Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login
Apollo 11 Flight Plan – Final [pdf] (nasa.gov)
110 points by ColinWright on Dec 27, 2014 | hide | past | favorite | 23 comments



This is amazing. Even more amazing that all of this was done in 1969.

How is this PDF entirely high-resolution and vector? Is it essentially a digital remake of the original document? Or was the original document written in some crazy precursor to PostScript?


Looks like a digital remake. https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/a11-fltplan.htm contains a high-resolution scan of the original, plus this version with the annotation "Re-formatted by Thomas Schwagmeier".

If you compare them, the styles are very different; different fonts, color graphics instead of line art, etc. Looks like this is just entirely recreated based on the originals, not a dump of any data from the originals; I'm willing to bet that most of the originals were drafted by hand, not digitized in any way.


I'd guess it's a remake just based on the fact that the filename has "reformat" in it, and common sense


Here's the original in scanned PDF format amongst with some other versions:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/a11-fltplan.htm


If you're going to use a typewriter font to imitate a typewriter, turn off ligatures. Aargh.

That said, a "digitally remastered" version is a good idea and a lot of work. Thanks to whoever did it.


Pretty thorough document for a basement hoax. I'm kidding :) I'd like to see us go back. It's time for a moon base.


Speaking of a moon Base, ESA has a plan establish one. They are planning to send two rovers that will be able to 3d print a base for humans.

They are planning to send two rovers and an inflatable capsule. The inflatable capsule will work as a scaffolding for the rovers to print on. Two rovers will gather moon regolith around the inflated structure to create a protective shell, and their planned lunar base will be able to house 4 people.

It's fascinating!

Source : http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2014/11/3D-printing_...


Oh wow that is awesome, very Shire-esque


> Pretty thorough document for a basement hoax

That's why it took them 45 years to produce it ;-)


Our surest defense against any conspiracy theory: no one in their right mind would create this document just to win a Cold War.


>Pretty thorough document for a basement hoax.

Buzz Aldrin will punch you in the nose. ;-)


For anyone who doesn't know the reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wptn5RE2I-k


Oh man. Thanks for that.


I know MET is mission elapsed time, but does anyone know what GET is? (It's pretty much impossible to google, even trying to force google to include it capitalised doesn't help.)

Edit: Somehow missed the glossary on page 3, all in there. :)


And by 3 you meant iii, or 13 of the pdf, but actually iv/14 for GET, which is Ground Elapsed Time.

You can't just not define it in your edit without making others (just me?) curious and then mildly annoyed when it isn't on 'page 3'.


On the pages 19-20, what does USB (communication between the lander and the shuttle) stand for? Universal Serial Bus ?


Unified S-band (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_S-band) its a system for tracking the craft and communicating with it.


(Sorry, didn't mean to downmod, arrows are too small...)


Upper sideband (like AM radio but with the carrier and lower sideband signals suppressed).


Well, seeing reggplant's response, I now stand corrected :)

I never knew about about Unified S-band before. Learning things like this is one of the reasons I love HN.


This is like discovering a pharaoh's tomb for data viz. There's several really nice ones in here.


I find this fascinating. Again 1969!

Abbreviations: 8-balls - Flight Director Attitude Indicator


Unassuming yet momentous line item on page 1-2:(j) EVA for 2 hours 40 minutes




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: