1. Having tried a couple of Apollo 8 re-entries, one automatic and the other manual, I find the AGC’s roll commands easy enough to interpret, and accurate enough to get close to the calculated splashdown with manual control.
The EMS, however, is less easy to interpret. Having saved the bitmap after splashdown and compared it to the actual Apollo 8 EMS scroll, it looks close enough to real life. But I still cannot figure out how the pilot is meant to use it during reentry. Again, I managed just fine with the AGC roll commands, so what else does the pilot need from the EMS?
I have read the relevant AOH manual on the SCS, particularly ch 2.3.7 on the EMS, but still can’t figure it out. Any able to explain further?
2. On a related point, my Apollo 8 reentry, which was within 2 mins of the actual splashdown, landed me in pre-dawn darkness (around 165 d west and 5 d north). Did the real flight land in darkness?
Tony
The EMS, however, is less easy to interpret. Having saved the bitmap after splashdown and compared it to the actual Apollo 8 EMS scroll, it looks close enough to real life. But I still cannot figure out how the pilot is meant to use it during reentry. Again, I managed just fine with the AGC roll commands, so what else does the pilot need from the EMS?
I have read the relevant AOH manual on the SCS, particularly ch 2.3.7 on the EMS, but still can’t figure it out. Any able to explain further?
2. On a related point, my Apollo 8 reentry, which was within 2 mins of the actual splashdown, landed me in pre-dawn darkness (around 165 d west and 5 d north). Did the real flight land in darkness?
Tony