AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Frank O’Brien Infoage Science/History Learning Center

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Necessary Background Overview of Saturn V Instrument Unit Apollo Guidance Computer / DAP Flight controls in the Apollo CM Abort Boundaries Saturn V takeover options Crew Simulator Experience

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Instrument Unit IU being lowered on top of S-IVB All components located along inside wall of IU

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Saturn Instrument Unit All booster guidance and control Platform: 3-axis stabilized, ST-124M Launch Vehicle Digital Computer –Single thread programming –“Time Bases” define mission phases –Triply Redundant –32Kx28 bits, serial bus, 82us add time

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Apollo CM Flight Controls Apollo Guidance Computer –DSKY –P11: Boost Monitor –Digital Autopilot Flight Director Attitude Indicator Main Console Switches Rotational Hand Controller

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Apollo Guidance Computer Fully multiprogramming, interrupt driven Primary G&C interface Intuitive user interface –Verb-Noun communication language Verbs: Action to be taken Nouns: Data to be acted on by Verb Boost Monitor: Program 11

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Display and Keyboard (DSKY)

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center AGC Digital Autopilot Fully implemented in software DAP runs continuously in background Input parameters –Spacecraft configuration, weight –Attitude deadband –RCS Jet preferences Takeover configuration preloaded

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center AGC Program 11 Independently monitors boost phase Calculates attitude errors –Displayed on FDAI error needles Displays velocity, altitude and H-dot Optionally displays orbital parameters (!) Is able to assume Saturn V takeover

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Flight Director Attitude Indicator Primary spacecraft attitude indicator Modeled after traditional “8-ball” 4” ball with attitude markings Attitude error needles across face –Not unlike pilot’s ILS needles Rotational rate pointer along sides

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Flight Director Attitude Indicator

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Apollo CM Console Switches

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Apollo CM Console Switches

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Boost Monitor Cue Card

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Saturn V Takeover LV Guidance light –LVDC detects an unrecoverable error LV Rate light –Excessive launch vehicle rates Pitch, Yaw > 5 deg/sec, Roll > 20 deg/sec Note: Abort region varies –T-0 -> T+120 sec - Pitch, yaw: 4 deg/sec –Remainder of boost - Pitch, yaw: 9 deg/sec

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Takeover Options (1) LVDC failure during Open Loop guidance –Abort! (Automatic) –No Time-Tilt routine in AGC –No means to stage S-1C/S-II –Simulator experience Bending, sloshing, shear difficult to control –Insufficient control authority for gimbal hardover

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Takeover Options (2) Much easier in Closed Loop guidance LV Guidance light –Switch to CMC from IU control –Manual S-II / S-IVB staging required LV Rate light –Usually with LV Guid light –Possibly gimbal hardover or LVDC failure –DSKY Verb 46 to enable manual control

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Manual Control Complications Saturn V is hardly a rigid body Bending Moment –Flexible structure, especially S-1C –Manual control authority during Time Base 1 and 2 may exceed max bending moment Propellant Sloshing –Significant for S-1C LOX & RP-1, S-II LOX Aerodynamics / wind shear

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Simulation of Manual Control High-fidelity simulator built at Ames Performance criteria (earth orbit) –Delta H1 Nautical Mile –Delta H-dot45 feet/sec –Delta V10 Feet/sec Simulated performance well within criteria!

AGC and Manual Control of the Saturn V Booster Infoage Science/History Learning Center Backup (NASA NTRS) AC Delco Apollo 15 G&C manual AS-503 Flight Manual Astronics Systems of Saturn LV’s Astronics Systems Handbook/Saturn LV Description of Saturn G&C Saturn 1B / V Astronics systems Saturn V Manual Guidance Saturn V LVDC Description Apollo CSM Operations Handbook, Vol. 1