief valve will reseat at 220 psia.
A pressure bleed device vents the cavity between the diaphragm and relief valve
in the event of any leakage across the diaphragm, or upon completion of checkout
of the relief valve. The bleed device is normally open and will be fully closed
when the pressure increases to 150 psia; it will be fully opened when the
pressure decreases to 20 psia.
The propellant system consists of two oxidizer tanks, two fuel tanks, two
oxidizer and two fuel isolation valves, a fuel and oxidizer inline filter and
associated distribution plumbing.
The oxidizer supply is contained in two titanium alloy, hemispherically domed
cylindrical tanks The tanks are mounted to the SM structural panel. The primary
tank is about 28-1/2 inches long, 12-1/2inches in diameter, and holds 137 pounds
of oxidizer. The secondary tank is about 20 inches long, 12-1/2inches in
diameter, and holds 89 pounds of oxidizer.
(P-202) Location of SM quads.
Each tank contains a diffuser tube assembly and a Teflon bladder for positive
expulsion of the oxidizer. The bladder is attached to the diffuser tube at each
end of each tank. The diffuser tube acts as the propellant outlet.
When the tanks are pressurized, the helium surrounds the entire bladder,
exerting a force which causes the bladder to collapse about the propellant,
forcing the oxidizer into the diffuser tube assembly and out of the tank outlet
into the manifold, providing expulsion during zero gravity.
The fuel supply is contained in two tanks that are similar in material,
construction, operation, and diameter to oxidizer tanks. The primary tank is
about 23-1/2 inches long and holds 69 pounds of fuel; the secondary tank is
about 17 inches long and holds 45 pounds of fuel.
Isolation valves in the fuel and oxidizer tank lines in each quad are controlled
by switches on the main display console. Each isolation valve contains solenoids
and indicators that operate in the same manner as the helium isolation valves.
The primary tank valves are normally open and the secondary valves closed. When
a propellant quantity indicator displays 43 percent propellant remaining, the
secondary valves are opened and the primary valves are closed. The valves may be
closed to prevent fluid flow in the event of a failure such as line rupture or a
runaway thruster.
(P-203) Quad panels installed on Service module in Downey clean room.
Propellant distribution plumbing is identical in each quad. Each quad contains
separate similar oxidizer and fuel plumbing networks. Propellant in each network
is directed from the supply tanks through manifolds for distribution to the four
engines in the cluster.
Filters are installed in the fuel and oxidizer lines between the propellant
isolation valves and the engine manifold to prevent any particles from flowing
into the engine injector valves and engine injector.
The SM reaction control engines are radiation cooled, pressure fed, bipropellant
thrust generators which can be operated in either the pulse or steadystate mode.
Each engine consists of a fuel and oxidizer injector control valve which
controls the flow of propellant by responding to automatic or manual electrical
commands and an injector head assembly which directs the flow of the propellant
from each control valve to the combustion chamber. A filter is at the inlet of
each fuel and oxidizer solenoid injector valve. An orifice in the inlet of each
fuel and oxidizer solenoid injector valve meters the propellant flow to obtain a
nominal 2:1 oxidizer-fuel ratio.
The propellant solenoid injector valves use two coaxially wound coils, one for
automatic and one for direct manual operation. The automatic coil is used when
the thrust command originates from the controller reaction jet assembly, which
is the electronic circuitry that selects the required automatic coils to be
energized for a given maneuver. The direct manual coils are used when the thrust
command originates at the rotation control, direct ullage pushbutton, service
propulsion subsystem abort, or the SM jettison controller.
(P-204) SM reaction control engine housing.
(P-205) SM reaction control engine.
The main chamber portion of the injector will allow 8 fuel streams to impinge
upon 8 oxidizer streams for main chamber ignition. There are 8 fuel holes around
the outer periphery of the injector which provide film cooling to the combustion
chamber walls.
The injector contains a precombustion chamber in which a single fuel and a
single oxidizer stream impinge upon each other. The precombustion chamber
provides a smoother start transient. There are 8 fuel holes around the outside
of the precombustion chamber providing cooling to its walls.
The combustion chamber is constructed of unalloyed molybdenum which is coated
with molybdenum disilicide to prevent oxidation of the base metal. Cooling of
the chamber is by radiation and fuel film cooling.
The nozzle extension with integral stiffener rings is machined from a cobalt
base alloy.
