Lunar Module (questions to ponder)

One of my favorite vehicle(s) is the Lunar Module and Carrier.

Seems that Derek Meddings based these vehicles on rough concepts that
were created by NASA in the '60s. The idea of launching a space
vehicle from a conventional aircraft is something that is quite
practical and economically feasible even by today's standards.

However, some of the depictions of the Lunar Module in 'UFO' leaves
one to scratch the head....here are my observations on the Lunar
Module:

(1) Although the model of the Lunar Module clearly shows a cockpit,
the full-scale mockup indicates that there is no viewport forward of
the astronauts. I would assume this was a cost-cutting measure
because the scenes would require process photography.

(2) Why does the Lunar Module land on it's exhaust cone? Interesting
that the entire weight of the vehicle can be supported by it (yes, I
understand the lowered gravity of the moon, etc., but landing gear
would have made more sense).

(3) Isn't it dangerous for a vehicle like the LM to land atop one of
the enviro-domes? A more reasonable landing site would be off to the
side of the Moonbase complex (with some kind of retractable,
pressurized walkway leading to the LM landing site from the Control
Sphere).

(4) How do the passengers gain entry/exit from the Lunar Module?
Remember that it lands vertically onto Moonbase where everyone inside
would be seated at 90 degree angles from level ground). Also, keep in
mind that no one wears pressurized suits while on board the LM. BTW,
Straker, Freeman and Paul Roper seem to be the only SHADO personnel
exempt from wearing the silver spacesuits when riding aboard the
Lunar Module.

Thoughts would be appreciated...

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 12:23 PM
Subject: [SHADO] Lunar Module (questions to ponder)


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You just nailed stuff that has irked me about that thing forever......

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> (1) Although the model of the Lunar Module clearly shows a cockpit,
> the full-scale mockup indicates that there is no viewport forward of
> the astronauts. I would assume this was a cost-cutting measure
> because the scenes would require process photography.
>

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This one's easy. They never show a good view of the cockpit forward,
only one looking back at the pilots faces, and a few tight shots of small
sections of what looks like a control panel.
There could easily be view ports in front of them that we just never
see.

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> (2) Why does the Lunar Module land on it's exhaust cone? Interesting
> that the entire weight of the vehicle can be supported by it (yes, I
> understand the lowered gravity of the moon, etc., but landing gear
> would have made more sense).
>

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Not to mention the damage done by all that direct application of super
hot combustion gases.
No explano for that one, just plain dumb....

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> (3) Isn't it dangerous for a vehicle like the LM to land atop one of
> the enviro-domes? A more reasonable landing site would be off to the
> side of the Moonbase complex (with some kind of retractable,
> pressurized walkway leading to the LM landing site from the Control
> Sphere).
>

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Better yet, a landing site a mile or two away is better, prefferably on
the other side of a wall of hills, or a mountain range.... that way if one
of those things augers in, the resulting explosion and debris thrown up
wouldn't rain down on the base next door.
You would pick up the passengers with a pressurised vehicle that came
out to meet it.

Landing atop the dome was another dumb move, but don't forget, this came
from the guy who designed a ship and launching method in Thunderbirds (????)
where this big rocket, launched from underground, out of a swimming pool
which slid aside, and through the middle of a ring shaped walkway, which
looked cool to little kids watching, but was totally preposterous in
reality.
Gerry seemed to like those cool neato cartoon ideas....


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> (4) How do the passengers gain entry/exit from the Lunar Module?
> Remember that it lands vertically onto Moonbase where everyone inside
> would be seated at 90 degree angles from level ground). Also, keep in
> mind that no one wears pressurized suits while on board the LM. BTW,
> Straker, Freeman and Paul Roper seem to be the only SHADO personnel
> exempt from wearing the silver spacesuits when riding aboard the
> Lunar Module.
>

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I've farted around with the AutoCAD a bit trying to figure out a gantry
design that could accomodate those needs, and frankly, there is none that
looks like what they use in the show.
The closest design would require a pressurized passenger/freight
elevator and swing/telescoping tube that links with the LM through the
floor, as there is no such thing visible in the show that could reach around
the side to match up with the top or side doors usually depicted in the
show.
Going through the floor though, requires a huge hole and door, thus
seals and weak points, right in the area of most heat and aerodynamic
punishment during Earth re-entry. Again, an irreconsilable difference
brought on by Gerry's cartoonlike design mentality.

Space suits aren't a problem in the LM, since it seems large enough that
the crew and passengers could change into and out of them as needed. I've
only seen them wear suits once in the show, and that was in "Close Up",
where Foster & gang fit the telescope into that probe in lunar orbit.

Dave H.

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