To the Moon and Back Lessons from the Apollo Space Program John Patrick Davis, MD Grand Rounds March 14 th, 2018
Disclosures None
Outline Geopolitical Climate Post World War II United States Culture Space Race Beginnings Apollo Program Equipment Strategy Objectives Missions Apollo 1 Unmanned Missions Manned Missions Notable Lessons Lessons
The Cold War Post World War II Demilitarization of Germany Disagreements among Allied Powers Cold War Tension between the US and Russia Containment of communism Korea Vietnam Space Race Smaller conflict of the Cold War Demonstration of technologic superiority
A New Frontier
The Journey Begins Mercury Successfully deliver a human into Earth orbit Test basic systems and human physiology Return human and spacecraft safely Gemini Testing guidance systems Maneuvers and conditions necessary for Apollo missions Apollo Land a man on the moon and study lunar surface
Apollo Spacecraft Command/Service Module Lunar Module
Apollo Spacecraft
Mission Control: The Human Element
Apollo 1 February, 1967 Preparation for Launch Crew Reservations Design flaws Lack of confidence from the crew Problems on the Pad Sour-smelling oxygen flow Communication issues Troubleshooting difficulties Fire in the Cockpit
Apollo 1 Aftermath Investigation Atmospheric Composition Hatch Design Flaws Flammable Materials Electrical Insulation Design Improvements Lower oxygen concentration Hatch redesign Improvements in flammable materials and electrical insulation Program-Wide Introspection
Apollo 1 Lessons What went wrong? Crew was uneasy Things were rushed How did the program address these problems? Significant Introspection All up Philosophy What can we as surgeons take from this? Self introspection Every step is important
On Screwing Up Look you know this is no problem and I know this is no problem. But if the battery screws up, I m going to say so. And if a tank screws up, I m going to say so. And if the crew screws up, I m going to say so. Fellows, these are just systems, and if you re not honest with yourself about what went wrong, you ain t gonna be able to fix anything. Arabian, Mission Evaluation - Don
Unmanned Missions Apollo 4 November, 1967 First unmanned flight First launch of Saturn V All Up testing Command module reentry Apollo 5 January, 1968 Lunar module engine tests Apollo 6 April, 1968 Goal to enter translunar injection Saturn V engine trouble Wikimedia.com
First Manned Apollo Missions Apollo 7 October, 1968 First manned flight since Apollo 1 Tested the CSM in 11 day orbit Apollo 8 December, 1968 First mission achieving lunar orbit saved 1968 Apollo 9 March 1969 Tested both vehicles in Earth orbit Apollo 10 May 1969 Dress rehearsal both vehicles in lunar orbit
Apollo 11 July, 1969 Crew Neil Armstrong Michael Collins Buzz Aldrin Mission Objectives Primary: lunar landing Secondary: geologic samples Tranquility Base Landing difficulties Touchdown NASA Archives
Apollo 11 Moon Walks Lunar soil samples Laser and seismographic equipment Mementos Homeward Bound Smooth flight home Hero s welcome Societal Impact Profound unification Societal resentment
Apollo 11 Set a goal and stick to it Assemble a team Engineers, astronauts, computer technicians, physicists Nurses, scrub techs, support staff Celebrate small victories and learn from the setbacks
Apollo 12 November, 1969 Mission Precision landing Geologic samples Surveyor spacecraft Launch Issues Lightning strike Flipping a switch Lunar Activity Two excursions
Apollo 13 April, 1970 Mission Objectives Houston, we ve had a Problem Loud bang heard by crew in CSM Loss of oxygen tank pressure Loss of power Addressing the Problem LM as a lifeboat Course corrections Re-entry What went wrong? Oxygen tank problem prior to launch
Apollo 13 The LM as a Lifeboat
Apollo 13 April, 1970 Mission Objectives Houston, we ve had a Problem Loud bang heard by crew in CSM Loss of oxygen tank pressure Loss of power Addressing the Problem LM as a lifeboat Course corrections Re-entry What went wrong? Oxygen tank problem prior to launch
Apollo 13 Lessons How to address a problem Let s not make the situation worse by guessing. How to make chicken soup from [less desirable ingredients] Fall Back on Training Practice, practice, practice, practice and practice
Final Apollo Missions Apollo 14 January 1971 Fra Mauro geological samples Lunar descent problems Famous golf shot Apollo 15 July, 1971 Extended lunar excursions Lunar satellite Apollo 16 April, 1972 Crater and mountain explorations Lunar satellite Apollo 17 Most experiments performed Only mission to carry animals Final Apollo mission
Lessons from Apollo Apollo 1 Dealing with failure Objectivity and introspection All Up Apollo 11 Preparing for success Value of a team Apollo 13 Just take a second and think Make it something you know Fall back on your training
Sincerest Thanks