What happened to Apollo 13 LM descent stage?












11












$begingroup$


I see in the accounts of the Apollo 13 mission that the descent stage engine of the LM were used to propel the joined spacecraft into a return trajectory to earth and that the crew remained in the LM ascent stage until shortly before reentry and return to Earth.



Here’s my question. Can we assume that the descent stage remained attached to ‘Aquarius’ all the way and so was burned up on reentry to the atmosphere with the ascent stage?



I have not seen any report indicating the descent stage was jettisoned after the engines of the descent stage were fired and its fuel supply exhausted.



Why would it not be jettisoned, if it wasn’t? It had served its purpose and would be in the way were there need to use the ascent stage engine. It would be dead weight.










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  • 4




    $begingroup$
    The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    9 hours ago
















11












$begingroup$


I see in the accounts of the Apollo 13 mission that the descent stage engine of the LM were used to propel the joined spacecraft into a return trajectory to earth and that the crew remained in the LM ascent stage until shortly before reentry and return to Earth.



Here’s my question. Can we assume that the descent stage remained attached to ‘Aquarius’ all the way and so was burned up on reentry to the atmosphere with the ascent stage?



I have not seen any report indicating the descent stage was jettisoned after the engines of the descent stage were fired and its fuel supply exhausted.



Why would it not be jettisoned, if it wasn’t? It had served its purpose and would be in the way were there need to use the ascent stage engine. It would be dead weight.










share|improve this question









New contributor




TomKat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    9 hours ago














11












11








11





$begingroup$


I see in the accounts of the Apollo 13 mission that the descent stage engine of the LM were used to propel the joined spacecraft into a return trajectory to earth and that the crew remained in the LM ascent stage until shortly before reentry and return to Earth.



Here’s my question. Can we assume that the descent stage remained attached to ‘Aquarius’ all the way and so was burned up on reentry to the atmosphere with the ascent stage?



I have not seen any report indicating the descent stage was jettisoned after the engines of the descent stage were fired and its fuel supply exhausted.



Why would it not be jettisoned, if it wasn’t? It had served its purpose and would be in the way were there need to use the ascent stage engine. It would be dead weight.










share|improve this question









New contributor




TomKat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




I see in the accounts of the Apollo 13 mission that the descent stage engine of the LM were used to propel the joined spacecraft into a return trajectory to earth and that the crew remained in the LM ascent stage until shortly before reentry and return to Earth.



Here’s my question. Can we assume that the descent stage remained attached to ‘Aquarius’ all the way and so was burned up on reentry to the atmosphere with the ascent stage?



I have not seen any report indicating the descent stage was jettisoned after the engines of the descent stage were fired and its fuel supply exhausted.



Why would it not be jettisoned, if it wasn’t? It had served its purpose and would be in the way were there need to use the ascent stage engine. It would be dead weight.







apollo-program apollo-13






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share|improve this question









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share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 8 hours ago









Nathan Tuggy

3,73842637




3,73842637






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asked 9 hours ago









TomKatTomKat

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TomKat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    9 hours ago














  • 4




    $begingroup$
    The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    9 hours ago








4




4




$begingroup$
The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
$endgroup$
– Uwe
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
The supplies for fuel, oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.
$endgroup$
– Uwe
9 hours ago




3




3




$begingroup$
Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
$endgroup$
– JCRM
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
Dead weight isn't a problem if you're not manoeuvring.
$endgroup$
– JCRM
9 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















14












$begingroup$

Lets have a look into Apollo By The Numbers:



enter image description here



There was a lot of unused fuel Aerozin 50 and oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide remaining in the descent stage of the Apollo 13 LM.



But the other supplies for oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.



There were six batteries in the LM, four in the descent stage with 400 Ah each and two in the ascent stage with 296 Ah each. So 73 % of the available battery energy was located in the descent stage. As long as the descent stage was present, all six batteries could be switched two both DC buses individually or disconnected as neccessary.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    8 hours ago



















7












$begingroup$

Aquarius' ascent and descent stages stayed together until reentry.



As described in this QA, the descent stage carried the majority of battery power, oxygen, and water supply. Battery power in particular was the limiting factor for Apollo 13's survival, so the descent stage had to be retained until the very last moment.



