rIH[llnevvs release o _KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FLORIDA ERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION RELEASE NO" KSC-1-68 II FOR RELEASE: Immediate January3, 1968 APOLLO/SATURN2 04 UNDERGOESPREFLIGHT TESTS KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Apollo/Saturn 204 launch vehicle, toppedby the first flight-ready Lunar Module, is undergoingmajor prelaunchtests in preparationfor the unmannedApollo 5 mission, scheduledto take place no earlier than January 18. A combinedKSC-contractor launch teamconducts the checkout, headedby Launch Director Rocco Petroneand Launch Operations ManagerPaul Donnelly. Similar to the Lunar Module configuration that eventually will ferry Apollo astronauts to and from the moon's surface, LM-1 will be launchedfrom CapeKennedy's Complex37 into a near-earth orbit. The upratedSaturn 1 and its LM-1 Grumman-builtpayload underwenttests that verified compatibility betweenspace vehicle electrical and mechanicalsystems, Complex37 groundsupport equipmentand the Air Force Eastern Test Range. The space vehicle recordedsimulated prelaunchactivities through in-fl ight milestones, while on both external power(plugs-in) and internal power(plugs-out). A third major highlight, the Flight ReadinessTest, was conductedas an all- systemsverification of the total spacevehicle, paving the way for hypergolics to be loadedaboardthe spacecraft and launch vehicle upperstage. Additional testing will continue throughto about six days before liftoff, when the CountdownDemonstrationTest begins. The CDDT is a dress rehearsal for the actual launch countdown, which gets underwayafter a 32-hour recycle. - more - PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, COCOA BEACH - 783-7781, KSC - 867-2467 _ KSC-1-68 -2- Duringthe nine-hour flight, the LM's ascent and descent stage engines will be fired twice, an abort simulated and all other on-board systemsthoroughly monitored. The LM will deploy from its adapterat approximately T plus 50 minutes, and the descent engine will be burnedthe first time some3 1/2 hours after liftoff. During an actual mannedlunar landing, the astronautswould fire the LM's descent stage engine to powertheir gradual descent to the moon's surface, and would activate the ascent stage engine for rendezvousingand docking with the commandmodule in lunar orbit. A LM abort would take place during a real lunar flight if the two-man crew decided to return to the orbiting command module before descending to the moon's surface. They would perform this maneuver by firing the LM's ascent stage engine, which will pull that stage away from the descent stage. Engineers on the ground will send a radio signal to the orbiting LM-1 to initiate the simulated abort, and will monitor its planned separation. One of the most critical systems that must be checked and maintained prior to launch is the LM's environmental control system, according to Larry Cervellino, special assistant to GrummanAircraft's project manager at the Spaceport, George Skurla. Spacecraft temperature must be maintained on the ground, according to Cervellino, so that the ECS does not overheat during liftoff and orbital insertion. Once in orbit, a heat exchanger takes over to sustain a 75-degree temperature. The first LM flight follows nearly five years' research and development. The design was conceived years before the Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor spacecraft returned hundreds of highly-detailed lunar photographs. LM-1 will be launched [rom Complex 37, last used more than 1 1/2 years ago for the Apollo/Saturn 203 mission. During the LM-1 preflight preparations, the Spaceport's probing Acceptance Checkout Equipment is automatically monitoring thousands of spacecraft systems, and radio linking these minute measurements from pad computers to data reduction and readout equipment at the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building. NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center is responsible for launch vehicle development. The Manned Space Flight Center has responsibility for the spacecraft. - more - KSC-I-68 .p The Apollo 5 spacevehicle stands about 181 feet, or some43 feet shorter than the standard uprated Saturn 1 space vehicle configuration. This height difference is due to the fact that the Apollo 5 launch vehicle will not betopped by the usual command-servicemodule. (The 32-thousand-pound LM and its adapterwill be capped by a protective covering which will detach following orbital insertion.) LM-1 does not contain an ablative heat shield and will burn up during reentry. It also will not be equippedwith the four landing pads similar to the type that eventually will be used for the mannedlunar touchdown. Key NASA launch personnelfor the upcomingmission include: Don Phillips, test supervisor; Bert Grenville, assistant test supervisor; GeneSestile, launch vehicle test conductor; andWilliam Criddle, spacecraft