Each of the engine mounts contain two electrical strip heaters. Each heater
contains two electrical elements. One element in each heater is controlled by a
secondary temperature thermoswitch that is set to open at 118 degrees F and
close at 70 degrees F. When a switch on the main display console for that quad
is set for the secondary system, do power is supplied to the thermoswitch in
each heater of that quad and will automatically open and close according to the
temperature.
When the switch is set for the primary heater, power is supplied to the
redundant element in each heater for that quad. This thermoswitch is a higher
temperature switch and will automatically open at 134 degrees F and close at 115
degrees F. The heaters provide propellant temperature control by conductance to
the engine housing and engine injector valves.
A gauge on the main display console is used to monitor the package temperature
of any one of the four SM quads.
The helium tank supply pressure and temperature for each quad is monitored by a
pressure/ temperature ratio transducer. This provides a signal to a switch on
the main display console. When the switch is positioned to a given LM quad, the
pressure/temperature ratio signal is, transmitted to a propellant quantity
gauge, and the propellant quantity remaining for that quad is indicated in
percent.
The helium tank temperature for each quad is monitored by a helium tank
temperature transducer. A switch allows the crew to monitor either the helium
tank temperature/pressure ratio as a percentage of quantity remaining, or helium
tank temperature which can be compared against the helium supply pressure
readout. Helium tank temperture is not displayed in the first Block II
spacecraft, although it is telemetered to the ground.
In the SM reaction control system, the main buses cannot supply electrical power
to one leg of the channel enable switches and controller reaction jet assembly
until the contacts of the subsystem latching relay are closed. These are closed
after separation of e spacecraft from the third stage, or to prepare for a
service propulsion subsystem abort.
CM REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The CM reaction control system is composed of two separate, normally independent
systems, called System 1 and System 2. They are identical in operation, each
containing pressurization, propellant, rocket engine and temperature control
systems.
The pressurization system consists of a helium supply tank, two dual pressure
regulator assemblies, two check valve assemblies, two pressure relief valve
asemblies, and associated distribution plumbing.
The total high-pressure helium for each system is contained in a spherical
storage tank about 9 inches in diameter and containing 0.57 pound of helium at a
pressure of 4150 psia.
Two squib-operated helium isolation valves are installed in the plumbing from
each helium tank to confine the helium into as small an area as possible to
reduce helium leakage until the system is used. Two squid valves are employed in
each system to assure pressurization.
The pressure regulators used in the CM systems are similar in type, operation,
and function to those used in the SM system. The difference is that the
regulators in the CM system are set at a higher pressure than those of the SM
system: 291 psia against 181 psia for the primary regulators and 291 against 187
for the secondary regulators.
(P-206) SM quad prepared for installation.
The check valve assemblies used in CM system are identical in type, operation,
and function to those used in the SM system. The helium relief valves also are
similar to those in the SM system except that the rupture pressure of the
diaphragm in the CM system is higher (340 psia instead of 228) and the relief
valve relieves at a higher pressure (346 psia instead of 236 psia).
Each propellant system consists of one oxidizer tank, one fuel tank, oxidizer
and fuel isolation valves, oxidizer and fuel diaphragm isolation valves, and
associated distribution plumbing.
The oxidizer supply is contained in a single titanium alloy, hemispherical-domed
cylindrical tank in each subsystem. These tanks are identical to the secondary
oxidizer tanks in the SM system.
Each tank contains a diffuser tube assembly and a Teflon bladder for positive
expulsion of the oxidizer similar to that of the SM secondary tank assemblies.
The bladder is attached to the diffuser tube at each end of the tank. The
diffuser tube acts as the propellant outlet.
Then the tank is pressurized, the helium gas surrounds the entire bladder,
exerting a force which causes the bladder to collapse about the propellant,
forcing the oxidizer into the diffuser tube assembly and out of the tank outlet
into the manifold.
The fuel supply is contained in a single titanium alloy, hemispherical-domed
cylindrical tank in each subsystem that is identical to the SM secondary fuel
tanks.
The diaphragms are installed in the lines from each tank to confine the
propellants to as small an area as possible throughout the mission.
When the helium isolation squib valves are opened, regulated helium pressure
pressurizes the propellant tanks creating the positive expulsion of propellants
into the respective manifolds to the diaphragms, which rupture and allow the
propellants to flow on through the propellant isolation valves to the injector
valves on each engine. A filter will prevent any diaphragm fragments from
entering the engine injector valves.