As Uwe notes, over half the descent stage fuel remained (using more could have shortened the flight, but would have landed the command module in the wrong ocean), so there was no need for the ascent stage engine.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    4












    $begingroup$

    Regardless of consumables, the main concern with the descent module was the RTG.



    Each Apollo LM carried a small nuclear device containing nearly 4 Kg of plutonium that was to be left on the moon.



    The reentry of Apollo 13 was timed so that any surviving parts of the descent module of Acuarius ended up in the Tonga trench in the southern Pacific Ocean. The plutonium casket was designed to survive re-entry and was indeed confirmed to splash down at the expected location.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      4 hours ago











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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    14












    $begingroup$

    Lets have a look into Apollo By The Numbers:



    enter image description here



    There was a lot of unused fuel Aerozin 50 and oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide remaining in the descent stage of the Apollo 13 LM.



    But the other supplies for oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.



    There were six batteries in the LM, four in the descent stage with 400 Ah each and two in the ascent stage with 296 Ah each. So 73 % of the available battery energy was located in the descent stage. As long as the descent stage was present, all six batteries could be switched two both DC buses individually or disconnected as neccessary.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
      $endgroup$
      – JCRM
      8 hours ago






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
      $endgroup$
      – Uwe
      8 hours ago
















    14












    $begingroup$

    Lets have a look into Apollo By The Numbers:



    enter image description here



    There was a lot of unused fuel Aerozin 50 and oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide remaining in the descent stage of the Apollo 13 LM.



    But the other supplies for oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.



    There were six batteries in the LM, four in the descent stage with 400 Ah each and two in the ascent stage with 296 Ah each. So 73 % of the available battery energy was located in the descent stage. As long as the descent stage was present, all six batteries could be switched two both DC buses individually or disconnected as neccessary.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
      $endgroup$
      – JCRM
      8 hours ago






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
      $endgroup$
      – Uwe
      8 hours ago














    14












    14








    14





    $begingroup$

    Lets have a look into Apollo By The Numbers:



    enter image description here



    There was a lot of unused fuel Aerozin 50 and oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide remaining in the descent stage of the Apollo 13 LM.



    But the other supplies for oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.



    There were six batteries in the LM, four in the descent stage with 400 Ah each and two in the ascent stage with 296 Ah each. So 73 % of the available battery energy was located in the descent stage. As long as the descent stage was present, all six batteries could be switched two both DC buses individually or disconnected as neccessary.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    Lets have a look into Apollo By The Numbers:



    enter image description here



    There was a lot of unused fuel Aerozin 50 and oxidizer nitrogen tetroxide remaining in the descent stage of the Apollo 13 LM.



    But the other supplies for oxygen, water and batterie power were much bigger in the descent stage than in the ascent stage. It was therefore neccessary to keep the descent stage as long as possible, not only for fuel.



    There were six batteries in the LM, four in the descent stage with 400 Ah each and two in the ascent stage with 296 Ah each. So 73 % of the available battery energy was located in the descent stage. As long as the descent stage was present, all six batteries could be switched two both DC buses individually or disconnected as neccessary.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 7 hours ago

























    answered 9 hours ago









    UweUwe

    10.9k23057




    10.9k23057












    • $begingroup$
      the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
      $endgroup$
      – JCRM
      8 hours ago






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
      $endgroup$
      – Uwe
      8 hours ago


















    • $begingroup$
      the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
      $endgroup$
      – JCRM
      8 hours ago






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
      $endgroup$
      – Uwe
      8 hours ago
















    $begingroup$
    the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    8 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    the oxidizer wasn't oxygen
    $endgroup$
    – JCRM
    8 hours ago




    3




    3




    $begingroup$
    @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    8 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @JCRM The LM used hypergolic fuel, no cryogenic oxygen. But oxygen was needed for breathing by the astronauts.
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    8 hours ago











    7












    $begingroup$

    Aquarius' ascent and descent stages stayed together until reentry.



    As described in this QA, the descent stage carried the majority of battery power, oxygen, and water supply. Battery power in particular was the limiting factor for Apollo 13's survival, so the descent stage had to be retained until the very last moment.



