APOLLB

OPTICAL SUBSYSTEM
AND
LM ALIGNMENT QPTICAL TELESCOPE

FINAL REPORT

VOLUME I - PROGRAM SUMMARY

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pa:
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February 1970

Prepared For
AC Electronics Division
General Motors Corporation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Kol lsman Instrument Corporation

Syosset, New York
 APOLLO
OPTICAL SUBSYSTEM
AND
LM ALIGNIJZENT OPTICAL TELESCOPE

PROGRAM SUMMARY

VOLUME I

Subcontract No. FNP 12776

NASA Prime No. NAS-9-497
February 1970

Approved by:

~rograkbDirector

KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

Syosset, New York
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

FOREWORD

This document constitutes the Final Report of the Apollo

Optical Subsystem and the LM Alignment Optical Telescope program.
The report is prepared in conformance with the requirements as
specified in the NASA ACED Contract NAS 9-497 and is presented in
two volumes.

Volume I - Program Summary

Volume I1 - Final Report (two books)
Part 1 Section 1 Introduction
Section 2 Program Management
Section 3 Technical Approach
Section 4 Engineering
Part 2 Section 5 Reliability
Section 6 Quality Assurance
Section 7 Documentation
Section 8 Field Operations
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paqe
INTRO~tJCTION .... ... . . I,
S C O P E O F E F F O R T . . . . . o . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HARDWARE DESCRIPTION . 4
FUNCTIONAL BREAKDOWN OF ORGANIZATION . 8 . 11
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 14
 KOLLSMAN IEISTRUMENT CORPORATION

INTRODUCTION

H i s t o r y w i l l r e c o r d t h e e v e n t s that o c c u r r e d during t h e plan-

n i n g , development, cnd implementation o f t h e Apollo Program. I t
w i l l d i s c u s s the f a c t o r s t h a t l e d t o the development, t h e temper
of the n a t i o n during t h e performance and t h e impact t h a t t h e t o t a l
program has had on t h e n a t i o n and t h e world as a whole, This re-
p o r t w i l l form p a r t o f t h a t h i s t o r y ,
H i s t o r y has a very p r a c t i c a l a s p e c t - - t h a t b e i n g , t h e knowledge
gained by a review o f t h e p a s t assists us i n s e t t i n g a course f o r
the f u t u r e . To a degree t h e mistakes o f t h e p a s t can h e l p i n
avoiding t h e p i t f a l l s t h a t may loom i n t h e f u t u r e b u t , more signi-
f i c a n t l y , each s u c c e s s of t h e p a s t should s e r v e as a s t e p p i n g s t o n e
f o r t h e b e t t e r m e n t 0 4 a l l mankind. The Apollo program, because of
the massiveness o f i t s .undertaking and the i n d i s p u t a b l e nature of
i t s s u c c e s s must be s e r i o u s l y considered toward t h a t purpose.
I t h a s been s p e c u l a t e d t h a t the undertaking o f t h i s program
h a s Been t h e g r e a t e s t undertaking ir. a l l t h e h i s t o r y of mankind,
exceeding t h e m o b i l i z a t i o n o f defense and i n d u s t r y a t t h e beginning
of World War 11. This undertaking which w e can now d e s c r i b e a s a
series of e s t a b l i s h e d f a c t s w a s so large, so a l l encompassing i n
n a t u r e , so demanding i n i t s requirements and so i d e a l i s t i c i n i t s
a s p i r a t i o n s t h a t o u r n a t i o n a l language i s hard p r e s s e d t o supply
words which can adequately d e s c r i b e it. Y e t , if w e a r e t o p r o f i t
by what w e have done w e must have a f u l l understanding of the es-
sence o f t h e a c t i o n .
I n compliance w i t h the Statement of Work o f t h e Apollo con-
t r a c t t h e Kollsman Instrument Corporation herewith s u b m i t s i t s
f i n a l r e p o r t . I n a d d i t i o n to providing the s i g n i f i c a n t m i l e s t o n e s ,
series o f e v e n t s and a s s o c i a t e d s t a t i s t i c s , it i s o u r e a r n e s t de-
sire t h a t t h i s r e p o r t w i l l a l s o supply t h e g r e a t e s t p o s s i b l e degree
o f i n s i g h t i n t o what h a s made t h i s a s u c c e s s f u l program. I t i s our
f e e l i n g t h a t i f w e can p r o p e r l y p r o j e c t how Kollsman has managed
t h i s program then by m u l t i p l y i n g by a thousand f o l d perhaps we
might provide a broader i n s i g h t i n t o how t h t~o t a l program h a s be-
come a s u c c e s s .
I t is a p p r o p r i a t e to n o t e , a t t h i s time, t h a t as o u t ~ k a n d i n g
as the e n g i n e e r i n g accomplishments have been, Wr? w i l l n o t f i n d h e r e
the real e s s e n c e f o r success. R a t h e r w e w i i l f i n d a t o o l f o r suc-
cess. W e s u s p e c t t h a t , on deeper r e f l e c t i o n , w e w i l l f i n d t h a t t h e
development of people, o f a t t i t u d e s and motives, i n s h o r t , a major
innovation i n p e o p l e ' s t h i n k i n g and how t h i s w a s accomplished i s
t h e "key" t o the s u c c e s s of Apollo.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