test conductor. Contractor stage and spacecraft test conductorsare: first stage: Ken Stewart, Chrysler; upperstage, John Latherow, Douglas; InstrumentUnit, Justin Hall and Donald Heins, International Business Machines and lunar module, James Harrington, Grumman. - end - RoSECSNCPN ENspCADMTFNLTADAsENOTcRE RELEAreSE lNO:eaKsSeC-2-68 FOR RELEASE: Immediate January 3), 1968 SEVERAL SPACEPORT FACILITIES COMPLETED DURING1967 KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Several major facilities at the Spaceportwere completedduring 1967. In the Industrial Areai additions were completedto the Flight CrewTraining Bui Iding, the Occupational Health Facility, the MannedSpacecraft Operations BuiIding, and the Heating Plant. The interim Visitor InformationCenterwas completed in July. The only major project still underconstruction in the Industrial Area is the addition to the HeadquartersBuilding. At Complex39, major construction projects included the press site, Pad B - the secondpad of Complex39-the Propellant Laboratory Complex, and the resurfacing of two parking lots. High Bay 2 in the Vehicle Assembly Bui Iding wherethe Apollo/ Saturn V spacecraft is assembled, and firing room 3 in the Launch Control Centerare being activated, f In addition, the Flight Crew Training Building, finished in July, now housesa secondApollo mission simulator, a documentationcenter, an operational area and storage space. Examinationrooms, laboratories and administrative offices were completedat the Occupational Health Facility in August, tripling the size of the facility. At the Manned SpacecraftOperations Building, a Lunar Module activation pro- ject involving the completion of a high pressuregas distribution system was completed in March. Additions and alterations were madeto the heating plant to accommodatea 16 million BTU boiler relocated from the VAB. The addition is essentially completeand will becomeoperational pendingtesting of the boiler. -more- PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, COCOA BEACH - 783-7781, KSC- 867-2467 KSC'2-68 -2- The interim Visitor Information Center opened to the public August 1, consists of two buildings connected by a covered portico. The VIC features free lectures, ex- hibits and films on space exploration and technology, and serves as a terminal for con- ducted bus tours of the Space Center. Two wings being built at each end of the Headquarters Building are 70 percent finished and will provide 120,000 square feet of engineering and administrative space for KSC personnel now working in trailer offices. The project is scheduled for com- pletion in March. At Complex 39, the press site for viewing Saturn V launches was completed in April and inaugurated November 9 for Apollo 4. In addition to a covered bleacher view- ing area, the site also includes a communications terminal building and parking areas for vans owned by news media organizations. Basic construction on Pad B at Launch Complex 39 was finished in September. Although there are about 20 minor activation tanks presently being worked on, major ground support equipment systems are complete and are being used in the checkout of Mobile Launcher .3. The Propellant Systems Components Laboratory Complex was finished in August. In includes a propellant components lab, operations building, gaseous nitrogen charging station, de-ionized water plant, propellant-transporter repair and maintenance facility, propel lant-trai let parking areas and storage facilities. Two parking lots located behind the VAB low bay area were upgraded in November to provide an all-weather surface. The parking lots accommodate about 900 cars. About 80 percent of the construction effort in High Bay 2 of the VAB is expected to be completed this year. Interior architectural work is generally finished, and instal- lation of moveable platforms will be 50 percent complete by the end of the year. Three high rise elevators were installed in September. Electrical and mechanical systems will be checked out early next year. Construction in Firing Room 3 of the LCC consists of installation of communications and operational television systems. -end- r..elec..,e SKENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA ERONAUTiCS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION I • RELEASE NO, KSC-4-68 FOR RELEASE: Immediate January4, 1968 NASA SECRETARY RECALLS TRAVEL WITH JFK KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - - A younglady who once served President John F. Kennedyhopesto be on handherewhenthe space age commitmenthe made becomesreality. In 1961, the late President committedthis nation to landing men on the moon. Onefor whomthis presidential proclamationwould have special meaningwas Antoinette E. Hickey. That year she was a memberof the delegation that accompaniedMr. Kennedy to a meetingwith Russian Premier Khrushchevin Vienna. Today, as secretary to Miles Ross, Deputy Director for Center Operations,