Apollo 17 Photographic Task Requirements

SM Orbital Photographic Tasks

Obtain lunar surface photographs and altitude data from lunar orbit.

Purpose

The purpose is to obtain high resolution panoramic and high quality metric lunar surface photographs and altitude data from lunar orbit to aid in the overall exploration of the Moon.

The functional test objectives in order of priority are as follows:

FTO 1) Obtain high resolution panoramic photographs with stereoscopic and monoscopic coverage of the lunar surface.

FTO 2) Obtain high quality metric photographs of the lunar surface and stellar photographs exposed simultaneously with the metric photographs.

FTO 3) Obtain data on the altitude of the CSM above the lunar surface.

(n.b. FTO = Flight Test Objective)

Test Conditions

FTO 1, 2 and 3. The three functional test objectives will be accomplished using the 24-inch Panoramic Camera, 3-inch Mapping Camera and Laser Altimeter, respectively. To avoid, contamination, when feasible, liquid dumps (urine and waste water) and fuel cell purges should be prohibited for 3 hours prior to and during equipment operation, and RCS jets A2, A4, B1 and B4 should be disabled during equipment operation. All CSM maneuvers performed after jettison of the SIM door and prior to the end of the orbital science experiment period will be done in such a manner as to prevent direct sunlight from impinging on the camera lenses or the altimeter photocell. During periods of lunar surface photography using these instruments, the CSM attitude will be controlled to prevent direct sunlight from impinging on the camera lenses.

FTO 1 and 2. The fields-of-view of both cameras will be unobstructed during operation. During camera operation, the SIM bay will be nadir-aligned (except where identified otherwise in Table 2) with the CSM Plus-X axis directed along the velocity vector. The in-flight pointing accuracy requirements are +2.5° about all axes for the 24-inch Panoramic Camera and +2.0° about all axes for the 3-inch Mapping Camera. CSM attitude deadbands will be +0.5° with + 0.05° per second drift while the cameras are in operation on the lunar light side. Post mission pointing knowledge requirements are +2.0° about all axes for both cameras. When the 24-inch Panoramic Camera is operated, it is highly desirable that the 3-inch Mapping Camera be operated concurrently. Initial warm-up of the Mapping Camera and Panoramic Camera will be in accordance with Paragraphs 3.7.3.4.1 and 3.4.3.4.1 of t h e CSM/LM Spacecraft Operational Data Book, SNA-8-D-O27(VI), Volume VI, CSM Experiments Data Book f or J-Missions. Following completion of all photography, the crew will perform an EVA and retrieve film cassettes from both cameras and stow them in the CM.

FTO 1 The 24-inch Panoramic Camera will be operated during portions of lunar orbit lightside passes in accordance with Table 1.

The first photographic sequence will be scheduled as early as is practical in lunar orbit. The last sequence will finish at the western terminator of the last available orbit. To the extent possible within film limitations, the Panoramic Camera Sequences will provide contiguous 70° rectified Panoramic Camera sequence duration during a single lightside coverage of the combined sunlit area overflown by the CSM on Apollo 15, Apollo 16 and Apollo Mission 5-3. The maximum pass will be no more than approximately 30 minutes.

The V/H override control of the Panoramic Camera will be operated in accordance with MCC instructions.

FTO 2 The 3-inch Mapping Camera will be operated in accordance with the requirements of Table 2. To the extent possible the 3-inch Mapping Camera sequences will provide at least 55 percent sidelap between consecutive bands of photographic coverage. Concurrent operation of the Laser Altimeter is required, except for oblique Mapping Camera passes and post-TEI Mapping Camera operation. Mapping Camera operation on darkside passes, as indicated in Table 2, is required for the purpose of providing attitude data for the Laser Altimeter. The Mapping Camera image motion compensation may be changed in real time following evaluation of telemetry data at the MCC.

FTO 3 The Laser Altimeter will be operated as specified in Table 3. The Laser Altimeter will operate whenever the Mapping Camera is operating, except for Mapping Camera oblique passes and post-TEI operation. For Laser Altimeter operation, the SIM bay will be nadir-aligned, with the CSM Plus-X or Minus-X axis aligned to the velocity vector. In-flight pointing accuracy requirements are plus or minus 2.0° about all axes. For periods of operating the Laser Altimeter simultaneously with the Mapping Camera on the lunar dark side, it is highly desirable that CSM attitude deadbands be plus or minus 0.5° with less that 0.05&deg-per-second drift. For highly desirable periods of Laser Altimeter operation, the pointing requirement is plus or minus 6.5°; CSM attitude deadbands will be plus or minus 5.0° with less than 0.5° per second drift. Pointing knowledge must be recoverable post-mission to within plus or minus 2.0° about all axes.