SCOPE OF EFFORT

Kollsmangs performance on t h e Apollo Program covers t h e p e r i o d

May 1962 throuyh December 1969. A s prime c o n t r a c t o r t o NASA,
Kollsman s b a s i c r e s p o n s i b i l i t y was t o develop, f a b r i c a t e , test and
s u p p o r t f l i g h t hardware and a s s o c i a t e d Ground Support Equipment
(GSE) f o r t h e Apollo Guidance and Navigation (GCN) System, In
a d d i t i o n , Kollsman assisted t h e Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e o f Tech-
nology I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n Laboratory (MIT/IL) d u r i n g t h e design phase
o f t h i s hardware w i t h a team o f r e s i d e n t s e n i o r e n g i n e e r s , designexs,
and draftsmen, The design r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e hardware was t h a t
o f MIT/IL who was also prime t o NASA.
I n J u l y o f 1964 AC E l e c t r o n i c s assumed prime r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
f o r a l l G&N equipment. From t h i s p o i n t through t h e balance o f t h e
program, Kollsman performed as a s u b c o n t r a c t o r t o AC E l e c t r o n i c s .
MIT/IL continued a s t h e design cognizant agency.
A l l changes t o t h e Statement o f Work (SOW), d u r i n g t h e e a r l y
phases o f t h e program, were dictated by MIT/IL w i t h c o n t r a c t u a l
changes a u t h o r i z e d d i r e c t l y by NASA. During AC E l e c t r o n i c s t e n u r e
as prime c o n t r a c t o r , a l l c o n t r a c t u a l changes were directed and
a u t h o r i z e d by AC E l e c t r o n i c s .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e f a b r i c a t i o n o f prime and GSE hardware,
Kollsman implemented a dynamic Q u a l i t y Assurance progfam, The
r e l i a b i l i t y p o r t i o n o f t h i s program is d e l i n e a t e d i n t h e Command
and Lunar Excursion Module's R e l i a b i l i t y Plan and i n c l u d e s s t u d i e s ,
tests, a n a l y s e s and r e p o r t s on such items as: materials, design
v e r i f i c a t i o n tests, q u a l i f i c a t i o n t e s t i n g of prime hardware,
q u a l i f i c a t i o n t e s t i n g of components, extended performance t e s t i n g
(E.P.T.) of vendor s u p p l i e d parts, program reviews and c o n t r o l s ,
t r a i n i n g , r e l i a b i l i t y s t u d i e s , design reviews and manufacturing
support.
The q u a l i t y c o n t r o l p o r t i o n o f t h i s program i n c l u d e s such con-
t r o l s as r s u p p l i e r e v a l u a t i o n and s u r v e i l l a n c e , q u a l i t y f a b r i -
c a t i o n and t e s t , documentation, systems and procedures, I t i n -
c l u d e s t h e g e n e r a t i o n and i s s u a n c e o f Q.C. manuals, handbooks,
s p e c i f i c a t i o n s and procedures, performance o f a u d i t s , administra-
t i o n o f MRB, performance o f e f f e c t i v e design review and so on,
Perhaps one o f t h e most formidable t a s k s which was performed by QC
was t h e s u c c e s s f u l n e g o t i a t i o n w i t h s u p p l i e r s o f ND 1015404 (Gen-
eral Spec. C o n f i g u r a t i o n , Process and Q u a l i t y Control Requirements
for S u p p l i e r s of High R e l i a b i l i t y Articles f o r use i n Apollo G&N
sys tems ) , Considering t h e low volune o f p a r t s requirements, t h e
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

development and persuasion of vendors toward meeting t h e f u l l -

L e t t e r and s i r i t of t h i s f a r reaching s p e c i f i c a t i ~ nis unpre-
-enn 4k- e annals of Q.C. controls.
Kollsman, a d d i t i o n a l l y , developed and t r a i n e d a s t r o n g F i e l d
Operations group t o perform complete m a i n t a i n a b i l i t y and f i e l d
o p e r a t i o n s f u n c t i o n s i n c l u d i n g the manning o f f i e l d sites a t :
AC E l e c t r o n i c s , Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NASA Manned S p a c e c r a f t Center (MSC), Houston, Texas
North American Rockwell (NAR) , Downey , C a l i f o r n i a
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Cape Kennedy, F l o r i d a
Grumman A i r c r a f t Engineering Corp., Bethpage, New York
The implementation of a heavy documentation, c o n t r o l and re-
p o r t i n g system was a foremost and c h a l l e n g i n g requirement. I n
October 1964, the documentation burden was f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e d w i t h
t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e new and more s t r i n g e n t regulation NPC
500-1 (Apollo Configuration Management Manual).
A s t h e program progressed, numerous non-interchangeable de-
s i g n changes r e s u l t e d i n t h e r e c y c l i n g of u n i t s back t o Kollsman
f o r r e t r o f i t purposes. I n some i n s t a n c e s , r e t r o f i t s were success-
f u l l y implemented a t f i e l d sites.
For t h e p e r i o d J u l y 1, 1968 t h r u December 31, 1969, a r e p a i r
program was i n t e g r a t e d w i t h t h e t o t a l c o n t r a c t u a l commitment.
The above s t a t e d scope of e f f o r t is d e l i n e a t e d , i n d e t a i l , i n
V o l u m e I1 of this r e p o r t which, i n t u r n , is a candensation o f t h e
t l ~ o u s a n d sof doswnents that were prepared d u r i n g t h e course o f t h e
program. These documents d e s c r i b e i t e m of hardware and software
and, a l l of the e v e n t s and a c t i v i t y which took place.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

