Management lessons from the Apollo service module program

Aeronautics

National Space Craft Program Proposal

Establishment of a Special committee on Special development

Apollo 1 (as-204)

Apollo 7 (as 205)

Apollo 9 (as 504)

Apollo 10 (as 505)

Apollo 11 (as 506)

Apollo 12 (as 507)

Apollo 13 (as 508)

Apollo 14 (as 509)

Apollo 15 (as 510)

Apollo 16 (as 511)

Apollo 17 (as 512)

Management Lessons

Apollo 1

Management lesson

Apollo communications and Design

Management Lesson

Estimated cost of Research and Development

The Apollo service module has greatly contributed to the development of Space exploration. With the development of different blocks and modifications done on the design and safety requirements, the Apollo has become more efficient than it was at it's inception. It has been characterized by a series of space launches that have led to the development of space activities by NASA such as the use of lunar vehicles, walking on the moon, installation of satellites in space among other accomplishments.

The first launch of the Apollo was characterized by fatalities that occurred through an oxygen leak leading to the explosion of the space craft. Recent developments have however incorporated the development of better blocks of Apollo that has led to numerous discoveries in space. This has however not put an end to set backs experienced by NASA in carrying out successful space launches. A breakdown in communication and a defective craft wing are some of the setbacks that have characterized the launches of Apollo space crafts.

Apollo has been through approximately 20 launches with some having been unsuccessful. NASA still continues in these space activities with great military inspirations from government in the funding of such activities. This research study seeks to investigate the various launches, costs, and managerial lessons that the aeronautics field can learn from the Apollo Service Module.

National Space Craft program Proposal

Rocket and Satellite research panel proposed a non-military space mission to accomplish among others an unmanned space instrument non-lunar landing, manned circumnavigation of the moon with a return to earth and an establishment of a lunar base (Fuji crystal, 2010). This space mission was collaborated by the American Rocket society and was also to exclude military operations in space. These mission objectives were to be carried out within the periods of 1959 and 1970. The last mission would be the establishment of the lunar station (Wade, 2008).

Establishment of a special committee on Space development

During the period of 1958, a special committee was established to find out the issues related to space development. H. Guyford Stever headed the committee from the Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT) (Wade, 2008). Among the issues that were to be looked into, related to the space safety concerns and the economization of costs related to the development of the space crafts. There were a series of meetings by NASA that preceded the next launch of the space trip. Various areas of concerns were addressed by NASA including the weight of the space shuttle, the landing mechanism, survival of crew among other issues.

Apollo 1, (as-204)

This mission was characterized by an accident which was to be the launch pad for Apollo 204 (as-204) (Frasketi, 2010). The launch pad mission was to be a test pad for the first unmanned mission that was to be launched on February 21, 1967. Three astronauts lost their lives during this mission when fire engulfed the command module (Frasketi, 2010). Numerous deficiencies were noted in the communications assembly point caused by broken wiring bent pins and connector malfunctions (Wade, 2008) Certain design modifications also resulted in additional weak points and a cumbersome cable assembly connected to the crew members (Wade, 2008). The director for flight assembly then concluded that the communications malfunctions were too dire for flight operations (Wade, 2008). There were no more manned flights thereafter until the Apollo 7 flight of October 11, 1968 (Frasketi, 2010).

Apollo 7, (as-205)

This was the first successful manned flight of the Apollo that circulated the earth 163 times. It actually took 10 days and 20 hours. This was also the first mission to have a manned television broadcast during the mission (Frasketi, 2010). The mission had three crew members with a commander and two mission pilots. Regular broadcasts were beamed to earth; reporting on the experiences during this mission.

Apollo 9, (as-504)

This mission was launched during the periods of March 3-13, 1969. This was the first flight of the lunar module and the first flight of all lunar hardware on earth (Frasketi, 2010). An astronaut by the name Schweickart performed a 37 minutes space walk on the moon's surface. The flight lasted 10 days and one hour. The findings in this mission were that human weight was weightless on the moon. "Gum Drop" was the name given to the command module and the lunar module was named "spider." This mission was also undertaken by three astronauts; a commander and two pilots (Frasketi, 2010).

