The Flickr Rcsquad Image Generatr

Gorgeous ca. 1962 depiction of the Apollo Command/Service Module by the supremely talented Gary Meyer, on behalf of North American Aviation. The presence of the dual periscopes extending from either side of the Command Module, along with the hinged & open protective panel exposing the observation window, both confirm the year. More significantly, the periscopes are representative of the Direct Ascent mission concept…which was still under consideration as of 1962. Their presence necessary for the back-asswards descent & landing, since the astronauts would be ‘on their backs’ during such. Yikes!

So, if this depiction is indeed of a lunar landing mission, not circumlunar or some other precursor/test flight, then, it’s after the lunar landing module (possessing the landing gear) would have been jettisoned. That is, assuming it and its engine was also used for liftoff from the surface. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Finally, note the large deployed/extended antennas coming out from the sides of the Service Module. Thanks to Paul Carsola’s brilliant scans (in support/on behalf of the SDASM), and linked to below, one of the antennas is the parabolic radar antenna, I assume used during descent/landing (probably the one on the left, since it’s still pointing at the moon). The other, possibly referred to as the Deep Space Instrumentation Facility (DSIF) parabolic antenna, which I assume came to be known as the high-gain antenna. DSIF was renamed the Deep Space Network (DSN) in 1963.

Is this cool shit or what? If you don’t think so, you’re WRONG. So…just move along then.

I’m assuming this is associated with one of the two configurations to the upper right: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

www.astronautix.com/a/apollolunarlanding.html
Credit: Astronautix website

archive.org/details/ApolloDoc002/Apollo Doc001.jpg
Credit: Paul Carsola/SDASM Archives/Internet Archive website

Along with:

www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/albums/72157628843527459
Credit: Paul Carsola/SDASM Archive/Flickr

8.5” x 11”, with a wonderful super fine-grain satin sheen. Based on the size, I’m sure it was part of a professional NAA presentation packet/portfolio.

Brilliant:

garymeyerillustration.net/ILLUSTRATIONS/Pages/early_work....
Credit: “GARY MEYER ILLUSTRATION” website

“APOLLO 11 ON PAD------High-angle view of Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, showing the 363-foot tall Apollo 11 (Spacecraft 107/Lunar Module 5/Saturn 506) space vehicle on pad. This photograph was taken during Apollo 11 Countdown Demonstration Test (CDDT) activity. Apollo 11 is scheduled as the first lunar landing mission. The crew will be Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. This view is looking down the Apollo 11 stack toward the ground from the mobile launch tower.”

Minor breaks in the border, bumped corners and remnant (barely perceptible) staple holes (also in the border) do not detract from the overal image.

A wonderful rarely published/seen photograph taken by Apollo 9 Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) Rusty Schweickart, during his Extravehicular Activity (EVA). Based on the view/perspective, possibly taken while he was still secured to Lunar Module “Spider’s” porch, using the foot restraint apparatus referred to as the “golden slippers”.

Obviously, the photograph hasn't been properly cared for/stored, but it's retained reasonable gloss & I'm just glad that it survived.

A fascinating & pleasant discovery - to me - is that a portion of Commander Jim McDivitt’s face is visible in the triangular LMP window. By my estimation, the following features/items are present & identifiable in my labeled version of the photo:

1. coiled 16mm Data Acquisition Camera (DAC) electrical/power cable
2. white Communications Carrier Assembly (CCA)/“Snoopy Cap” microphone boom base
3. helmet neck ring
4. helmet attaching neck ring
5. possible sun reflection along the surface of McDivitt’s bubble helmet
6. NASA Meatball/Vector patch on his A7L pressure suit
7. McDivitt’s partially opened mouth (teeth & lips visible)
The green outlines are of the double reflection of the LM RCS thruster’s nozzle.

Linked to below, in order:
- my labeled version of the image
- the same image, from the “Project Apollo Archive”
- a similar image, however, without McDivitt at the window & more clearly showing the double reflection of the LM RCS thruster nozzle, also from the “Project Apollo Archive”
- a cropped & edited high resolution version of the image taken from the “March To The Moon” website

The rest of the window’s surface reflects the clouds (and possibly water) of the earth below. The conical Kapton-covered surface of the docked Command Module, with its protruding umbilical fairing, are visible to the upper left. Finally, the large circular feature to the far right is the flashing tracking light, which apparently was inoperative during the flight. The smaller circular feature to its left is the white docking light, the colors of the other three docking lights being yellow, red & green. Who knew?!

I wonder if this photo is in Andy Saunders' book, "APOLLO REMASTERED", which looks to be fantastic. I'd better pick up a copy.