HARDWARE DELZRIPTION

A b r i e f f u n c t i o n a l d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e hardware f o r which
Kollsman had designated r e s p o n s i b i l i t y is as fdllows;
1. OPTICAL UNIT ASSEMBLY (OUA)
Thr! OUA c o n s i s t s of t w o o p t i c a l i l n s t r w e n t s ; a s e x t a n t
(SXT) , and a scanning telescope (SCT) , mounted on a common base
and used i n t h e Apollo Command Module (CM). The SCT i s a low power
instrument w i t h a wide f i e l d of view and i s used f o r general celes-
t i a l viewing and recognition of t a r g e t bodies. I t i s a l s o used fox
i n i t i a l o r i e n t a t i o n of t h e I n e r t i a l Measurement Unit (XMU). Sn
a d d i t i o n , it i s used to track landmark p o i n t s during e a r t h and
l u n a r o r b i t s . The SXT is a highly accurate high power magnifi-
c a t i o n instrument with a narrow f i e l d of view. I t is capable of:
s i g h t i n g two c e l e s t i a l t a r g e t s simultaneously and measuring the
angle between them. The SXT i s used f o r I M U o r i e n t a t i o n and re-
o r i e n t a t i o n by s i g h t i n g on two celestial bodies. I n a d d i t i o n , it
is used f o r c e l e s t i a l navigation by using star-horizon o r star-
landmark measurements. I t i s capable o f t r a c k i n g landmark p o i n t s
during e a r t h and l u n a r o r b i t s .
2. ALIGNMENT OPTICAlL TELESCOPE (AOT)
The AOT is a p e r i s c o p i c telescope with a wide f i e l d of
view and i s manually r o t a t e d t o each of s i x d e t e n t p o s i t i o n s . I t
is used i n t h e Apollo Lunar Module (Lbl). The AOT function is t o
provide IMU o r i e n t a t i o n o r alignment i n lunar o r b i t and on t h e
l u n a r s u r f a c e by s i g h t i n g on two c e l e s t i a l bodies.
3. MAP AND DATA VIEWER (MDV)
The MDV along w i t h the OUA comprise t h e o r i g i n a l o p t i c a l
subsystem f o r use i n t h e Command Module G&N system. The MDV was
mounixd i n the t o p p o r t i o n of the Lower Display Control Panel of
t h e Cbil. The purpose of t h e MDV was t o provide t h e a s t r o n a u t s with
i n f l i g h t v i s u a l d i s p l a y of p e r t i n e n t f l i g h t d a t a and a t t h e same
t i m e i n d i c a t e condition o f c r i t i c a l G&N system c i r c u i t s through
annunciators (warning l i g h t s ) . 1nEo1:mation such a s navigational
c h a r t s , computer s e t t i n g s , f l i g h t i n s t r u c t i o n s , etc. wexe t o be
contained on 50 f o o t spools of 16mm f i l m and s t o r e d i n mechanized
c a r t r i d g e s . Each c a r t r i d g e held s u f f i c i e n t f i l m to c a t a l o g 2000
s e p a r a t e frames of data. Subsequent t o Block Z , NASA decided t o
d e l e t e t h i s i t e m of hardware.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

4. APOLLO RANGEFINDER
Downstream i n t h e program Kollsman was requested t o de-
velop and f a b r i c a t e a Rangefinder t o a i d i n t h e rendezvous opera-
t i o n between t h e CM and t h e LM, The Rangefinder i a an o p t i c a l
ranging d e v i c e employing t h e d i a s t i m e t e r p r i n c i p l e . With known LM
t a r g e t size t h e d i s t a n c e of t h e LM from t h e CM can be r e a d i l y i n d i -
cated by viewing t h e subtended a n g l e of t h e t a r g e t v e h i c l e . The
i n s t r u m e n t a u t o m a t i c a l l y i n t e r p o l a t e s f o r d i r e c t read-out of n a u t i c a l
miles,
5. GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (GSE) AND FACTORY TEST EQUIPMENT
( FTE )

Kollsman developed and f a b r i c a t e d t e s t equipment s u i t a b l e

t o b u i l d , test and f i e l d s u p p o r t t h e above l i s t e d f l i g h t hardware.
I n t h e c o u r s e of OUA development t h e u n i t s were released i n
blocks, known a s Block I , Block 1-50, Block 1-100, and Block 11.
Behind each d e s i g n a t i o n change w a s a d e f i n i t e purpose designed ex-
p r e s s l y t o enhance t h e performance o f t h e Guidance and Navigation
System.
The Block 1-50 systems were b a s i c a l l y a r e d e f i n i t i o n of Block
I OUA's with nominal c o n f i g u r a t i o n changes, The Block X I configura-
t i o n contained t h e following major changes:
a. I n c o r p o r a t i o n of New Motor Tachometers
power f o r an i n c r e a s e d mechanical load.
- provided a d d i t i o n a l
be Application of High E f f i c i e n c y O p t i c a l Coatings
transmissability.
- improve
c. Quick Disconnect Eyepieces with Heater F e a t u r e - provided
a s t r o n a u t w i t h a quick change c a p a b i l i t y and a n anti-fog-
ging f e a t u r e .
d. Large Diameter O p t i c a l Base -
chsnge implemented t o ac-
commodate an i n t e r f a c e requiremenr,
e. I n c l u s f o n of E l e c t r o n i c s (tracker/photometer) Provided
a s t r o n a u t s w i t h an automatic star t r a c k i n g and horizon
-
measurement c a p a b i l i t y .
During t h e e a r l y phases of t h e Block II development NAF? de-
'termined t h a t c o n s i d e r a b l e c o s t savings could be e f f e c t e d by de-
l e t i n g t h e Tracker/Photometer requirement. A number of O U A 8 s
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

