apollo 7 tv memos - honeysuckle creek tracking station · gsa fpm r (41 cfr) 101-11.* united states...
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tTIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE .W a s h i n g t o n , D.C. 2054C
Apr 12 3 13 PM *68
.MINISTRATION ^ ^
i n i i r r i .v n t r r m o : M A O A p r i l 10, 1968
TO M a n a g e r , Apollo S p a c e c r a f t P r o g r a m Code P AM an n ed S p a c e c r a f t C e n t e r H o u s to n , T e x a s 77058
F R O M : M A / D i r c c t o r , Apollo P r o g r a m , Off ice of M a n n e d S p ace F l ig h t
S U B J E C T : Apollo O n - B o a r d TV
T h e p u r p o s e of th is l e t t e r i s to c o n f i r m o u r d i s c u s s i o n s c o n c e r n i n g tho r e q u i r e m e n t fo r o n - b o a r d TV in Apollo c o m m a n d m o d u l e s . It h a s b een d e t e r m i n e d th a t a TV c a m e r a wil l he c a r r i e d in c o m m a n d m o d u le 101 on the f i r s t A po l lo m a n n e d f l ight .
I n c o r p o r a t i o n and u s e of the TV c a m e r a in CM 101 should c o n f o r m with the fo l lowing g ro u n d r u l e s :
a . I n s t a l l a t i o n of tho TV c a m e r a and a s s o c i a t e d h a r d w a r e wil l be a c c o m p l i s h e d at KSC with no i m p a c t on l a u n c h s c h e d u le .
b. T h e c a m e r a wil l be s towed d u r in g the l a u n c h p h a s e .
c . A m o u n t in g b r a c k e t fo r the c a m e r a will be p r o v id e d in the CM to p e r m i t s i m u l t a n e o u s v ie w in g of al l t h r e e c r e w couch a s s e m b l i e s , fo r u s e in m o n i t o r i n g p r e - l a u n c h h a z a r d o u s t e s t s , and in - f l i g h t .
d. T h e c a m e r a will be c a p a b le of be ing h a n d - h e l d fo r v ie w in g o u t s id e tho CM d u r i n g f l ight .
c . U se of (lie c a m e r a w i l l not be s p e c i f i e d on the a s t r o n a u t ' s f l igh t p lann ing t i m e l i n e of e s s e n t i a l a c t i v i t i e s but will be i n c o r p o r a t e d in the m i s s i o n a s t i m e and o p p o r tu n i ty p e r m i t .
When your p l a n s fo r e m p l o y m e n t of the TV c a m e r a on th i s m i s s i o n a r c s u f f i c i e n t ly f i r m , 1 would l ike to r e v i e w t h e m witji you. In the m e a n t im e . , C ap t . H o lco m b , of m y s ta f f , wil l be a v a i l a b l e fo r c o o r d i n a t i o n of any p r o g r a m l e v e l i n v o l v e m e n t in de ta i l p la n n in g . I t shou ld be noted th a t TV c o v e r a g e on th i s f l igh t i s e x p e c t e d to p r o v id e i n f o r m a t i o n which w il l a s s i s t in e v a l u a t i o n of the p o t e n t i a l u s e f u l n e s s of TV on f u tu r e m i s s i o n s .
S a m u e l C. P h i l l i p s ^ M a j o r G e n e r a l , USAF
c c : K S C / M i d d l e t o n
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cc: HO/f'itcvensonM-M/AJ. ibrando MO/IVaJ \MAn/Wajjncr MAP/Kktujys, Roth MAT/I)ay T/Truszynski HSC/Slayton (CA)MSC/Kraft (FA)
(/MSC/Maynonl (I’D)MSC/Hanoy (AR)MSC/Fa(;ct (FA) KSC/Boddingfiold (AP-SCO)
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FROM :
s u b j e c t :
ornnriM r o i iM n o . to*4*V **MVi*SV(at Atc) IiOMI*UNITED STATES GOV. .NMENT
Memorandum ^' A - y A / tC / r / ^ '
FA/Director of Flight Operations ('■tbKYV.\ MAY 8 1868
AP/Public Affairs Officer ^
Apollo Onboard TV for AS-205/CM10/ ^ ^ ^
With regard to our several discussions and Henry Earl Leech's memo on the subject, this office recommends that we prepare for at least one "live1* or active TV stateside pass per day. We would also recommend, using the options outlined by Leech, Option 2, that is to send one of the MSC con verters, whichever seems technically advisable, to the Corpus station for real-time conversion of the signal received.
Corpus and the Cape would give us on an ideal pass something on the order of perhaps 10 to 12 minutes of signal, as you have pointed out.
I understand from the Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program that the Flight Crew Operations Directorate has been asked to plan the use of the TV camera. If we are all agreed On the proposed Corpus/Cape lash-up with Houston release, it should facilitate FCOD planning inasmuch as fairly well known light conditions will be identifiable, as well as crew activi ties. It is my recollection that that Directorate had done considerable planning toward the use of a TV camera for the 20h crew and we feel much of that planning would be applicable to this mission.
Please advise us of your decision in this matter as soon as possible.
cc:CA/Mr. Slayton PA/Mr. Low AP3/Mr. Gibbons
AP:PHaney:cm 5/8/68
/
DATE RECEIVED.. s J~ / 3 ~ d rf s o
! ■ iACTION...... ..............INFORMATION__ I_____ ___
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION manned spacecraft center
Ho u s t o n , Tex as 77058
IN REPLY REFER TO: FS
vUN 8 1383
TO Goddard Space Flight Center Attention: Tecwyn N« Roberts, 810
FROM : Chief, Flight Support Division
SUBJECT: Apollo Onboard TV Support
In compliance with a letter received from the Director, Apollo Program, Office of Manned Space Flight, MSC is preparing plans to provide real time TV support for the AS-205/CM 101 flight. The PAO requirements have been outlined in a letter from the Public Affairs Officer, subject: Apollo Onboard TV for AS-205/CM 101, dated May 8, 1968,
This is to confirm the use of the MSFN Texas site at Corpus Christi for support of the AS-205/CM 101 onboard TV. A scan converter will be provided on loan from the MSC Engineering and Development Directorate for this purpose. Mr. Lee Scamp, 713-4-83-2301, is designated as the Flight Support Division point of contact for additional information concerning the move ment and interface of the scan converter.
In order to provide the required real time TV coverage from KSC it will be necessary to develop a workable interface between MILA and the MS0B or to move the KSC scan converter to the MILA USB site. Please coordinate with KSC on this matter and notify FSD of the proposed action.
cc:KSC/R. Snith, AP-SCO-1
June 5, 1953Mr. Carl Knox, Head Requirements Section
Read, Digital Systems Section
PSRD Addition
Request necessary action be taken to add the following items to therespective PSRD:
1. Apollo Saturn V PSRD
a. Pago 2730.27 - show one (1) simplex TV circuit from the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) to MIL station, with reference to page 2750.7. Under rem arks add: Bridge of scan converted picture at CDSC to MIL for recording and monitoring.
b. Page 2760.7 - add item described above as appropriate with necessary rem ark.
2. Apollo Saturn IB PSRD
a. Page 2030.12 - show one (1) simplex TV circuit from MSOB to MIL station, with reference to page 2040.16. Under rem arks add: Bridge of scan converted picture at CDSC to MIL for recording and monitoring.
b. Page 2040.16 - add item described abobe as appropriate with necessary rem ark.
3. Attached Is a diagram depicting the added circuit for informationpurposes and as an aid in making the PSRD change.
DJR:gC:822
Earl N. Dunn
O PT IO N A L FO R M NO. 10MAY 1 * 2 EDITIONG SA F P M R (41 C F R ) 101-11.*
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MemorandumTO :Carl B. Knox, Head DATE: June 13, 1968
Requirements Section Manned Flight Operations Division
FROM :Head, Timing and Display Section Digital Data Systems Branch Manned Flight Engineering Division
SUBJECT:Apollo Slow Scan Television Interface Test
Please include the attached test information in the form of an LSR
and also include this information as a PSRD for future missions beginning
with AS-205.
Attachment
812:RJH:amh
cc: D. Dalton, Code 812
9 0 1 0 - 10*
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
Slow Scan Television Interface Test
TEST DESCRIPTION
This test is designed to demonstrate the capability of the present slow scan television link between GMIL/USB and KSC/MSOB. The quality and capability of the A2A communication line to be used will be determined.
All GMIL/USB equipment associated with slow scan television will be used.
Two A2A lines will be used. One line for slow scan television transmission to KSC/MSOB from GMIL/USB and a separate line for converted television (commercial rates) transmission back to GMIL/USB. The A2A line for slow scan television from GMIL/USB to KSC/MSOB should be the same line to be used during missions.
The slow scan converter and associated equipment will be utilized at KSC/MSOB.
This test is an end to end check out of television at the GMIL-KSC complex. Signals will be monitored and recorded at both locations.
TEST DURATION AND FREQUENCY
This test will be scheduled for each mission using slow scan television and associated communication lines. It will run for approximately three days. This test will be run at approximately T-70 days.
ROUTE SHEET
CODE
812
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BLDG.
ROOM
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NAME
Rav Hlbbs
_Carl Knox.
P U R POSE* IN ITIALS
Std a t e
REMARKS
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* PURPOSES
1. FOR INFORMATION2. FOR APPROVAL3. PREPARE REPLY4. PREPARE ENDORSEMENT5. FOR NECESSARY ACTION6. FOR SIGNATURE7. RETAIN ENCLOSURES8. RETAIN COPY
MAIL ROOM USE O N L Y
S O U R C E /S E N D E R
S U B JE C T
ID E N T . SYMBOL & DATE
Apollo Slow Scan Television Interface Test
FORWARDED BY DATE FORWARDED
EXT . CO DE BLDG.
G S F C 11 -2 0 (1 0 /6 4 1
TO: Manned Spacecraft CenterAttention: 1) Office of the Director - Dr. Robert R. Gilruth - AA
2) Flight Support Division - Lynwood C. Dunseith - FS
FROM: Manned Flight Support DirectorateManned Flight Engineering Division
Subject: Apollo Onboard Television (TV) Support
Reference: Memorandum of June 3, 1968, Lynwood C. Dunseith, Manned SpacecraftCenter, to Tecwyn Roberts, Goddard Space Flight Center, same subject
Please be advised that real-time TV coverage from the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) will be accomplished by interfacing Merritt Island Launch Area/Unified S-Band (MIL/USB) and KSC/Manned Support Operations Branch (MSOB) with an A2A communication line. A separate return line will also be provided to MIL/USB for monitoring the converted (commercial rate) TV signal.
We feel that it is imperative that a Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) man be with the Houston Scan Converter vriienever it is in operation at the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN), Corpus Chrlsti, Texas site.
Mr. Richard Nafzger and Mr. Raymond Hibbs, of Manned Flight Engineering Division (MFED), Code 812, phone 301-982-7393, are designated as the MFED points of contact for additional information concerning this matter.