Last, but NOT least. THANK YOU MR. ARMSTRONG:

www.collectspace.com/news/news-020915a-neil-armstrong-art...

Sort of similar stuff going on, with great discussion & information:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001958.html
Both above credit: collectSPACE website

With a dearth of comparable/available imagery to go on…in fact, the only image I came across that’s similar & linked to below, this shows BP-26 being mated to the SA-8/AS-104 launch vehicle on Launch Complex 37B (LC-37B).
The radial configuration of the forward restraint straps of the Pegasus B/Pegasus 2 (micro)meteoroid detection satellite can be seen inside the cavity of the Command Module. I think the squarish structure to be two of the stowed/folded solar panels of the satellite.

Note: The above corrected description is based on input below. An obvious & total bonehead blunder on my part.

Despite having seen better days, the photograph has retained its gloss and is of amazing resolution.

Television footage of Pegasus 1 deployment:

youtu.be/FT6bMnJHSTQ
Credit: Retro Space HD/YouTube

“Andrew Aldrin, 11-year-old son of Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, stands in front of a full-scale model of the lunar module, the vehicle in which his astronaut father will attempt to land on the moon 7/20. Andrew is holding some photos made off a telecast beamed back from lunar orbit by the Apollo 11 crew. Andrew made a brief tour of the news center at the Manned Spacecraft Center 7/19 where he viewed the model of the lunar lander and other exhibits.”

Andrew is pretty much standing where his dad stood at the beginning of the year, after NASA’s announcement of the Apollo 11 crew. See linked photo below.

A striking artist’s concept depicting the configuration of docked Command/Service Module & Lunar Module ascent stage…somewhere in space.
I’ve never seen this before & no signature is present. However, I have it on impeccable authority that it’s by the hand of Henry Lozano Jr.

Although there’s no watermark on the verso, it has a TPMBK feel/”weight” to it.

“Engineers working within the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building prepare the Apollo 12 lunar module, LM-6, for enclosure within the Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter. Astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., and Richard Gordon, Jr., are to descend in this lunar module to the Moon’s surface while Alan Bean orbits overhead in the command module.”

Just transcribing the above as it was printed on the verso. Maybe the writer had fond memories of the crew of Gemini 11 & transposed it to this. Then again, maybe just incompetence and/or cluelessness.

Note all of the exposed innards of Intrepid, both ascent & descent stage, in addition to the lack of the RCS plume deflectors. I don't know the timeline/workflow of LM/SLA encapsulation, but this looks like it may have been an early fit check/test.

“A front view of the Apollo 14 Lunar Module (LM), which reflects a circular flare caused by the brilliant sun, as seen by the two moon-exploring crew men of the Apollo 14 lunar landing mission during their first extravehicular activity (EVA). The unusual ball of light was said by the astronauts to have a jewel-like appearance. At the extreme left the lower slope of Cone Crater can be seen. Astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr., commander; and Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot; descended in the LM, while astronaut Stuart A. Roosa, command module pilot; remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit.”

Paraphrased from ALSJ commentary:

“Up-Sun from Al's 12 o'clock pan taken near the LM at the start of EVA-1. To the far left, we can see the upward slope of the ridge of Cone Crater. The opened MESA is clearly visible to the left of the ladder, with the LRRR visible in the west footpad (with the ladder). Shepard would later carry it out to the ALSEP deployment site.”

All at:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a14/images14.html

And a superb different perspective, also at the ALSJ:

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a14/AS14-66-9277HR.jpg

Technically I can't say this is part of my Saturn V Aesthetic series, since this is a Reaction Control System quad on the side of an Apollo Service Module, not on the Saturn V. But it's very much in the same spirit.

At first glance this looks to be an excellent perspective view of transposition & docking, complete with jettisoned SLA panels drifting off, by North American Aviation (NAA), responsible for many Apollo artist’s concepts during this (1963) time frame. The depiction very possibly by the phenomenally talented Gary Meyer.

Although dated 1963, the photo depicts an early LEM design of NASA origin, which predates even the initial GAEC concept. Note the cylindrical descent stage, wide stance landing gear, and although not visible, a probable conical ascent stage.

Since when is this CSM/LEM configuration/positioning normal? Especially AFTER the S-IVB stage has been jettisoned. And what is that conduit-like thing coming out from the Service Module, running along its length, apparently to/into the LEM?
Well I’ll be damned, commencing at the 1:52 mark:

youtu.be/Qx2eXSCWJgE
Credit: The Space Archive/YouTube

youtu.be/GbNwBmRfTAw
Credit: Retro Space HD/YouTube

Who knew?! Did you!? I didn’t!