embodying the main f e a t u r e of t h e Block I1 OUA c o n f i g u r a t i o n were

r e d e s i g n a t e d Block 1-100, These u n i t s c o n t a i n e d T r a c k e r / P h o t m e t e r
e l e c t r o n ics i n v a r i o u s stages. The Tracker/Photometer was d e l e t e d
from the Block I1 OUA's.
The f i r s t f l y a b l e (unmanned) OUAt s were selected from the
B l ~ c k1-50 group. This group was comprised of t h e l a s t f o u r OVA'S
from the o r i g i n a l Block I design. The manned f l y a b l e OUA's
were from t h e Block I1 u n i t s ,
Duxing t h e course o f t h e program t h e follcwiug u n i t s were de-
livered:
Block I OUA' s - 1 3 u n i t s during t h e p e r i o d 7/64 t o 4/65.
Block 1-100 OUA's - 8 u n i t s d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d 5/65 t o 2/66.
Block If O U A t s - 22 u n i t s during t h e p e r i o d 4/66 t o 1/69.
I n the course of AOT developmentp numerous chances were made
t o enhance i t ' s performance. The most s i g n i f i c a n t o r t h e s e were:
a. Moisture Proofing og Counter envelope -
t o p r e v e n t mois-
t u r e accumulation during humidity c o n d i t i o n , and t a pre-
v e n t fogging of t h e window.
b. Metallic Flame P r o t e c t o r - f i r e p r o o f AOT seal.
c. Added h e a t e r c a p a b i l i t y t o AOT eyepieces t o p r e v e n t
fogging of eyepiece o p t i c s .
d. -
Sun Shade e l i m i n a t e s t r a y l i g h t , and p e n n i t t h e addi?;fstn
of t h r e e u s a b l e d e t e n t p o s i t f 6 n s . .
The following A"Ti8 were d e l i v e r e d :
Breadboard - 4 units
Preproduction - 7 u n i t s
Production - 19 u n i t s

Sun p r o t e c t (high d e n s i t y ) f i l t e r s w e r e designed, developed,

and f a b r i c a t e d f o r usu w i t h t h e AOT eyepiece.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

Eyepiscee - The B l o c k I0324 configuration included eyepieces

as an i n t e g r a l p a r t of tho OUA. Each eyepiece set was o p t i c a l l y
matched to an OUA 2nd w a s d e l i v e r e d on a one-for-one b a s i s . The
Block I1 eyepieces were d e l i v e r e d as s e p a r a t e Contract End I t e m s
and w e r e redesigned t o be o p t i c a l l y interchangeable with a l l OUA8s.
I n a d d i t i o n the Block I1 eyepieces incorporated t h e following
features: quick disconnect, anti-fogging, c i r c u i t p r o t e c t .
Sun p r o t e c t (high d e n s i t y ) filters were designed, developed
and f a b r i c a t e d f o r use with SCT and SXT eyepieces.
The MDV w a s developed under t h e design cognizance of MIT. A
t o t a l of 1 2 u n i t s were f a b r i c a t e d and delivered.
The Apollo Rangefinder w a s designed, developed and f a b r i c a t e d
by Kollsman performing as a subcontractor t o AC Electronics. A
t o t a l of four rangefinders w e r e d e l i v e ~ e d .
A schedule of a l l hardware d e l i v e r i e s and r e t r o f i t s , performed
under this c o n t r a c t , i s shown i n T a b l e s 1 through 3.
 Table 1. Apollo CM Deliveries
BUYI I --NacK 1-100 UDQ 1 1 - LIVIW UZI S U M 11
--.- O!Y ZITS
o m mrrt~ rssv OPTICAL UIT A S S ~ - OPTIUI. WIT LSSY irau*c uw) --- -----
a c p x e c c scrc, morrrc; (CPWr. 6 UJUf71
011.
DLSt oa
1 KIT 6-12-69 1 CVCPIITL '57
1K I I l 6-25-69
(* 1 sc7 LCRI 2 KIiS 7-18-61
2 R C P r L C L 5RTS 1. I? 9-11-67
1 KXT 1-27-69 1- 2 StX LCR.6)
12 K I ~ 7- 3-69 1 ~ ; ? I C r s 'Z?
z rrr la-2137
1 SlT 3-13-68
1 LILPILa 512
2 OPCPIllcz 3.125
1 E Y I P I C U SET
I* i SCT X*I
1 N Z P Z t B sm
2 CYCPICCE SZCC
DU (+ 2 SCC LCl'.)
EB 2 EIBPICCE C C I S
i* 2 SCZ LOR'S)
1 KI? 11-21-68 1 XZT 6-11-68
2 CXEPIECE SETS
2 KlZd 11-25-6s L EIT 6-17-68
i z r c p z e a SEI
I KITS aa-a~-s* 1 art 6-20-68
1 CXCPIPU SEZ
1 =I? 7-12-61
1 m n x c a SET
1 KIT 7-26-6@
1 r n P I E C I : SCI
1 K R 9-448
1 LmllQ SEI
1 112 9-12-6@

-
REL
Dlizz
9-2-66
10-89-67
8-in-66
1 tfT 6-2640
9-25-68
7 XI% 7-3-48
12-21-67 1 KZT 7-3-68
3-1 3-68
an 7-16-611
8-26-66
5 KITS 7-19-611
U R 5-1-,68 1 XXT 7-26-611
LER 5-24r6I 1 KIT 8-28-68

-
mil-
(w.)
1
-
mu
DZL

1-24-69
W R
LEI
WI
6-ll-60
7-19-66
1 Pa3
1 KXT
0-304U
9-17481
b-27-60
1- 9-30411
1 1-3049 tsn 7-29-66 X KIT 1-2449
1 2-749 WII 7-3648 1U T 1-31-69
LXI 9-14-68
Lm 1 EIT 2-S-0
18-2MS 1 . R 4-149
LSP 1-20-69
ma
trn
 Table 2. Apollo LM & GSE (LM) Deliveries

umom
A.
-
BPZRDBM(CDO
WIT
1MEFMAb 88
IP%WIxCAL 88

COW-
CUraENT
WITH net

ZLUXJOQJ~
aPTICs C W l t R KIT
TRIPOD

TRXPOD
SUNSIWe A L I Q t M
m 1
RXFNIV.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

FUNCTIONAL BREAKDOWN OF ORGANIZATION

I n t h e e a r l y months of t h e development of Apollo, t h e program

was headed by a program manager whose upward charanel of communica-
t i o n w a s through t h e e x e c u t i v e s t a f f b u t w i t h direct r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
t o t h e c h i e f e x e c u t i v e . Subordinated t o t h e program manager were
t h e f o l l o g i n g f u n c t i o n s : P r o j e c t Administration, R e l i a b i l i t y ,
Q u a l i t y Assurance, P r o j e c t Engineering, S c i e n t i s t and Analysis Group
and ~ o c u m e n t a t i o n . A l l o t h e r services were s u p p l i e d by t h e c e n t r a l -
ized parent organization.
During the l a t t e r p a r t of 1962, Rollsman d e c e n t r a l i z e d i n t o
d i v i s i o n s and t h e Apollo Program manager assumed d i r e c t o r s h i p of
t h e ~pollo/LM Programs d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i b l e t o t h e General Manager,
Space Division. The Apollo/LM Program w a s a semi-autonomous opera-
t i o n . T h i s was e f f e c t e d , i n advance of t h e prime hardware imple-
mentation phase, i n order t o better meet s t r i n g e n t ApolPo r e q u i r e -
ments and g e n e r a l l y enhance program e f f e c t i v e n e s s . S i n c e t h e s o l e
f u n c t i o n o f t h e Kollsman Apollo Program o r g a n i z a t i o n was t h e execu-
t i o n of t h i s c o n t r a c t , it w a s i n t i m a t e l y s t r u c t u r e d t o be responsive
t o t h e dynamic needs of t h e program.
From i n c e p t i o n and through t h e f u l l p e r i o d of performance, t h e
Kollsman Apollo Team w a s comprised p r i m a r i l y of S e n i o r personnel
who had long t e n u r e w i t h t h e company.
I n l i g h t o f P r e s i d e n t Kennedy's stated p o l i c y f o r an accelera-
ted space program and w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e knowledge as t o NASA's
o b j e c t i v e s , t h e Apollo Program O f f i c e a t Kollsman had a sound under-
s t a n d i n g o f t h e f l a v o r of t h e program i t had t o develop and d i r e c t .
~ u c hemphasis was placed on t h e c a r e f u l s e l e c t i o n o f personnel.
A s i d e f r o m t h e obvious, t e c h n i c a l competence requirements, much
stress w a s placed on p e r s o n a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s . Q u a l i t i e s of i n t e g r i t y ,
i n n o v a t i v e n e s s , high l e v e l and s u s t a i n e d motivation c a p a b i l i t i e s ,
f l e x i b i l i t y , etc.! were of foremost importance. A s t h e program de-
veloped and i n d i v ~ d u a l sw e r e a s s i g n e d managerial a u t h o r i t y i n each
of t h e major f u n c t i o n a l areas, it was a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t t h e y would
have t o s e r v e t w o agencies. The one, of c o u r s e w a s t h e in-house
a u t h o r i t y . The o t h e r was the MIT/IL a u t h o r i t y , who by v e s t e d design
cognizance a u t h o r i t y f r o m NASA made t h e f i n a l t e c h n i c a l d e c i s i o n s
i n a l l matters related t o hardware and software. For each o p e r a t i n g
d i s c i p l i n e a t MITI t h e r e w a s a corresponding e n g i n e e r i n g manager a t
Kollsman .
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

In a d d i t i o n t o performing a s o p e r a t i n g managers, t h e s e people

were a s s i g n e d t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f s e r v i n g as t h e p r i n c i p a l ad-
v i s o r s t o t9k.e przgram manager. This d e p a r t u r e from t r a d i t i o n a l
o r g a n i z a t i o n a l concepts was done to:
a. keep t h e program manager and each group a b r e a s t o f r a p i d
developments i n a l l f u n c t i o n a l a r e a s o f t h e program, I t
provided i n s t a n t communications between groups ( e s p e c i a l l y
important because of the e x t e n s i v e i n t e r f a c e r e q u i r e d ) ,
b. b r i n g s p e c i a l i z a t i o n i n t o e x e c u t i v e d e c i s i o n making
thereby promoting c o n s i s t e n t , sound judgement.
c. e s t a b l i s h r a p i d and c o n c i s e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r a c t i o n
items .
d. reduce o r g a n i z a t i o n a l complexity which would have been
e s p e c i a l l y d e t r i m e n t a l t o t h i s type of program.
e .'"reduce a d m i n i s t r a t i v e expense,
A s t h e program progressed, a d d i t i o n a l f u n c t i o n s were brought
under program c o n t r o l f o r purposes of a c c u r a t e and r a p i d response,
By major categories, t h e s e included: Manufacturing Operations,
Configuration Management, Administrative S e r v i c e s and F i e l d Opera-
t i o n s , see F i g u r e 1. S p e c i a l Apollo Operating Procedures (AOP0s)
were prepared t o d e f i n e a l l a s p e c t s of t h e program o r g a n i z a t i o n as
w e l l as t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s between t h e program, Kollsman c o r p o r a t e
s e r v i c e s and o u t s i d e agencies. S p e c i a l c o n t r o l s were i n s t i t u t e d t o
p r e v e n t even t h e most i n s i g n i f i c a n t changes from being made w i t h o u t
program review and approval. A s an example, t h e Kollsman Engineer-
i n g Standards department prepared and maintained numerous material
and p r o c e s s s p e c i f i c a t i o n s under program guidance. S p e c i a l numbers
were a s s i g n e d for s t a n d a r d s use b u t w i t h f u l l c o n t r o l r e t a i n e d by
program. The Kollsman Machining Standards which are used by sub-
c o n t r a c t o r s a s w e l l as Kollsman shops w a s r e f i n e d and a s s i g n e d a
unique document number f o r program c o n t r o l .
Perhaps t h e s i n g l e , most d i s t i n g u i s h i n g f e a t u r e between t h e
pol lo Program and a l l o t h e r programs w a s i t s documentation; both
i n q u a n t i t y and comprehensiveness. I t transcended a l l phases of
t h e G&N program including: Mission o b j e c t i v e s and goals, Research
and Analyses, ~ n g i n e e r i n gDesign, Production, T e s t and E v a l u a t i o n
and T r a i n i n g and Use.
The comprehensive documentation w a s a major f a c t o r i n providing
clear, p r e c i s e communication and e x c e l l e n t c o n i r o l s t o a l l p a r t i c i -
p a n t s i n t h e program from t h e i n i t i a l design s t u d i e s t o t h e d e l i v e r y
of t h e l a s t f l i g h t u n i t s ,
 wASSOCIATE PROORAH MGR.

TEST EQUIPMENT
APOLLO ENGR.
I ' l I ~ l t A B tAWL.

I
I
I------
-!---------
I
APOLLO/LM APOLLO/IM
I APOLW/LM
m L D OPERAllON ADMlNlWlUTlON
PROGRAM SERVICES COm./MomCB PRODUCT ASSURANCE
WXAGER MANAGER MANAGER MANAGER
BWNAGER
, * I

-
-SITE EXGlXTERS 'APOtU) F a LU. -MIT PROJ. OFFICER -CONF. MOT. ADMM. -- MANUAL8
XA~ASMBZUTV
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-W. EKGR.

t UI FA& LU.
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-
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ENOR. RECORD C m R O L
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t SPSC-f IO)s FmAL lzsr DUSP.
M-PROCES mi.

Figure I, Apollo/LM Program Organization

 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Man has been t o t h e moon and back. The Apollo missions have
been near letter p e r f e c t . Each i n d i v i d u a l who has c o n t r i b u t e d
d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y t o t h e Apollo program i s proud of t h e men
and machines, a small p a r t of which was h i s own s p e c i a l "labor of
lovea1. AS American c i t i z e n s t h e r e is s p e c i a l p r i d e i n t h i s magni-
f i c e n t achievement. A t r u l y " g i a n t leap" rendered by a peaceful
nation i n s e r v i c e t o t h e brotherhood of man.
S h o r t l y a f t e r t h e s a f e r e t u r n of t h e f i r s t Lunar Landing Team,
it was s t a t e d t h a t now t h a t man h a s landed on t h e moon and returned,
w e can solve a l l of t h e problems of our s o c i e t y and environment.
Indeed, the success of t h e Apollo Program has proven t h a t t h e prob-
lems of our s o c i e t y are not insurmountable, and t h a t by applying
t h e u , ~ i t e de f f o r t s of a l l of o u r people and resources we can accom-
p l i s h these goals. H i ~ t o r ymay w e l l regard t h e confidence i n o u r
a b i l i t y t o accomplish thb near-impossible a s t h e Apollo Programas
most important contribution. '

Perhaps t h e one most overriding f e a t u r e throughout t h e program

which has enabled everyone t o do a proper job has been the c l a r i t y
w i t h which NASA o b j e c t i v e s , and ground r u l e s f o r meeting those ob-
j e c t i v e s , have been received a t Kollsman. A s modifications and re-
d i r e c t i o n s evolved t h e communications l i n k between NASA, AC E l e c t r o n i c s
and Kollsman operated flawlessly. I n a d d i t i o n the support and
guidance provided by AC E l e c t r o n i c s has enabled Kollsman t o maintain
a state of e x c e l l e n t management, engineering, mangfacturing and
f i n a n c i a l h e a l t h permitting complete responsiveness t o t h e needs of
t h e program.
A brief summary of t h e major milestones of Kollsman's p a r t i c i -
pation i n t h e Apollo program is a s follows:
High c a l i b e r personnel were supplied t o t h e MIL/IL r e s i d e n t
e f f o r t f o r t h e design and development of the GCN equipment. The
e f f o r t covered t h e period from J u l y 1962 through June 1966 and peak-
ed a t 26 people.
The i n i t i a l drawing r e l e a s e s of OUA Block I drawings s t a r t e d
i n Feb. 1963 and continued for a period i n excess of s i x months,
Kollsman commenced purchase of song l e a d items i n March 1963, I t
is noteworthy t h a t t h i s s h o r t turn-around was made p o s s i b l e by t h e
comprehensive design review which w a s performed by Kollsman p ~ i o r
t o drawing r e l e a s e s . Among o t h e r t h i n g s , t h e review r e s u l t e d i n
improved drawing i n t e g r i t y and e a r l y d e c i s i o n s on "make o r buy".
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