Original Signed b\Tecwyn Koberts
Tecwyn Roberts Chief
812/RLN:amh/6-18-68
cc: Dr. Naugle - NASA Hq. (S)William B. Easter - GSF-L
MANNED SPACECRAFT CENTER Ho u s t o n , Texas 77058
JUL s 1953
JUL 2 1988IN REPLY REFER TO: FS
TO NASA HeadquartersAttention: Lt. General Samuel C, Phillips, MA
FROM : Director of Flight Operations
SUBJECT: Apollo Onboard TV
Reference is made to your letter of April 12, 1968, and to a letter from the Flight Support Division of this Directorate to Mr. Tecwyn Roberts of GSFC, dated June 3, 1968, both on the subject of Apollo Onboard TV. Our planning for the support and use of the onboard TV is as follows:
An analog scan converter, obtained on loan from the Engineering and Development Directorate (E&D), MSC, will be moved to the Texas USB site at Corpus Christi. This, and a similar unit already in the MSOB at KSC, will provide real time scan conversion of the TV signal prior to trans mission over standard telephone company video lines to MSC. In addition, the TV signal will be recorded during passes over these and other MSFN sites for later playback and scan conversion at MSC, using a second E&D converter (the digital unit developed by ISD).
Approximately four to six weeks will be required for limited refurbish ing of the scan converters and provisioning of some critical spares.GSFC plans to send one man from the Texas site to MSC during this period for on-the-job training. It is understood that E&D plans, if possible, to furnish one technically qualified individual to accompany the scan converter to the Texas site to assist in establishing the interface and in the actual mission operations. Arrangements have already been made with the telephone company for a microwave link between the Texas site and Corpus Christi. At KSC a landline or microwave link will be installed between the scan converter location in the MSOB and the MILA USB site.
The Public Affairs Office at MSC will coordinate directly with the Flight Crew Operations Directorate in planning the use of the onboard
2
TV, as to the timing and subject matter. Mr. Paul Haney will correspond with you at a later date concerning the details of the flight plan and the editing activities.
Original signal} by CHBISTOBiSS C. JR.Christopher C0 Kraft, Jr.
cc:KSC/R. 0. Middleton, AP GSFC/Oe M. Covington, 800
Television System Test Plan
For AS-205
1. Scope
This document is a proposed test plan to be utilized as a general
guideline in the preparation of a more detailed set of test procedures
for the qualification of the television system for use in ground support
of the AS-205 mission. Since the complete system requires the operational
integration of equipment over which GSFC, KSC, and MSC maintain cognizance,
NASA and supporting contractor engineering personnel from these centers
will be required to coordinate the preparation and conduct of the tests.
2. Purpose
Since a significant proportion of the equipment to be used in the
television system is of a prototype nature it is mandatory to conduct a
complete system ring-out prior to the actual use of the system in support
of a manned flight. In addition, the tests will give PAO personnel an
opportunity to observe the quality of video which can be expected from
orbital altitudes and will provide operating personnel with valuable
training in the procedures and coordination required during the actual
mission.
3. Test Conditions
a. Thu television system to be tested consists of subsystems located
at the Corpus Christi, Texas, and Merritt Island, Florida^ remote
sites of the MSFN, the KSC Mission Support Operations Building (MSOB),
and the Mission Control Center (MCC) at Houston, Texas. The system
also includes the leased lines from KSC and the Texas site to MSC.
Test equipment will include oscilloscopes, waveform monitors, and
video monitors, with cameras, in the various areas.
b. The primary test conductors will be as follows:
N A M E ___________ ORGANIZATION___________________________ TELEPHONE
Richard Nafzger GSFC/Manned Flight Engineering Div. 301-982-2646
Lee C. Scamp MSC/Flight Support Division 712-4.83-2301
T M ' P& v < HTop KSC/ *!Yj * «. i y -
c. The test will be conducted in four separate phases, as outlined
in subsequent paragraphs. This is necessitated by the amount of
coordination involved and the cost of calling up the leased lines prior
to the normal pre-mission check-out period. Since there is a certain
degree of overlap between the phases, a simultaneous exercise of all
the subsystems is not required, and the complete system will thus be
checked out prior to its mission use. Phases 3 and 4 may be combined
if the situation permits.
d. The four test phases are tentatively scheduled within the time
frames shown below/j It must be emphasized that, since the tests depend
upon so many interrelated contingencies, the actual time of testing must
remain flexible, and the time frames them3elve are subject to change.