Figure 2: Apollo 9 Lift off

Source: http://www.apollomissionphotos.com/index_ap9_reissues.html

Apollo 10, (as-505)

This mission was undertaken during May 18-26, 1969. It was a dress rehearsal for the first manned moon landing and the first manned command service module operations in cislunar and lunar environments. The lunar module was taken at a distance of 15,243 meters from the lunar surface. This mission also characterized the first live coverage in color television. The preceding mission was broadcasted in black and white. The flight took 8 days and 3 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). "Charlie Brown" was the name given to the command module and "Snoopy" was the name given to the lunar module (Frasketi, 2010). The mission was also undertaken by three pilots headed by P. Stafford as the commander and two co pilots (W. Young and a. Cernan).

Apollo 11, (as-506)

The mission was launched in 1969 July 16-24. This mission characterized the setting up of the American flag and other instruments on the moon. A plaque was established on the lunar module descent stage with the inscriptions Here Men From Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon. July 1969 a.D. We Came in Peace for All Mankind (Frasketi, 2010).They stayed on the lunar surface for 21.6 hours and 59.5 hours in the lunar orbit. The lunar module ascent stage was left on the lunar space with 20 kilograms of lunar material gathered. The flight lasted 8 days 3 hours and 18 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). The command module was named "Columbia" and "Eagle" was the name given to the Lunar module (Frasketi, 2010). The Apollo 11 astronauts were 3, comprised of a commander and 2 module plots.

Apollo 12, (as-507)

The mission was carried out on November 14-24, 1969. The landing was done at Ocean of Storms. There were three retrieved parts of the unmanned surveyor which had previously landed on the moon during the month of April 1967. Apollo Lunar surface experiments were deployed in this mission with a lunar surface stay time of 31.5 hours. It also stayed in the lunar orbit for 89 hours. The lunar module impact stage impacted 75 pounds on the moon's surface of lunar material. The duration of the mission was 10 days 3 hours and 36 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). The name "Yankee Clipper" was given to the command module. "Intrepid" was the name given to the Lunar module. The mission had three astronauts comprised of a junior commander, module pilot and a lunar module pilot (Greene, 2010).

Apollo 13, (as-508)

This mission was carried out in April 1970. It was the third lunar attempt but was aborted after the rapture of a service oxygen tank. NASA classified the mission as a "Successful Failure" because the crew was rescued in time to avert any fatalities (Frasketi, 2010). The spent upper stage was successfully impacted in space. This mission was however characterized by an astronaut exposing his colleagues to German measles days before the flight. One of the astronauts had no immunity to the measles and had to be replaced by another module pilot. The flight however took 5 days and 22.9 hours (Frasketi, 2010). The command module was named "Odyssey" and "Aquarius" was the name given to the Lunar module. After the replacement of the sick crew member, the crew was comprised of three astronauts constituting of a commander, one lunar and another commander module pilot (Frasketi, 2010).

Figure 3: Damaged Apollo 13

Source: http://space.about.com/od/apollomissions/ig/Apollo-13-Pictures-Gallery/View-of-damaged-Apollo-13-Serv.htm

Apollo 14, (as-509)

Fra Mauro was the landing site for this particular mission. Apollo Lunar service experiment packages were deployed to the moon on this mission. The Lunar surface stay time was 33.5 hours and 67 hours in Lunar orbit. There were 2 EVAs of 9 hours, 25 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). The third stage impacted on the moon with 94 pounds of lunar material being gathered. Unique to this mission, astronauts used hand carts to move rocks on the mission. "Kitty Hawk was the name given to the command module and the flight lasted 9 days. The Lunar module was named "Anthares." Alan B. Shepard was the commander, Stuart a. Roosa, was the commander module pilot and Edgar D. Mitchell was the Lunar module pilot (Frasketi, 2010).

Apollo 15, (as-510)

The landing site for this mission was Hadley which is a region near Apennine Mountains. There were 3 EVAs of 10 hours, 36 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). Warden performed 38 minutes EVA on the way back to earth. This flight was uniquely characterized to carry out orbital sensors in the command service module (Frasketi, 2010). Apollo Lunar services Experiments Package were also deployed. This mission doubled the scientific pay load carried to the moon. The astronauts also used improved space suits that increased their stay time which was 66.9 hours. They also used a space car for the first time which was an electric powered 4 wheel drive car. It covered a total of 17 miles on the moon. Astronauts were on the moon for 145 hours having covered 74 orbits. A sub-satellite was established in the moon for the first time. 169 pounds of lunar material was however gathered. The flight lasted 12 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes

(Frasketi, 2010). The command module was named "Endeavor," and the lunar module was named "Falcon." There were three astronauts on this mission namely: David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden, James B. Irwin who were the Commander, Command Module Pilot and Lunar Module Pilot respectively.