Early i n 1963, X o l l s ~ a nsubmitted SCD drawings (prepared by

i t s Standards Depaztment) t o MIT/IL f o r approval. The nature,
depth and cluaif%yef t h e i i i f ~ ~ ~ t shcm
i s i i or: thesa dravings -*I-
nu-
instrumental i n upgrading t!!~ standards of a l l SCD's f o r t h e GGN
program and t h e eventual dazfaion t o have each G&N subaontractor
prepare h i e own S C D b s .
The f i r s t 6UA t o be d e l i v e r e d under C l a s s A r e g u l a t i o n s was
AGE 3 i n February 1964. This was an O p t i c a l Evaluation Unit f o r
MIT/IL U s e .
The second u n i t (OUA AGE 1) was d e l i v e r e d i n March 1964. This
was the Thermal T e s t and Analyses u n i t and test r e s u l t s appear i n
r e p o r t No. AA-65-219, dated 5/15/65.
he t h i z d u n i t (OUA AGE 2 ) was d e l i v e r e d i n A p r i l 1964. Mech-
a n i c a l I n t e g r i t y tests were performed on t h i s u n i t between 5/15/64
and 4/15/65. Results appear i n r e p o r t N o . AA-65-223, dated 6/15/65.
lock I f drawing r e l e a s e s began a t MIT/IL ( F a l l 1964). Kollsman
precluded a r a s h of new problems by embarking on a thorough review
of a l l outstanding Block I changes and problems and t r a n s m i t t i n g
detail comments and reconmendations t o MIT/IL for incorporation
i n t o lock I1 drawings p r i o r t o release. This was done expeditiously
and e f f e c t i v e l y with no delay imposed on r e l e a s e schedules. Results
of t h i s e f f o r t a r e immeasureable i n terms of t i m e and c o s t savings.
During the e a r l y phases of Block X X production, Kollsman pur-
sued vigorous development of a l t e r n a t e sources of supply t o optimize
q u a l i t y and c o s t and t o preclude production stoppages. S i m i l a r
e f f o r t had been expended f o r t h e Block I manufacturing.

The f i r s t Block X I u n i t (redesignated Block 1-100) was d e l i v e r e d

i n May 1965. This u n i t w a s used as a Learner's Model. Kollsman
made extensive and innovative use of t h i s u n i t (and later t h e AOT
Learner's Model) f o r t h e s o l u t i o n of numerous problems t h a t would
otherwise r e q u i r e exhaustive, expensive and time consuming tests.
June 1965 saw the q u a n t i t y of Kollsman personnel working on
the pol lo program reached a peak of 570 e q u i v a l e n t people.

Throughout t h e development and manufacturing of a p o l l o hard-

ware, many design problems were encountered. Kollsman8s e x p e r t i s e
i n engineering and manufacturing and i t s closeness t o t h e problems
enabled it t o recommend f a s t and sound s o l u t i o n s t o MIT/IL fox
approval. An emergency ( p i p e l i n e ) procedure was e s t a b l i s h e d be-
tween Kollsman and MIT/IL f o r mutual agreement on a l l urgent matters.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

The emergency procedures incPuded AC Electronics during Its tenure

a s prime contractor, Implementation of t h e above eliminated numer-
ous p o t e n t i a l schedule delays and avoided unnecessary scrappage of
p a r t s , The soundness of a i l judgmentti exexcisad is exemplified by
t h e f a c t t h a t no agreement was ever overturned o r r e s u l t e d i n hard-
ware malfunction o r rework,
During the performance of t h e program, t h e state-of-the-art
was challenged and overcome many times. Volume I1 of t h i s r e p o r t
adequately demonstrates t h i s a c t i v i t y . However, w e wish t o note
t h r e e instances here, t h a t d e p i c t t h e depth of d e t a i l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s
which represent t h e t y p i c a l q u a l i t y performance axhibited by members
of t h e Apollo team throughout the grogcam, These are: L o c t i t e
Evaluatio.~T e s t Report No, AE-66-010, Preforming of Self-locking
Screws, Report No, AE-67-032 and Interferometric Measurement of
Flatness and Coplanarity of SXT Mirror Mounting Surfaces, Report
N o , AE-66-013. The f i r s t t w o s t u d i e s involve m a t e r i a l s and proce-
dures which had wide use on t h e G&N system, The s t u d i e s r e s u l t e d
i n an understanding of t h e materials, thefir a p p l i c a t i o n and use
w e l l beyond anything previously known. I t raised t h e s t a t u s ftom
general conunercial use t o s t r i n g e n t , w e l l defined aerospace require-
ments, The t h i r d study developed new interpretatfions and measure-
ment c r i t e r i a f o r i n t e r f e r e n c e f r i n g e p a t t e r n s between o p t i c a l
f l a t s i n simultaneous contact w i t h t h r e e mounting pads. A speciaP
NASA c i t a t i o n was awarded t h e engineer who authored t h i s study,
The Qualification T e s t f o r t h e OUA was performed on OUA AGE
201A during the period 2/5/66 through 9/15/66.