2
TEST PHASE LOCATION TIME FRAME
1 TEX August 15-17
2 m i l /ksc
3 tex/msc October 1-2
4 m i l /ksc/msc October 3-4-
3
e. The test will be considered successful if the signal at the
output of the scan converter, as viewed on a waveform monitor, maintains
the required video and sync relationships for the duration of the run and
the video, as viewed on a standard monitor, is of acceptable quality.
This monitoring will be accomplished at MSC in Phases 3 and A. All
tapes which are produced will be retained for use in later test phases
or for review at a later date.
The test results will be published for the benefit of all parties
concerned as soon after the completion of the entire test as possible.
Since a rather lengthy time frame is involved, the preliminary results
of each phase will be distributed in draft form upon completion of that
phase.
U, Test Description
a. Phase I-Texas Site Checkout
The purpose of this phase of the test is to verify the integrated
operation of all equipment in the television subsystem at
site. The equipment configuration is shown in Figure 1. The subsystem»
includes equipment normally associated with data handling, as opposed to
video, and the prototype scan converter on loan from the Instrumentation
and Electronics Division of MSC. In addition, the microwave link between
the site and Corpus Christi will be checked out, if it is available for
/i nominal cost at the time of the te3t.
A NASA aircraft, flying along a nominal spacecraft ground track, will
be utilized as a TV transmitter base for the Block I camera. The signal
the/remote
uwhich is received by the USB antenna/receiver will be demodulated,
filtered, simultaneously recorded and converted to EIA format, and
possibly transmitted via microwave link to Corpus Christi.
b. Phase 2-MILA/KSC Interface Test
The purpose of this phase of the test is to verify a proposed FM
carrier interface between MILA and the MSOB and to checkout the operation
of the KSC scan converter in conjunction with the MILA USB equipment.
The configuration shall be as shown in Figure 2. In addition to the
equipment outlined in the Phase 1 test, a voltage controlled oscillator
and discriminator will be utilized to provide a carrier frequency for
transmitting the unconverted signal from MILA to the MSOB. The procedure
will bo essentially the same as that outlined for the Texas site, except
that the TV camera will not be carried in an aircraft. The camera output
will be introduced directly into the parametric amplifier.
c. Phase 3-Texas/MSC Transmission Test
The purpose of this test is to checl^out the transmission link
between the Texas site and the MCC and to verify the MSC video distribution?
procedures and equipment. A slow scan tape will be replayed at the site,
converted and transmitted by microwave link to the commercial TV facilities
in Corpus Christi. From there the signal will be relayed along the
standard telephone company lines to MCC, where it will be taped and
distributed, as planned for real time operationa.
d. Phase 4—MILA/KSC/MSC Transmission Test
5
The purpose of this test is to check out the transmission
link between KSC and MSC and also to provide additional verification
of the MILA/KSC interface and the MSC video distribution subsystem
and procedures. If possible, the camera and transmitter in the
spacecraft will be used to provide the required video input to the
MILA USB system. If this proves unfeasible, a slow scan tape will
be played back at the site. In either case, the signal will be
transmitted to the MSGB, where the scan conversion is accomplished,
and the resultant standard format TV signal will then be fed into the
commercial channels for transmission to MSC.
OPTIONAL. FO R M NO. 10M AY 10*2 ED ITIO NC S A F P M R (41 C F R ) 101-11.E
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MemorandumTO : Ray Hibbs, Code 812.2 d a t e : September 12, 1968
f r o m : Office of Public Affairs
s u b j e c t : Apollo Slow Scan TV Monitor to be Located at the MILA Site - Request For
Per attachments, find justification for locating slow scan Apollo spacecraft TV monitor at earliest possible date.
M S A Headquarters requirement for still pictures from the subject monitor via 70mm camera mounted on monitor will be source of required pictures.
Still pictures will be processed ASAP at the Cape Kennedy photo labs and released to the press by M S A Headquarters Audio-Visual Coordinator, Les Gaver. Mr. Coletto, GSFC, will assist in acquiring pictures at MILA site.
Attachments:(1) Page #9 Apollo 7 Public Information Plan(2) Page #21 Apollo 7 Public Information Plan(3) Prior telecons with John Dowling, Station Director,
MILA MSFN Unified S-Band Site
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0 ;c\ look FLkn — A Public Affairs quick look film, 16mm color sound, will ils produced on the Apollo 7 mission by MSC for Headquarters. Immediate prelaunch ar.d launch footage should be delivered by KSC to the MSC filn courier at T plus 2H-3S hours and the quick look filn should be completed and delivered to FAO/CMSF by recovery plus 72-120 hours.
Camera Positions
Except for astronaut preparation. Complex 3 - and Mission Control Center- Houston activities which will be covered by NASA photographers, all other photography at KSC and MSC will be open at predesignated sites.
Positions available to all news photographers for launch at KSC are:
1. Press Site $2Op£*d ~2T Roof of USAF Vertical Integration Building [ijj "fv/ O C
>oS «t »»*»•> 3. Roof of Central ControlConrolex 36 — - A/fV "5 ©*» S AfcT*/ H'pfl'V
Roadblock on Impact Prediction Road
There will also be open shooting of astronaut departure from the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building and arrival of astronauts at the Skid Strip following recovery.
Photograpny aboard the prime recovery ship will be pooled and processed by i.ASA at KSC except for AP and UPI which will process and distribute their photography to their own clients.
Special remote cameras will be installed by NASA at the request of the photographic media wherever possible with the film to be processed by NASA and distributed to all photographic news media.
Television
The television-networks plan to cover the Apollo 7 xaission in depth including live coverage of liftoff, significant mission events, onboard television and, possibly, recovery.
At KSC, NASA will provide to the television pool a 12 by one svitched feed from operational television cameras at Complex 3^, a continuous feed from the Complex 3^ white room, a feed from the IGOR tracking camera and a feed from the NASA color unit to be located on top of the USAF Vertical Integration Building. The networks will locate cameras at MSOB, Bioastronautics Operational Support Unit, Auditorium and News Center end USAF Television Operations Center.
At MSC, NASA will provide a scan converted signal from the onboard television camera. A 227 TV line signal scanned at 10 frames a second will ^ r e c e i v e d at the MIIA and Texas sites, scap converted to commercial TV format, fed by hardline to MCC-H for realtime transmission to the television
>;slter Ee-ving (KQ) Still photo editor
1/illinm Taub (HQ) * Prime photographer
Ed Heirisen KSC audio visual coordinator
' George Coletto (GSFC) USB site still photos; assist audio visual J coordinators ---- ^
G&tha F. Cottee Communicators coordinator
Col* Jones Smith (AFETR) & DOD Manned Space Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Ron Peck (AFETR) ^ AFETR communications coordinator
C - e i c e R .
/ DOD representative
DOD recovery force representativesHenry D. Morrow VT, <? . frftV&U*__iJS- VJL
Ruth Ann MacLean (B5.)
4L ---------- ----------------------------
OMSF Secretary
Sandy Smith (EQ) Audio visual secretary
Diana Boles News Center secretary
Dsrleen HuntDottie Ellingson (APETR)
Accreditation
Rosemary Rowland Sharon Warner Linda Williams Candace Singletary
2-IA.NNED SPACECRAFT CENTER
News Center
Secretarial support
Howard Gibbons News Center manager (first shift)
John McLeaish News Center manager (second shift)
Hilton Rein Terry White Douglas Ward Robert Gordon Robert Workman
Information specialists
Curtis Hunt (MSFC) launch vehicle information
Carl R. Hart Audio visual coordinator
*Wiil depart KSC for prime recovery ship after launch.