    As Uwe notes, over half the descent stage fuel remained (using more could have shortened the flight, but would have landed the command module in the wrong ocean), so there was no need for the ascent stage engine.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      7












      $begingroup$

      Aquarius' ascent and descent stages stayed together until reentry.



      As described in this QA, the descent stage carried the majority of battery power, oxygen, and water supply. Battery power in particular was the limiting factor for Apollo 13's survival, so the descent stage had to be retained until the very last moment.



      As Uwe notes, over half the descent stage fuel remained (using more could have shortened the flight, but would have landed the command module in the wrong ocean), so there was no need for the ascent stage engine.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        7












        7








        7





        $begingroup$

        Aquarius' ascent and descent stages stayed together until reentry.



        As described in this QA, the descent stage carried the majority of battery power, oxygen, and water supply. Battery power in particular was the limiting factor for Apollo 13's survival, so the descent stage had to be retained until the very last moment.



        As Uwe notes, over half the descent stage fuel remained (using more could have shortened the flight, but would have landed the command module in the wrong ocean), so there was no need for the ascent stage engine.






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        Aquarius' ascent and descent stages stayed together until reentry.



        As described in this QA, the descent stage carried the majority of battery power, oxygen, and water supply. Battery power in particular was the limiting factor for Apollo 13's survival, so the descent stage had to be retained until the very last moment.



        As Uwe notes, over half the descent stage fuel remained (using more could have shortened the flight, but would have landed the command module in the wrong ocean), so there was no need for the ascent stage engine.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 8 hours ago

























        answered 8 hours ago









        Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

        85.3k3287370




        85.3k3287370























            4












            $begingroup$

            Regardless of consumables, the main concern with the descent module was the RTG.



            Each Apollo LM carried a small nuclear device containing nearly 4 Kg of plutonium that was to be left on the moon.



            The reentry of Apollo 13 was timed so that any surviving parts of the descent module of Acuarius ended up in the Tonga trench in the southern Pacific Ocean. The plutonium casket was designed to survive re-entry and was indeed confirmed to splash down at the expected location.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 1




              $begingroup$
              +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
              $endgroup$
              – uhoh
              4 hours ago
















            4












            $begingroup$

            Regardless of consumables, the main concern with the descent module was the RTG.



            Each Apollo LM carried a small nuclear device containing nearly 4 Kg of plutonium that was to be left on the moon.



            The reentry of Apollo 13 was timed so that any surviving parts of the descent module of Acuarius ended up in the Tonga trench in the southern Pacific Ocean. The plutonium casket was designed to survive re-entry and was indeed confirmed to splash down at the expected location.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 1




              $begingroup$
              +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
              $endgroup$
              – uhoh
              4 hours ago














            4












            4








            4





            $begingroup$

            Regardless of consumables, the main concern with the descent module was the RTG.



            Each Apollo LM carried a small nuclear device containing nearly 4 Kg of plutonium that was to be left on the moon.



            The reentry of Apollo 13 was timed so that any surviving parts of the descent module of Acuarius ended up in the Tonga trench in the southern Pacific Ocean. The plutonium casket was designed to survive re-entry and was indeed confirmed to splash down at the expected location.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            Regardless of consumables, the main concern with the descent module was the RTG.



            Each Apollo LM carried a small nuclear device containing nearly 4 Kg of plutonium that was to be left on the moon.



            The reentry of Apollo 13 was timed so that any surviving parts of the descent module of Acuarius ended up in the Tonga trench in the southern Pacific Ocean. The plutonium casket was designed to survive re-entry and was indeed confirmed to splash down at the expected location.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 5 hours ago









            Diego SánchezDiego Sánchez

            971514




            971514








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
              $endgroup$
              – uhoh
              4 hours ago














            • 1




              $begingroup$
              +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
              $endgroup$
              – uhoh
              4 hours ago








            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
            $endgroup$
            – uhoh
            4 hours ago




            $begingroup$
            +1 but please cite or link to a verifiable source for factual information in answers. Thanks!
            $endgroup$
            – uhoh
            4 hours ago










            TomKat is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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