(P-207) Typical CM squib valves.
When the diaphragms are ruptured, the propellant flows to the propellant
isolation valves. These are controlled by a single switch on the main display
console. Each propellant isolation valve contains two solenoids, one that is
energized momentarily to latch the valve open magnetically, and one that is
energized momentarily to unlatch the magnetic latch. Spring force and propellant
pressure close the valve.
An indicator on the main display console shows gray indicating that the valves
are open (the normal position) and diagonal lines when either valve is closed.
The valves are closed in the event of a line rupture or runaway thruster.
The distribution lines contain 16 explosive-operated (squib) valves which permit
the helium and propellant distribution configuration to be changed for various
functions. Each squib valve is actuated by an explosive charge and detonated by
an igniter. After ignition of the explosive device, the valve remains open
permanently. Two squib valves are used in each subsystem to isolate the
high-pressure helium supply. Two squib valves are used to interconnect System 1
and 2 regulated helium supply which assess pressurization of both systems during
dump-burn and helium purge operation. Two squib valves in each subsystem permit
helium gas to bypass the propellant tanks and allow helium purging of the
propellant subsystem. One squib valve in the oxidizer system permits both
oxidizer systems to become common. One squib valve in the fuel system permits
both fuel systems to become common. Two squib valves in the oxidizer system and
two in the fuel system are used to dump the respective propellant in the event
of an abort from the pad up to 42 seconds after lift-off.
(P-208) CM reaction control engine.
The CM reaction control subsystem engines are ablative- cooled, bipropellant
thrust generators that can be operated in either pulse or steady-state mode.
Each engine consists of fuel and oxidizer injector valves which control the flow
of propellants, an injector and a combustion chamber in which the propellants
are burned to produce thrust.
The injector valves use two coaxially wound coils, one for automatic and one for
direct manual control. The automatic coil is used when the thrust command
originates in guidance and control electronics. The direct manual coil is used
when the thrust command originates at the astronaut hand rotation control. The
engine injector valves are spring-loaded closed and energized open.
The automatic coils in the fuel and oxidizer injector valves are connected in
parallel from guidance and control electronics. The direct manual coils in the
fuel and oxidizer injector valves provide a direct backup to the automatic
system. They are connected in parallel.
The injector contains 16 fuel and 16 oxidizer passages that impinge on a splash
plate within the combustion chamber. This pattern is referred to as an unlike
impingement splash-plate injector.
The thrust chamber assembly consists of the combustion chamber ablative sleeve,
throat insert, ablative body, asbestos, and a fiberglass wrap. The engine is
ablative-cooled.
The CM reaction control engines are mounted within the structure of the CM. The
nozzle extensions extend through the CM heat shield and are made of ablative
material. They match the mold line of the CM.
Temperature of the CM engines before activation is controlled by energizing
injector valve direct coils on each engine. Temperature sensors are mounted on 6
of the 12 engine injectors. The temperature transducers have a range from -50
degees to +50 degrees F. The temperature transducers from the System 1 and 2
engine injectors provide inputs to two rotary switches located in the lower
equipment bay of the CM. The specific engine injector temperature is monitored
as do voltage on the voltmeter in the bay. If any one of the engines registers
less than 48 degrees F, the direct manual heating coils of all 12 engines are
switched on. If 48 degrees F (approximately 5 volts on the dc voltmeter) is
reached from the coldest instrumented engine before 20 minutes, the valves are
turned off. If 20 minutes pass before +48 degrees F is reached, the valves are
turned off then. The heaters prevent the oxidizer from freezing at the engine
injector valves and the 20-minute time limit assures that the warmest engines
will not be overheated.
All automatic thrust commands for CM attitude are generated from the controller
reaction jet assembly. These commands may originate at the rotation controls,
the stabilization and control subsystem, or the CM computer. If the controller
reaction jet assembly is unable to provide commands to the automatic coil of the
CM engines, switches on the main display console will provide power to the
rotation controls for direct coiI control. The CM-SM separation switches
automatically energize relays in the reaction control system control box that
transfer the controller reaction jet assembly and direct manual inputs from the
SM engines to the CM engines. These functions also occur automatically on any
launch escape subsystem abort.
