Space Forum / Space History / April 2004

Well, not for the Apollo missions, but for Apollo 13 movie they did. :-)

Well... not exactly.  The Vomit Comet was set up with more than just a
LM hatch, it was set up with the LM forward hatch and a realistic
simulation of the control panel, mid-step (the "floor" of the
cylindrical forward LM cabin), and ascent engine cover.  This set-up was
flown on 1/6 G parabolas and, in the 45 seconds or so of 1/6 G afforded
by the parabolas, LM crews practiced getting down on their stomachs and
backing out the hatch.  I've seen references to these 1/6 G flights for
each lunar landing crew, including the Apollo 17 crew, so they never got
to the point where they thought the prior crews' experience was enough
to assure them that any guy they sent up would have no problems exiting
the LM.

They had to put together a LM interior simulator that would mimic the
cramped quarters in which the LM crews would actually exit their
vehicle, since that was probably the most difficult and physically
demanding thing Apollo crews did while in hard suits.  You had to learn
by doing the trick of getting down on your knees, then flat on your
stomach, flattening your back so that the PLSS would clear the "purse"
hangers (the attachments for the temporary stowage bags with which the
LM was launched) and the hatch itself.  In training, the crews found
that it took a trick of placing your faceplate almost directly on the
floor of the cabin and kicking your legs back through the hatch in order
to line up properly.  Such a thing needed to be physically practiced in
1/6 G to ensure successful egress.

Doug
dvandorn@NOSPAM.mn.rr.com