notes.husk.org

scienceblogs via chrisoshea via iamdanw: I LOVE this analogue...

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:58:17 +0100

scienceblogs via chrisoshea via iamdanw:

I LOVE this analogue moon landing simulator!

“This simulator was designed to provide a pilot with a detailed visual encounter with the lunar surface; the machine consisted primarily of a cockpit, a closed-circuit TV system, and four large murals or scale models representing portions of the lunar surface as seen from various altitudes. The pilot in the cockpit moved along a track past these murals which would accustom him to the visual cues for controlling a spacecraft in the vicinity of the moon. Unfortunately, such a simulation — although great fun and quite aesthetic — was not helpful because flight in lunar orbit posed no special problems other than the rendezvous with the LEM, which the device did not simulate. Not long after the end of Apollo, the expensive machine was dismantled.”

Apollo X branded “Snoopy” astronaut dolls, 1969...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:27:51 +0000

Apollo X branded “Snoopy” astronaut dolls, 1969 (via thingsmagazine)

spacewatching: Miss NASA in Apollo 8 More spottings, again...

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:45:22 +0100

spacewatching:

Miss NASA in Apollo 8

More spottings, again from 1968. Hmm.

cosascool: A pre-flight CT scan of a NASA A7L spacesuit, the...

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:22:18 +0100

cosascool:

A pre-flight CT scan of a NASA A7L spacesuit, the type of suit worn during the Apollo missions.

Previously; previously.

sciencecenter: Scientists study the phases of the moon on lunar...

Sun, 27 May 2012 04:11:00 +0100

sciencecenter:

Scientists study the phases of the moon on lunar models in preparation for an eventual manned flight to moon.

Love those circles-on-globes. Photographer: Fritz Goro.

The Lunar Ranging Retroreflector, as placed on the Moon by...

Fri, 11 May 2012 04:18:47 +0100

The Lunar Ranging Retroreflector, as placed on the Moon by Apollo 15:

The Laser Ranging Retroreflector experiment has produced many important measurements. These include an improved knowledge of the Moon’s orbit and the rate at which the Moon is receding from Earth (currently 3.8 centimeters per year) and of variations in the rotation of the Moon. These variations in rotation are related to the distribution of mass inside the Moon and imply the existence of a small core, with a radius of less than 350 kilometers.

mathiascrawford: Charting American vs. Russian Space Projects...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:55:25 +0100

mathiascrawford:

Charting American vs. Russian Space Projects in 1961

This must be from very early in 1961, since it predates Gagarin’s orbit and Shepard’s suborbital hop. It’s interesting to compare to how the timelines actually shook out, too (someone with better graphic design skills can make that one happen, though).

I assume it’s from either Time or Life; probably Life, but I’m not quite expert enough in their house styles to tell.

Astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., Apollo 12 commander, using a 70mm...

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:02:08 +0100

Astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., Apollo 12 commander, using a 70mm handheld Haselblad camera by NASA Goddard Photo and Video on Flickr.

I’ve always loved the aesthetic effect of the grid-marks on the photographs that were taken by the Apollo mission Hasselblads.

Final fitting of the A7L spacesuit for one of the Apollo 17...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:57:06 +0100

Final fitting of the A7L spacesuit for one of the Apollo 17 astronauts (possibly Harrison Schmitt), from the Project Apollo Gallery (image ap17-72-H-314).

This one’s as much for the cheeky chaps in the background as for the spacesuit itself. It’s worth looking at some of the other photos on that site, too, such as this image of the suit in launch position.

It’s been two weeks since I posted Mark and Roland...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:17:00 +0100

It’s been two weeks since I posted Mark and Roland Cunningham’s X-ray photograph of Alan B Shepard’s Apollo 14 spacesuit, which is now at well over 8,500 notes (thanks to being featured on Tumblr’s Radar).

I wasn’t the first (and I’m sure I won’t be the last) to post this image. For example, it was featured in an article on the Smithsonian’s spacesuit collection in the New York Times, along with annotations. Nonetheless, thanks to all of you who liked or reblogged the image, and those of you who’ve tagged along as followers since. (captioned image via)