Science Channel - Moon Machines

[Keatah]

The problem with the new semiconductor memory of the era was reliability. The gap in the PN junction was prone to flipping via radiation. And not enough was known about the phenomenon at the time.

Note that back then, time was the biggest problem. They needed time to test things and re-design things when something didn't work. Money was not too much of an issue. If they needed more, they just asked.

So often-times a solution that was used did not have time to go through 20 iterations of development and test before the end product was finalized.

Sure, they could have packed the LRV in a 4x4x4 box, and made it 14 pounds lighter. But that would have required 21 months!! They had 17..

 

[Turbinator]

Thanks for posting about the show, I'm downloading it right now and the episodes so far are amazing.

 

[littleplatonian]

Awesome space documentary

Found a multi-episode documentary called "Moon Machines" on the 'Science' channel that covers almost every aspect of the testing and development of the Apollo program. The most informative I've ever seen.

 

[cljohnston]

Found a multi-episode documentary called "Moon Machines" on the 'Science' channel that covers almost every aspect of the testing and development of the Apollo program. The most informative I've ever seen.

Just noticed that TheVietnamChannel posted these to YouTube a few months after I posted this topic...

 

[littleplatonian]

I was amazed to learn that Von Braun was opposed to using a lunar lander/command module configuration to getting on the moon. Instead he wanted to land one BIG SHIP and then get it back into lunar orbit for the return trip. The problems between the two contractors that developed the space suit was crazy. Thanks for posting these links. I didn't know they were on youtube. I'm going to watch them again.