The Apollo 15 mission began 50 years ago, on July 26, 1971, with a revival of space exploration. We take a look at the expedition that saw new challenges in space conquest, from the time astronauts spent on the lunar surface to the use of the first LRV lunar vehicle.
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In September 1970, NASA announced the closure of Apollo-program on 17NS Mission for budgetary reasons. A real setback for space exploration, which will benefit US agency researchers. Less than a year later, on July 26, 1971, the mission began Apollo 15 launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Onboard Command and Service Module (CSM), Alfred M Worden, Jacobus B. Irwin and David R. Scott are on a mission that should mark another milestone in the lunar exploration program.
The Apollo 15 landing site was recreated from images collected by the LRO probe (maanverkenningsvoertuig). © NASA
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New gear, new goals
of astronauts Americans are sent to terrestrial Thanks to an improved version of Saturn V launch vehicle.. The latter is able to bear a higher load, with Pulp 48 tons, NASA engineers want to improve the few Apollo missions to be carried out. Scott and Irwin spend a lot more time on the moon than he does Apollo 11 at 12. In 1969, Aldrin en Armstrong He spent more than 21 hours on the moon floor, and about 31 hours Pete Conrad and Alan Bean After a few months. In this effective third expeditionary mission he was: Expensive On the moon… 67 hours.
A greeting from NASA for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission ©NASA
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CSM is equipped with new tools, but only one will attract the attention of the media: the first rover Moon (LRV). Folded under the LEM during transit to the Earth satellite, this small three-meter spacecraft allows astronauts to expand their exploration area by several kilometers. The all-terrain rover can reach a speed of approximately 14 km/h and carry a load of up to 490 kg.
After four days of travel, the lunar module separates from Endeavor and begins its descent. The landing took place without incident near Mount Hadley and a mistake of the same name.
One has to explore. This is exploration at its peak
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From the early hours of their lunar adventure, Irwin and Scott have deployed the LRV, as well as many of the tools needed for the scientific work the two astronauts will perform. Scott will split the prepared sentence, such as Neil Armstrong two years ago: ” As I stand here in Hadley before the wonders of the unknown, I realize that there is a fundamental truth that characterizes our nature. One has to explore. This is exploration at its peak. »
In three explorations made with the rover, the two astronauts covered nearly 28 kilometers from the road. Various drilling operations are being conducted at various locations around Mount Hadley and the Hadley Delta. From the first day of the expedition they installed Alsep (for Apollo Lunar Experiment Pack). This set of tools consists of: spectrometer, camera or altimeter, which will be used until 1977. So far, Alsep has made it possible for the world to bear witness to the existence of magnetic fields Weak on the surface of the moon to study surface thermal fluctuations or to conduct seismic surveys. Many experiments will be conducted, including the famous hammer – falling feathers, where Commander Scott will test a file gravity Lunar by dropping a hammer and a feather onto the same plane, while the two bodies reach Earth at the same time.
Hammer and Pen Test, conducted by David Scott. © NASA
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After spending almost three days on to the moonThe astronauts aboard the LEM returned to rejoin the console, where Alfred Worden made several observations of the lunar surface with cameras and spectrometers. The astronauts’ return to Earth goes smoothly and they landed on August 7, 1971 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii. They brought nearly 77 kilograms of moon rocks, the oldest of which were found, Genesis Rock Or the “Generation Stone”, 4 billion years old.
Although the end Apollo-program In 1972 that is 15NS The mission determines the dominance of NASA and the United States in the space race. The technological prowess and value of the scientific research conducted during the expedition continues, 50 years later, to be a real big hit.
