The Flickr Maindisplayconsole Image Generatr

NASA, Apollo Programme. Science Museum, Kensington, London, UK.

“LONE SPACE COWBOY

LONE ASTRONAUT -- Dick Gordon, Apollo 12 spacecraft command module pilot, maneuvers craft into position for rendezvous and docking with lunar module returning from moon in this drawing by North American Rockwell’s Space Division. Gordon orbits moon alone Tuesday through Thursday in command module while Astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean explore lunar surface. Apollo spacecraft command and service modules for the Apollo 12 mission were produced for NASA by North American Rockwell’s Space Division.”

The caption per the NASA issuance of the photo:

“In this artist concept, Apollo 12 astronaut Richard F. Gordon maneuvers the command module into position for rendezvous and docking with the lunar module returning from the Moon's surface. Astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., and Alan L. Bean will transfer from the lunar module into the command module for the return trip to Earth, Apollo 12 will be the Nation's second manned lunar landing mission.”

I've always found this image odd, no matter where I've seen it, in that it's always been identified as being Richard Gordon. I understand mission attribution in artist's concepts, and Neil Armstrong for obvious reasons...but specifically, of an individual Astronaut, rarely, especially in the course of performing a nominal, routine, expected, previously conducted task, like maneuvering the CSM. I like it, but I don’t get it...there had to be some other angle to it. I really don't think it was originally intended to be him...that's the face of a generic 1969 ‘action figure’ Astronaut. ;-)

Interior view of the 2TV-1 Command Module, ca. 1968. The Apollo 2TV-1 "mission" involved the crew of Joe Kerwin, Vance Brand, and Joe Engle staying in the CSM test spacecraft (2TV-1) for 177 hours while the spacecraft was in a large vacuum chamber in Houston. A similar test (LTA-8) was run on the LM, with James Irwin and John Bull. The purpose of the tests was to verify the spacecraft were capable of operating in the vacuum of space, under the temperatures and lighting conditions that would be experienced during an Apollo space flight. The circular overhead docking hatch/tunnel access is visible. The two blue objects are protective coverings over the hand controllers.

Credit: collectSPACE website, member "tr", at:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/000742.html

Also:

ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19740012430...

Excellent summation of the purpose and pertinent specifics of the 2TV-1 "spacecraft/mission":

www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/roundups/issues/68-06-21.pdf

And multiple excellent photos here:

archive.org/search.php?query=2TV-1

Interior view of the 2TV-1 Command Module, ca. 1968. The Apollo 2TV-1 "mission" involved the crew of Joe Kerwin, Vance Brand, and Joe Engle staying in the CSM test spacecraft (2TV-1) for 177 hours while the spacecraft was in a large vacuum chamber in Houston. A similar test (LTA-8) was run on the LM, with James Irwin and John Bull. The purpose of the tests was to verify the spacecraft were capable of operating in the vacuum of space, under the temperatures and lighting conditions that would be experienced during an Apollo space flight. Note that the center couch has been removed in order to provide some freedom of movement not otherwise possible under earth's onerous gravity. The two blue objects are protective coverings over the hand controllers.

Credit: collectSPACE website, member "tr", at:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/000742.html

Also:

ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19740012430...

Excellent summation of the purpose and pertinent specifics of the 2TV-1 "spacecraft/mission":

www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/roundups/issues/68-06-21.pdf

And multiple excellent photos here:

archive.org/search.php?query=2TV-1

“Only direct reference to the rugged surface of the moon the LM astronauts have is furnished by their Ryan Landing Radar. Landmarks pass rapidly beneath, small craters appear everywhere. Familiar reference – like a house or a highway – is not to be seen. The radar continuously feeds accurate measurements of true altitude and forward or lateral velocity to the astronaut’s cockpit displays.”

Exquisite artist’s concept, courtesy the irrepressible Robert Watts, as part of an Apollo 10 'Souvenir Portfolio' on the Lunar Module's Ryan Aeronautical-manufactured landing radar.

8.5" x 11", fine pebble-grain finish.

Hmm. Timing, appearance...coincidence? I think not. But this kind of shit is rampant. Nowadays, common courtesy is apparently optional:

elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/ryan-lm-rog...

Interior view of the 2TV-1 Command Module, ca. 1968. The Apollo 2TV-1 "mission" involved the crew of Joe Kerwin, Vance Brand, and Joe Engle staying in the CSM test spacecraft (2TV-1) for 177 hours while the spacecraft was in a large vacuum chamber in Houston. A similar test (LTA-8) was run on the LM, with James Irwin and John Bull. The purpose of the tests was to verify the spacecraft were capable of operating in the vacuum of space, under the temperatures and lighting conditions that would be experienced during an Apollo space flight. Note that the center couch has been removed in order to provide some freedom of movement not otherwise possible under earth's onerous gravity.

Credit: collectSPACE website, member "tr", at:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/000742.html

Also:

ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19740012430...

Excellent summation of the purpose and pertinent specifics of the 2TV-1 "spacecraft/mission":

www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/roundups/issues/68-06-21.pdf

And multiple excellent photos here:

archive.org/search.php?query=2TV-1

Interior view of the 2TV-1 Command Module, ca. 1968. The Apollo 2TV-1 "mission" involved the crew of Joe Kerwin, Vance Brand, and Joe Engle staying in the CSM test spacecraft (2TV-1) for 177 hours while the spacecraft was in a large vacuum chamber in Houston. A similar test (LTA-8) was run on the LM, with James Irwin and John Bull. The purpose of the tests was to verify the spacecraft were capable of operating in the vacuum of space, under the temperatures and lighting conditions that would be experienced during an Apollo space flight.

Credit: collectSPACE website, member "tr", at:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/000742.html

Also:

ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19740012430...

Excellent summation of the purpose and pertinent specifics of the 2TV-1 "spacecraft/mission":

www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/roundups/issues/68-06-21.pdf

And multiple excellent photos here:

archive.org/search.php?query=2TV-1

Preflight photo: Apollo 6 Command Module 020 interior, Main Display Console (right side).

And, as always, excellent reading/info at:

www.drewexmachina.com/2018/04/04/apollo-6-the-saturn-v-th...
Credit: Drew Ex Machina website/Andrew LePage

Excellent in-flight footage...of the same general area (from a different perspective):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvCMJLjqD8o
Credit: Hidden Below

Preflight photo: Apollo 6 Command Module 020 interior, Main Display Console (center).

And, as always, excellent reading/info at:

www.drewexmachina.com/2018/04/04/apollo-6-the-saturn-v-th...
Credit: Drew Ex Machina website/Andrew LePage

Preflight photo: Apollo 6 Command Module 020 interior, Main Display Console (left side).

Panel 14 houses the Block I Apollo DSKY Interface:

airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/keyboard-display-ds...

At the risk of being repetitive, yet another fantastic site which merits anyone's perusal:

www.americanspacecraft.com/pages/apollo/A-6.html

Cool - very cool.

And, as always, excellent reading/info at:

www.drewexmachina.com/2018/04/04/apollo-6-the-saturn-v-th...
Credit: Drew Ex Machina website/Andrew LePage

Finally, although for Apollo 4, I wonder how much is applicable:

heroicrelics.org/info/apollo-4/apollo-4-ctrl-panel.html
Credit: Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org

Apollo Command Module main display console from a simulator

Apollo Command Module main display console from a simulator

Apollo Command Module main display console from a simulator

Apollo Command Module main display console from a simulator