Posted: 6/19/2008 8:25:57 PM EDT
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I am a fan of the old Apollo space program, and was reading about the mission profile for the Moon missions from 1969 to 1972. The Saturn V's went through a primary and secondary boost phase to lift the Command Module/LEM package into orbit, with the expended stages being jettisoned after flameout. After that, the Command Module/LEM package did a few laps in Earth orbit to make sure everything was calibrated properly, and when everything was ready, the astros fired the Command Module's prime mover for a few minutes, to give them enough Delta V (change velocity) to attain escape velocity - about 24,000 miles per hour. This engine firing lasted about two minutes, after which the engine was shut down and they would cruise in unpowered space flight en-route to the Moon, leaving Isaac Newton in charge. The engine firing that set them on course to the moon was known as the "Trans Lunar Injection Burn," or "TLI" for short. A question for you: Don't you think "Trans Lunar Injection Burn" would be a BITCHIN' name for a rock band? What cool names do YOU have for rock bands? Explain. Cite specific examples. 50 points. |
This is neat: www.solarviews.com/eng/apo15.htm Kevin "  "
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The TLI burn was actually performed by the third stage of the Saturn stack, the SIVB. The SIVB was fired twice--once for orbital insertion and the second time for the TLI burn from earth orbit to the moon. The single J-2 rocket engine in the stage was cryogenic--O2 and H2--and was unique for a cryo motor in that it was designed to relite after the original orbital insertion burn. The J-2X, a direct descent of the original moon engine will also be used in the Aeres booster for the Constellation program to support the space station and return to the moon. Old (40 y.o.) J-2 hardware is currently being tested as part of the redevelopment of the J-2X. The Command Module engine was powered by a single hypergolic motor and was fired twice--once to slow down to allow the moon to capture the Apollo/LEM, and the second time to reboost the Apollo for the earth return trip. I'll bet that's more than you wanted to know. |