In color:

archive.org/details/S63-00048
Credit: Internet Archive website

Weatherford Oklahoma

Apollo 14 closeout photo of Reaction Control System (RCS) Quadrant no. 4, LM-8 (Antares). Photograph was taken 27 January, 1971, inside the Spacecraft-Lunar Module Adapter (SLA), at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A). The inner surface of an SLA panel is visible to the left, the white circular S-Band Steerable Antenna is to the back, and the triangular outline & protective cover of/over the Lunar Module Pilot's (LMP) window can be made out at the upper right corner. Excellent detail is visible on three of the four Marquardt R-4D thruster nozzles.

This photo was probably taken during the same closeout photo documentation ‘session’:

www.ninfinger.org/karld/My Space Museum/sband3.jpg
Credit: Ninfinger.com - host to multiple fantastic LM documentation photos.

"Buzz has reached the bottom rung of the ladder and is about the jump down to the footpad. As he said at the moment Neil took this picture, "Okay. I'm going to leave that one foot up there and both hands down to about the fourth rung up." The thermal shroud protecting the U.S. flag that Neil and Buzz deploy during the EVA can be seen on the underside of the lefthand ladder rail. See, also, NASA photo S69-38755,
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/mccraw.gif
which shows the flag on a LM mockup in Houston."

www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/AS11-40-5868.jpg
All above credit the ALSJ.

Also:

"Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot, descends the steps of the Lunar Module (LM) ladder as he prepares to walk on the moon. He had just egressed the LM. This photograph was taken by astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, with a 70mm lunar surface camera during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA). While Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the LM "Eagle" to explore the moon, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit."

"Astronaut Charles Conrad is shown emerging from the upper docking tunnel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Lunar Excursion Module M-5 Mock-up while wearing a lunar thermal suit."

Photograph release/publication date was January 25, 1965.

A full view of the M-5 LEM, I guess during the same time-frame, while the ascent stage innards were 'exposed':

encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS3b7HXcCc83...

This post-EVA photo out Buzz Aldrin's window shows the U.S. flag, the TV camera, and the cluster of boulders beyond, which were probably ejected from West Crater. Note the raised rim on the fresh, young crater in the middle distance beyond and to the right of the TV camera. Note, also, the cable running from the MESA to the TV camera.

Above per the ALSJ.

“APOLLO 11 CREW----The prime crew of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission is suited up during training activity at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the historic July 16th space flight. Left to right, are Astronauts Michael Collins, command module pilot; Neil A. Armstrong, commander; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. Behind them is a Lunar Module mockup.”

Final systems checkout for the Apollo 11 Lunar Module (LM-5) are conducted in the Open Bay Area of the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) at the Kennedy Space Center. LM-5 will then be moved from its work stand to the Vehicle Assembly Building's (VAB) High Bay for mating with its Spacecraft/Lunar Module Adapter (SLA). In fact, the(?)/a SLA can be seen almost directly behind the engine bell/skirt of the LM.

The Lunar Module is incorrectly identified as LM-6 on the verso.

The first photograph taken by an earthling, Neil Armstrong, on - and of - the moon, just after landing. With a RCS thruster in the foreground, the view is to the left/south through his window.

Above paraphrased from the ALSJ, in addition to the following, adding context to its historic significance, despite it ‘merely’ being a contingency checklist procedure:

"...frames (5449-5453) were taken out Neil's window just after they completed the post-landing platform alignment, as per Sur-5 in the LM Lunar Surface Checklist,
www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/a11sur.pdf
at about 103:59:47. These pictures - together with a sequence that follows, taken by Buzz - form a contingency panorama in order to briefly document the site and its immediately interesting features, so that the crew wouldn't have left [empty-handed] in case of a NO STAY decision. Note that, as with all the frames on this magazine, they were taken with the magazine on the IVA camera and have no Reseau crosses."

Two components of the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASEP) are seen deployed on the lunar surface in this view photographed from inside the Lunar Module (LM). In the far background is the Passive Seismic Experiment Package (PSEP); and to the right and closer to the camera is the Laser Ranging Retro-Reflector (LR-3). The footprints of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. are very distinct in the lunar soil.

View looking southwest, out Dave Scott's window of the surface near the LM after EVA 3. I believe the site of the ALSEP array, to include the central station, is visible near the horizon, just right of center. Note also the higher albedo of the regolith in the region of the ALSEP array. A result of the Astronauts’ concentrated activity there?