Apollo 16, (as-511)

The landing site was Descartes Highlands (Frasketi, 2010). Only selected surface experiments were deployed. Ultraviolet camera/spectrograph was used for the first time (Frasketi, 2010). The lunar vehicle was used as well. Lunar surface stay time was 71 hours and 126 hours in the lunar orbit having covered 64 orbits. 213 pounds of lunar material were gathered in this mission as well. The flight lasted 11 days, 1 hour and 51 minutes. The command module was named "Casper" and the lunar was named "Orion" (Frasketi, 2010). Just like other missions the Apollo 16 was headed by three astronauts comprising of a commander, assistant command module pilot and a lunar module pilot (Frasketi, 2010).

Apollo 17, (as-512)

This was the last lunar landing mission with the landing sites at Taurus-Littrow, highlands and valley area (This was the first study of the highlands area). There were three EVAs of 22 hours, and 4 minutes (Frasketi, 2010). 1 hour and 6 minutes was the record time Evans performed trans-earth EVA. This mission also put Harrison H. Schmitt as the first scientist-astronaut to land on the Moon. The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) covered a total of 19 miles this time. The lunar surface stay time was 75 hours having covered 17 hours in lunar orbit. 243 pounds of lunar material was gathered in this mission. The flight covered a total 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes. The name given to the command module was "America" and "Challenger" was the name given to the lunar module (Frasketi, 2010). Apollo 17 astronauts were Eugene a. Cernan, Ronald B. Evans and Harrison H. Schmitt.

Figure 4: The Apollo 17 in Space

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/29033/voyages/apollo.htm

Management Lessons

Apollo 1

In 1964, a decision was made to build the Apollo in two blocks. The block 1 spacecraft was designed with serial numbers of below 100 (Wade, 12008). This was majorly to cover equipment to space and cover earth orbital revolutions only. Delays in the project were caused by the death of astronauts. The second block was built from experience of the Apollo 1 fire; it incorporated a lot of safety measures that weren't observed in the building of the first block.

Management Lesson

The safety of the crew here exposes the need for companies to ensure the best safety standards in building their aircrafts. Even for commercial planes carrying passengers it's important for designers to implement the best safety standards. Safety is especially important in the Aeronautic industry because of the level of fatalities usually witnessed in such accidents. The fatalities experienced during the launch of the Apollo 1 delayed further launch of the spacecrafts and this goes to show the effects safety measures if not observed can have on the overall operations.

Apollo CSM Communications and Design

It's evident the launch of the Apollo missions was characterized by the failure of communication (S- Band antenna). There was also a problem experienced by one of the flight wings in the space craft that resulted in unsuccessful launching of the mission. Because of the structural defects on the plane and communications system, it almost caused NASA another tragedy though the situation was saved from fatalities (Think quest, 2010).

Management lesson

A lot of emphasis should be made on the design of spacecrafts. Structural defects shouldn't be left to occur at all. This stresses the need for management especially in the production sector to be very careful with detail regarding the most important reasons for the success of flights; for instance the communication system. Structural safety of aircrafts should be proof checked in further developments

Estimated Cost of Research and Development of Apollo

The project of building the Apollo space ship has been greatly funded by congress. This is because of the eminent risk America was, in regard to Soviet Union threats. NASA approximates that Apollo cost $20 billion U.S. dollars in research and development. The sustenance of the Apollo project has been greatly attributed to the good relations NASA has with congress. NASA's annual budget estimate from congress is represented at 5.3% (NASA, 2010).

Conclusion

The Apollo program is insightful on the advancements that have been made in the aeronautics industry. These developments go a long way in ensuring constant technological improvements regarding space operations. The Apollo Command project is also a great development to the national security parameters. It has revolutionalized the country's military knowledge regarding security (Aeronautical Society of America. 2006). it's also clear that it's very difficult for such a project (of Apollo's magnitude) to sail through without the help of government funding. More research is still being made and further developments are projected to take place that will bring a revolution in the aeronautical sector.