Beschreibung:

DOCKING RING CHARGE HOLDER – Charge Holder, S/C 110. North American Rockwell, 1971. A pyrotechnic charge holder used to conduct explosive tests after docking problems encountered during the Apollo 14 flight. An Apollo flight profile required certain procedures that were most efficiently performed by explosive devices. These included the jettison of the Lunar Module from the Command Service Module after the LM returned from the lunar surface using a docking ring charge holder like this one. This charge holder was one of about 200 pyrotechnic devices used during an Apollo mission to the Moon. The present piece of hardware was used in tests performed after docking problems during the Apollo 14 flight of 1971—problems which could have scrubbed the landing. After nearly 2 hours and 6 attempts at docking, the Apollo 14 crew was finally able to dock. All other flight events were successful, but concerns remained which required investigation. Information contained in a NASA MSC 05101 post flight report, titled Apollo 14 Mission Anomaly Report No. 1 - Failure To Achieve Docking Probe Capture Latch Engagement , states that “the failure to achieve capture-latch engagement has been narrowed to either foreign material restricting the normal function of the capture latch mechanism or jamming of the translation cam." NASA implemented improved cleanliness requirements, probe mechanical modifications, and a protective cover for the probe to be removed only prior to launch. NASA Technical Note TN D-7141, Spacecraft Pyrotechnics Systems, March 1973 described the use of this test hardware. The core charge in the ring separation system had two strands of 6-grain Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) Mild Detonating Fuse (MDF) with an adhesive to assist setting the material into the charge holder. A test on December 8, 1971, failed to completely separate the docking ring. An investigation analysis indicated possible cross-sectional voids developing during the process of inserting charge material between the flange and charge ring. During 1972, tests were performed to verify corrective procedures. A copy of NASA Manned Spacecraft Center internal records (Voucher # 6093-003, page 54 of 60) listing these components having an ART (Artifact) number, description, part number, serial number (if any), is included. The spacecraft (S/C) listed here is 110, being Apollo 14. The understanding is that these charge holder components were used in docking ring separation tests or companion tests with the flown Apollo 14 docking probe, the docking ring listed, and docking ring flange listed. These charge rings retain residual smearing from the explosive tests. A recording error has the wrong part number for the holders listed on this paperwork. Hardware was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) via number 6341-001 in 1977 and later de accessed by NASM (NASM number 5809). Two MDF (Mild Detonating Fuse) partial arch charge holders with common attach points allowing a full 33 inch diameter ring when connected. Each has a yellow North American Rockwell (NAR) Temporary Parts Removal Tag, reading in part: “Charge Holder, S/C 110.” The first charge holder is marked V36-596031-7 B , SN 157 and the second V36-596031-9 C, SN 155, MR 374060 with a NAR inspection stamp, number 330. Each has a white label NAM (North American) 14 inspection stamp. The outer circumference has twenty half-inch bolts threaded in with NAS 1101 C3 marked on the head of each bolt. A clear plastic bag with a blank yellow NAR tag having a manuscript note on the reverse side of: “Hardware for Charge Holders.”