Success Criteria

FTO 1 and 2 Mandatory data defined under Data Requirements shall be acquired and returned to Earth for evaluation.

Evaluation

FTO 1, 2 and 3 The photographic and altitude data will be evaluated to determine its suitability for operational and scientific applications. (Premission, experiment support, and experiment evaluation data as defined under Data Requirements.)

Data Requirements

1. Premission Data (PD): (M)

Premission sensitometry of the flight films in accordance with the standard procedures of the Photographic Technology Division.

Experiment Support Data (ESD): a) Telemetry Measurements:

Telemetry measurements listed under 3 ) a ) .Display preference is indicated by (A) for analog and (D) for digital.

 

3) Experiment Evaluation Data (EED):

 

a )Telemetry Measurements :

 

Measurement

Number

Description

TM

Mode

 P R

PD*

IOR

ESD

I T Y

EED

SL 1030 V

Pan Camera V/H Command Voltage

PCM

N/A

 

M(A)

HD

SL 1032 T

Pan Camera Film Mag Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1038 H

Pan Camera Exposure Command

PCM

N/A

 

  M

HD

SL 1039 T

Pan Camera Lens Barrel Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1040 T

Pan Camera Forward Lens Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1041 T

Pan Camera Aft Lens Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1042 T

Pan Camera Mech Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1044 H

Pan Camera Slit Width

PCM

N/A

 

M(A)

HD

SL 1045 X

Pan Camera GO / NO GO

PCME

N/A

 

N/A

HD

SL 1094 T

Laser Altimeter Cavity Temp

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1122 K

Laser Altimeter Output 24 Bits Ser

PCMD

N/A

 

M(D)

M **

SL 1160 T

Temp Metric Lens Front Element

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1161 T

Temp Metric Lens Barrel

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1162 T

Temp Stellar Lens Front Element

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1163 T

Temp Stellar Lens Barrel

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1164 T

Temp MC Supply Cassette

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1165 X

MC Image Motion Off / On Commands

PCME

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1166 R

Metric Shutter Disc Speed

PCM

N/A

 

M

HD

SL 1172 X

Map Camera GO / NO GO

PCME

N/A

 

N/A

HD

SL 1173 X

Film Motion / Metric Exposure

PCME

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1176 Q

Metric Film Remaining

PCM

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1177 X

MC Cycle Rate / Metric Shtr Ctr Exp

PCME

N/A

 

HD

HD

SL 1181 V

Map Camera V/H Increase Level

PCM

N/A

 

M

HD

                                                  

* There are no requirements for pre-mission data.

** If telemetry cannot be recorded on the lunar backside, the Lunar Altimeter should be operated since the altitude word is automatically recorded on the Mapping Camera film.                 

                b) Telemetry Measurement Tapes:                                                                                                                      

                    One copy of the tape** containing EED telemetered measurements listed under 3)a), recorded and correlated with GMT during periods of equipment        operation.

 

                c) Astronaut Logs or Voice Records:  (HD)

                    One copy of astronaut logs or voice records containing the description and GET of manual control settings for the 24 inch Panoramic Camera, the 3 inch Mapping Camera, and the Laser Altimeter.    

                d) Astronaut Debriefings:   (HD)

                    Two copies of astronaut post-mission scientific and photographic debriefing  transcript pertaining to operation of the SIM bay cameras and the Laser Altimeter.

                e) Photographs:   (M)

                    Five sets of Panoramic and Mapping camera photographs.

 

                 f) Two copies of microfilm containing the output of the Apollo Photographic Evaluation Program (APE) program for the periods of operation of the SIM bay cameras and the Laser Altimeter.   (M)

 

                 g) Supporting Data:   (HD)

                     (1) One copy of Laser Altimeter record listing of SL 1122 K.

                     (2) One hard copy listing of the tapes listed under 3)b) and 3)f).             

                     (3) One copy each, 16 mm microfiche of tape digital hard copy listing of tape listed under 3)b).                         

** Magnetic tape produced is to be UNIVAC 1108 computer-compatible digital 7 track, 800 BPI tape.

Background and Justification

24-inch Panoramic Camera [FTO 1]:

High resolution panoramic photographs were obtained of lighted areas. The combined area photographed overflown during Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 during the two missions was approximately 15 percent of the lunar surface. Apollo 15 panoramics coverage included photographs of the following high priority targets: the Hadley Rille landing site, the highlands between Mare Crisium and Mare Serenitatis, the LM ascent stage impact area (pre-and post-impact), general coverage near the terminator, at the sub-solar point, and under intermediate lighting conditions. In addition to multiple coverage of the Descartes landing site, Apollo 16 panoramic photographs included prime target areas at King Crater and the Fra Mauro region.

3-inch Mapping Camera [FTO 2]:

Three-inch Mapping Camera photographs and simultaneous stellar photographs were obtained on Apollo 15 and Apollo 16. In each case all sunlit areas overflown by the spacecraft were photographed. In addition to cartographic quality vertical photography, the mapping camera was used during Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 to obtain oblique photographs of large areas north and south of the lunar surface ground tracks.

Laser Altimeter [FTO 3]:

Approximately 30 percent of the planned Apollo 15 Laser Altimeter data were obtained before hardware failure. These data indicate that, in general, the lunar front side is 2 to 5 kilometers lower than the mean radius and the backside is 2 to 5 kilometers higher than the mean radius.

During Apollo 16, the laser altimeter was operated on each vertical mapping camera pass, and provided approximately 70 percent of the planned data.

Miscellaneous

Photographs and altitude data to be obtained in support of this detailed objective will supplement the photographs and altitude data obtained on Apollo 15 and 16.

Panoramic camera operation will be planned to accomplish the following:

(1) Extend high resolution coverage in the east-west direction beyond the coverage obtained on previous missions.

(2) Fill gaps in the rectified panoramic coverage of Apollo 15 and Apollo 16.

(3) Provide multiple high resolution coverage of the Taurus-Littrow landing site.

The data obtained in support of this detailed objective will also be provided for data analysis tasks, identified by Reference 8 as the following lunar orbital photographic experiments:

S-213 Selenocentric Reference System;

S-214 Lunar Altitude Profile

S-215 Lunar Altimeter: Radii/Gravity

S-216 Laser Altimeter selenodesy

S-217 IR/Radar Study

S-218 Photo/Altimetry Analyses

S-219 Gravity/Crustal Structure

S-220 Lunar Geology, Eastern Maria

S-221 Structure of Shallow Maria

S-222 Photogeology

S-223 Volcanology and Morphology

S-224 Surface Structure and Processes

S-225 Morphology of Crater Chains.

 

Previous Flight Objectives

Objective NumberTitleMission
4.5SM Orbital Photographic Tasks15
4.1SM Orbital Photographic Tasks16

Table 1. Photographic Requirements for the 24-inch Panoramic Camera

Revolution Number (degrees)Start longitude (degrees)Stop longitude (degrees)
1/2152W**144E
2123E95E
13/14172W100E
15102E14E****
28155E85E
4980E26E
62133E30E
6233E27E***
7467E25E
745W45W
Post TEI(Provide coverage of visible lunar disc using any remaining film)***
Apart from revolutions 1 and 2, which are 60 x 170 NM orbits, all the revolutions indicated in the table are approximately 60 NM circular orbits.

** Eastern terminator.

*** These sequences will be done in the monoscopic mode. All other sequences will be done in the stereoscopic mode.

**** Western terminator.

Table 2. Photographic Requirements for the 3-inch Mapping Camera

Revolution NumberStart longitude (degrees)Stop longitude (degrees)Comments
1/2144W26ELight side pass
13/14162W7ELight side pass
14/15164W63W1-1/2 revolutions *
23/24168W2WLight side pass
25/27168W4E40° North oblique-Light side pass
27/294E6W2 revolutions *
35/36147W14W40° South oblique-Light side pass
38162E177E1 revolution *
49167E28WLight side pass
62/63163E150E1 revolution
65152E77E40° North oblique-1/3 light side pass
6577E62EManeuver from North oblique to South oblique
6562E47W40° South oblique - ½ light side pass, ½ dark side pass
66/6747W41W1 revolution
73/74161W52WApproximately 60 deg dark side coverage plus1 light side pass
Post TEI**--Coverage of visible lunar Disc
* Mapping Camera will be operated on dark side portions of these revolutions in order that the Stellar Camera portion of the Mapping Camera system can provide attitude data for use in support of Laser Altimeter data reduction. A full revolution corresponds to 361° in selenographic longitude due to lunar rotation.

** The Mapping Camera is to be operated as soon as practicable following TEI using the remainder of the film.

Table 3. Requirements for Operation of the Laser Altimeter

Laser Altimeter On*Laser Altimeter Off
Revolution NumberLongitude (degrees)Revolution NumberLongitude (degrees)
1144W226E
13162W147E
14164W1563W
23168W242W
274E296W
38162E38177E
49167E4928W
62163E63150E
6647W6641W
73161W7452W
*Laser Altimeter will operate whenever the Mapping Camera is operating, except for oblique Mapping Camera passes and Post-TEI operation.


Last update: 2017-02-17

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