The transfer motors in the control box are redundant to assure that: the direct
manual inputs are transferred from the SM engines to the CM engines, in addition
to providing a positive deadface.
The RCS transfer motors may also be activated by a transfer switch placed to
"CM" position; this is a manual backup to the automatic transfer.
CM Systems 1 and 2 also may be checked out before CM-SM separation by use of the
transfer switch.
There are two sequences of propellent jettison. One sequence is used in the
event of an abort while the vehicle is on the launch pad and through the first
42 seconds of flight. The second is used for all other conditions.
The sequence of events before and during a normal entry is as follows:
1. The CM system is pressurized by manual switching which fires the helium
isolation squib valves in both System I and 2.
2. The CM reaction control engines provide attitude control during entry; and at
approximately 24,000 feet, a barometric switch is activated unlatching the
subsystem latching relay, inhibiting any further commands from the controller
reaction jet assembly.
3. When the main parachute is fully deployed, a crewman will turn on the CM
reaction control propellant dump switch, simultaneously initiating the two
helium interconnect squid valves, the fuel interconnect: squid valve, and the
oxidizer interconnect squid valve, and energizing the fuel and oxidizer injector
valve direct manual coils on 10 of the 12 CM engines. (The two forward or pitch
engines are not energized because their plume might impinge on the parachutes.)
The remaining propellant is burned through the 10 engines. The length of burn
time will vary depending on the amount of propellant remaining. If an entire
propellant load remained, a nominal burn time wouId be 88 seconds through 10
engines. In the worst case (only 5 of the 12 engines burning), a nominal burn
time would be 155 seconds.
4. Upon completion of propellant burn, the CM propellant purge switch is turned
on initiating the four helium bypass squib valves to allow the regulated helium
pressure to bypass around each fuel and oxidizer tank bladder and purge the
lines and manifolds out through the 10 engines. Purging requires approximately
15 seconds (until helium is depleted).
5. In case of a switch failure, the remaining propellants may be burned by
manipulating the two rotation controllers so that 10 of the 12 CM engines will
fire.
6. If the purge switch fails, the CM "helium dump,' pushbutton would be pressed
to initiate the four helium bypass squib valves, purge the lines and manifolds
out through 10 of the 12 engines, and deplete the helium source pressure.
7. After purging, the direct coils of the CM engine injector valves are switched
off manually. The sequence of events during an abort from the pad up to 42
seconds after liftoff is controlled automatically by the master event sequence
controller by manually rotating the translation control counterclockwise.
The
following events occur simultaneously:
1. The CM-SM transfer motor-driven switches are automatically driven upon receipt
of the abort signal, transferring the logic circuitry from SM reaction control
engines to CM engines.
2. When the abort signal is received, the two squib- operated helium isolation
valves in each system are initiated, pressurizing Systems 1 and 2.
3. The squib-operated helium interconnect valve for the oxidizer and fuel tanks
are opened even if only one of the two squib helium isolation valves opens. Both
subsystems are pressurized as a result of the helium interconnect squib valve.
4. The solenoid-operated fuel and oxidizer isolation shutoff valves are closed
to prevent fuel and oxidizer from flowing to the thrust chamber assemblies.
5. The squib-operated fuel and oxidizer interconnect valves are opened. Even if
only one of the two oxidizer or fuel overboard dump squib valves opens, the
oxidizer and fuel manifolds of each system are common as a result of the
oxidizer and fuel interconnect squib valves.
6. The squib-operated oxidizer overboard dump valves are opened and route the
oxidizer to blowout plug in the aft heat shield of the CM. The oxidizer shears a
pin due to the pressure buildup and blows the plug out, dumping the oxidizer
overboard. The entire oxidizer supply is dumped in approximately 13 seconds.
7. Five seconds after abort initiation, the squib operated fuel overboard dump
valves are initiated open and route the fuel to a fuel blow out plug in the aft
heat shield of the CM. The fuel shears a pin due to the pressure buildup and
blows the plug out, dumping the fuel overboard. The entire fuel supply is dumped
in approximately 13 seconds.
8. Thirteen seconds after the fuel dump sequence was started, the fuel and
oxidizer bypass squib valves in Systems 1 and 2 are opened to purge the fuel and
oxidizer systems through the fuel and oxidizer overboard dumps.
(P-209) Schematic of reaction control engines.