Rare bracket-bound manual from the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory entitled "R-507, G&N System Operations Plan, Mission AS-204A, Section IV Only, June 1966," bound in its original blue "Apollo Guidance and Navigation" softcover wrappers, 8.5″ x 11″ x 1.5″, marked "R. Larson" on the title page. In addition to a verb-noun list, checklist codes, and logic flow charts, the highly technical manual provides lengthy program and routine listings as part of the "Apollo Computer Logic Checklist Interface," for example: "AGC Idling Program (P001)," "Boost Monitor - Pre Let Jettison Program (P11)," "Coast-Landing Tracking Navigation Program (P22)," "Pre Thrusting - Orbit Change Program (P31)," "Prethrusting - Return to Earth Program (P32)," "Attitude Control Mode Check Routine (R1)," "Sighting Mark Routine (R7)," and so on. In fine condition, with light toning and a rusty paperclip mark to the title page.
AS-204A, manned by Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee, was intended 'to verify spacecraft crew operations and CSM subsystems performance for an earth-orbit mission of up to 14 days' duration and to verify the launch vehicle subsystems performance in preparation for subsequent operational Saturn IB missions.' After several delays throughout 1966, the launch was finally scheduled to take place on February 21, 1967. A fire broke out in the Apollo 1 capsule during a launch rehearsal on January 27, 1967, claiming lives of all three crewmen. The tragedy led to a reevaluation of the Apollo spacecraft and the development of the Block II Command and Service Module. As a Guidance and Navigation computer document affiliated with the Apollo 1 spacecraft, this is a scarce and historic piece.
Russ Larson worked as a project manager and astronaut liaison at MIT's Instrumentation Lab, where he was involved in programming the Lunar Module's Apollo Guidance Computer; he worked directly with the astronaut crews, training them on the simulators and guidance system.
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