Where No Man Has Gone Before: A History of Apollo Lunar Exploration Missions

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: America Starts for the Moon

Introduction
Organizing for Space Exploration
Project Apollo: The Decision
Project Apollo: The Debate
Project Apollo: Prospects, 1963

Chapter 2: Linking Science to Manned Space Flight

Introduction
The Moon and the Space Science Program
Manned Space Flight and Science
Coordinating Science and Apollo
Reorganizing Around Apollo
1963: Progress and Prospects

Chapter 3: Apollo's Lunar Exploration Plans

Introduction
Scientific Interest in the Moon
Planning the Lunar Exploration
Headquarters-Center Relations in Science
Lunar Surface Experiments
Woods Hole and Falmouth Conferences, Summer 1965
Site Selection: Ranger, Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter

Chapter 4: Handling Samples from the Moon

Introduction
Early Plans for Lunar Sample Management
The Specter of "Back-Contamination"
Congress Objects to the Receiving Laboratory
Completing Design and Starting Construction
Staffing the Lunar Receiving Laboratory

Chapter 5: Selecting and Training the Crews

Introduction
Test-Pilot Astronauts
Scientists Call for Representation on Apollo Crews
Organizing the Astronaut Corps
More Missions, More Astronauts
Moving Into Flight Operations
Selection of the First Scientist-Astronauts
Future Plans Require Yet More Astronauts
Headquarters Expands the Ranks of Scientist-Astronauts
Scientists in the Astronaut Corps

Chapter 6: Mission and Science Planning

Introduction
Operational Constraints on Landing Sites
Scientific Input to Site Selection
Site Selection: Early Results from Unmanned Programs
Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments
MSC Develops a Science Organization
Apollo at the End of 1966

Chapter 7: Setback and Recovery: 1967

Introduction
Death at the Cape
The Fire and the Science Program
PSAC Examines Post-Apollo Science Plans
Lunar Science and Exploration: Santa Cruz, 1967
The Purse Strings Draw Tighter
Lunar Exploration Program Office Established
Lunar Receiving Laboratory: Management and Sample Handling
Complexities of Quarantine
1967: A Critical Year

Chapter 8: Final Preparations: 1968

Introduction
Spacecraft and Mission Progress
Lunar Surface Experiments
Lunar Receiving Laboratory
Problems with Back-Contamination Control
Final Simulations and Certification
Picking Landing Sites
Looking Beyond the First Landings
Mission Planning and Operations, 1968
The Apollo Decade Draws to a Close

Chapter 9: Primary Mission Accomplished

Crew Activities, 1968-1969
A Second Group of Scientist-Astronauts
Crew Training and Flight Operations
Apollo 11 Crew Makes Ready
The First Lunar Explorers
Scientific Work Begins
The Astronauts in Quarantine
Public Interest in Lunar Samples
Astronauts Given Clean Bill of Health
Scientific Side Issues: Security and Publication
The End of the Beginning

Chapter 10: Lunar Exploration Begins

Introduction
On With Lunar Exploration
Selecting Sites for Lunar Exploration
Preparations for the Second Mission: Crew Selection and Training
Target: Surveyor III
Firming Up Plans for Apollo 12
Interlude: Alarums and Excursions in the Scientific Community
Preparations for the Next Mission

Chapter 11: First Phase of Lunar Exploration Completed: 1969-1970

Introduction
Intrepid Seeks Out Surveyor III
Lunar Receiving Laboratory Operations
The First Lunar Science Conference
MSC Increases Emphasis on Science in Apollo
Personell and Program Changes
Mission to Fra Mauro

Chapter 12: Apollo Assumes Its Final Form: 1970-1971

Introduction
Cutbacks and Program Changes
To Fra Mauro: At Last
Changes for Extended Lunar Missions
Landing Sites for the Last Missions
Crews for the Last Missions
Scientists-Astronauts' Dissatisfaction Surfaces
Second Apollo Lunar Science Conference
The End of Quarantine

Chapter 13: Lunar Exploration Concluded

Introduction
Apollo 15: Great Expectations
The Lunar Rover and New Experiments
To the Mountains of the Moon
Apollo 15's Science Dividend
A Geologist for Apollo 17
To the Lunar Highlands: Descartes
Apollo 17: The Close of an Era

Chapter 14: Project Apollo: The Conclusion

Introduction
Apollo 17 Samples
Fourth Lunar Science Conference
The New Moon
The Scientific Accomplishments of Apollo
Major Issues in Apollo
Project Apollo: Stunt or Portent?

Appendices

Bibliographic Essay

The Author