a16_v_c_o_AKP (RCA Astro_Electronics Div. photo no. 72-8-511C, S-72-35614 eq)

“APOLLO 16 TV PICTURE/LM LIFTOFF----The Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" ascent stage makes its lift off from the lunar surface in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the RCA color TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The LRV-mounted TV camera, remotely controlled from the Mission Control Center, made it possible for people on Earth to watch the LM's spectacular launch from the Moon. The liftoff was at 175:44 ground elapsed time, 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The "Orion" ascent stage, with Astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules orbiting the moon. Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke descended in the LM to explore the Descartes landing site. The LM descent stage is used as a launching platform and remains behind on the Moon.”

A slight variation, associated with subsequent online NASA “issuances” of the image. I don’t why they/somebody felt compelled to tweak it, it was fine the way it was originally written…better actually. Dumbasses:

“The Apollo 16 Lunar Module "Orion" ascent stage makes its liftoff from the lunar surface in this reproduction taken from a color television transmission made by the RCA color TV camera mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). Remotely controlled from NASA's Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, the LRV-mounted camera made it possible for persons on Earth to watch the LM's launch from the moon. Liftoff occurred at 175:44 ground elapsed time, 7:26 p.m. (CST), April 23, 1972. The "Orion" ascent stage, with astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, returned from the lunar surface to rejoin the Command and Service Modules (CSM) orbiting the moon. Astronaut Thomas K. (Ken) Mattingly II remained with the CSM in lunar orbit while Young and Duke descended in the LM to explore the Descartes landing site. The LM descent stage is used as a launching platform and remains behind on the moon.”

It's obvious there’s something amiss/different going on with the aft ascent stage panels in the image…”buckling” as it was referred to by NASA. In the following video, you can see/say it’s more like “flapping”, seemingly only remaining attached along their top borders:

youtu.be/SdW6eVb_dmc?si=nJk7qp79AAqQEJWw
Credit: Space Resources/YouTube

Taken on: March 25, 2024

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Ed Fendell « less

Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Apollo 16

Groups appears in: • Space Exploration • Apollo program more » • OUT OF THIS WORLD • Space & Astronauts « less

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