Fascinating work journal belonging to NASA engineer Jack H. Cohen of the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, 8 x 10.5, containing approximately 151 pages of handwritten entrees, penned in ink or felt tip, dating between August 19, 1968 and December 23, 1970. The first entry reads, in full: “This book was started to document significant activities as Chief of the Engineering Branch of the Quality Engineering Office at the Manned Spacecraft Center. These duties were assumed on August 12, 1968.” The timeframe of this journal covers from Apollo 7 to the leadup of the Apollo 14 mission, with Cohen’s entrees offering unique insight into interoffice planning, behavior, and communication, as well as to the various updates and developmental meetings of the lunar-landing program. A small selection of journal highlights:
October 7, 1968: “Meeting in McSheehey’s office regarding Lunar Module Ascent Engine Valve.”
November 8, 1968: “Called Harry Briggs regarding LM Descent Engine Audit. Planning Audit (December 6, 1968) Doesn’t need help! Doesn’t know of any problem—called Rzetorski and informed him that MSC will not participate.”
December 23, 1968: “Meeting on EVCS RCA and Sonex…L. Warren Greene, Buford Mitchell GE/ASD, Marty Keough, John Fitzgerald, and Jack Cohen NASA in Cohen’s office. Purpose of meeting to discuss trip to RCA and Sonex.”
January 9, 1969: “Meeting was to discuss specific IR’s related to data documented in the Engine Log Book…Inspection Report used by Aeroset to document non-conformances. Examples: S/C 106 Sect: 3-5C Broken Drills—Normal for drilling…S/C 104 3-5-A Misindexed holes, corrective action—check every 5th hole, Bill Lee will check corrective action.”
March 17, 1969: “Talked with Floyd Thomas DCAS rep at Eagle Picher Co., C&SM, a failure occurred on 3/12/69 on the C&SM entry battery C&SM ME 401-0012-0003 S/N 3 at 0430 during Qual Testing.”
June 10, 1969: “Advance Mission Planning Office, Dr. Mueller approved 42 Meg Dollars total cost for roving Lunar Vehicle, 400 lbs dry weight—2 astronauts—gross weight about 1200 lbs. Compatible with LM.”
December 17, 1969: “Meeting ‘Lunar Dust Meeting’…Dave Carrier and Werner to discuss dust, measurements, electromagnetic, electrostatic / Apollo 11 samples 50% glass, 50% finer than 0.08 mm ti, Fe, lacking potassium. Approx. 10% smaller than 10 microns. Range of crystal structure from spheres to angular, very few minerals have been identified. Chemical composition different.”
December 22, 1969: “G&N System, information received from the Air Force at Milwaukee.”
January 12, 1970: “Attended a Lunar Rover mtg in Bill Potenia’s office in SETD Bldg 32 Room 220.” In fine condition, with expected wear from use.
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