The following i s an Honor Roll of Kallsman equipment which

performed successfully on Apollo Missions:

Apollo OUA AOT

Fllqht E
!L! S/N
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

Kolleman's performance on Apollo was highlighted by t h e follow-

ing achievementst
c ?ulr'I&led a l l ccmkmitrttents of t h e program and underran
t a r g e t aostv by more than $1m i i l i e a ,
Consistently delivered n w a i v e ~f r e e n f l i g h t hardware.
Delivered most haxdwara on o r ahead of schedules,
Delivered state of t h e a r t hardware which performed
successfully on a l l manned f l i g h t s .
This hardware performed a l l of i t s o r i g i n a l l y intended
functions and, with use, found new appliuations,
Kollsman's p r i d e i n this equipment was g r a t i f i e d when
qpolllo 10 astronaut: Tom S t a f f o r d described it as " t h e
best gear on boardn.
Performed t o t h e letter and i n t e n t of s t r i n g e n t Apollo
progaram rbocumentation requirements. A s testimony,
Kollsman was proud t o accept AC E l e c t r o n i c s ' preaenta-
t i o n of the P r i d e i n Performance Certificate for ex-
cellence i.n Configuration Management,
a Redutced customer cost f o r spares primarily due t o
realistic, tifaally and w e l l documented spares pro-
v i s i ~ n i n g . Of p a r t i c u l a r note was t h e a d d i t i o n a l
reduation which r e s u l t e d from a comprehensive a n a l y s i s
made by Kollaman of a l l obsolete Bloek I s p a r e s as
t o the f e a s i b i l i t y of converting them t o v a l i d Block
I1 spares, This a n a l y s i s culminated i n t h e d e c i s i o n
t o convert approximately 700 Block I spare paxts i n t o
w f l i g h t worthy" Block X I spares. The calvage of these
paxts oesu1t;ed i n a aost saving of over $400,000.
e Condueted an aggremive q u a l i t y assurance c o r r e c t i v e
a c t i o n system and extensive vendor suppart which re-
s u l t e d i n reduced nonconfomances. Thia was a s i g n i -
f i c a n t factor contributing to timely deI4v2ry, maximum
u t i l i z a t i o n a t G&N l e v e l , law s p a r e s reqdS+ements,
c o s t savings and reduced support peraonnel,
Provided a w e l l t r a i n e d professional staff 0% f i e l d
support personnel. Koblaman f i e l d engineers displayed
i n i t i a t i v e , outstanding c a p a b i l i t y and t h e willingness
t o taokle any assignment a t any hour of a e day ox
night. These men on frequent orroaaionrp, received
praise from AC E ~ Q c ~ J ~ oNIT, ~ ~ cand S ~NASA inaluding,
NASA'a a p e c i a l Snoopy award fox outstanding aohiove-
ment,
 KCLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

a Responded t o urgenst. NASA r e q u e s t t o design, develop,

q u a l i f i c a t i o n test, and f a b r i c a t e Class A hardware for
t h e Apollo Rangefinder. This device was uaed f o r rendez-
vous of t h e Apollo 9 Command Module and LM. Total
elspeed time from t h e concept through d e l i v e r y of f i r s t
f l i g h t u n i t was j u s t over two months, Q u a i i f i c a t i o n
test was completed l e ~ sthan t h r e e months a f t e r s t a r t
d a t e . The f l i g h t u n i t operated s a t i s f a c t o r i l y on t h e
Apollo 9 mission i n March 1969.
e Responded t o unique f i e l d problems by t h e immediate
d i s p a t c h of appxopriate s p e c i a l i s t s t o sites and t h e
maintenance of support teams a t KoZlsman,
a The Apo3Po assembly and t e s t f a c i l i t y (white roan) m s
b u i l t a t Kollsnan's expense to provide t h e f i n e s t a v a i l -
able environmentally c o n t r o l l e d area for Apollo. Other
KolPsman funded f a c i l i t i e s such aa t h e Dual Thermal
Vacuum Chamber, Solar Simulator, Vibration Excitex and
P r e c i s i o n Beryllium Machine Shop were made a v a i l a b l e
on a t o p p r i o r i t y basis,
a The AOT Sunshade p r o j e c t was a s i g n i f i c a n t challenge.
Where most vendors r e f u s e d t o quote t h i s most d i f f i c u l t
assembly, Kollsman's model shop s u c c e s s f u l l y f a b r i c a t e d
a q u a l i f i c a t i o n test model and numerous production
u n i t s w i t h i n s t r i n g e n t d e l i v e r y schedules. The s t r i n g -
e n t s p e c i f i c a t i o n s f o r t h e Suirahade s i g n i f i c a n t l y add
t o Kollsmans design and development accomplishments.
a Kollsman management c o n t i n u a l l y demonstrated i n i t i a t i v e
i n "moving out" i n advance of a u t h o r i z a t i o n wilere
sound judgment i n d i c a t e d proguaii needs j u s t i f i e d
extraordinary action.
e A l l CAT (Configuration and T r a c e a b i l i t y ) t a p e s matched
100% correct a g a i n s t AC E f e c t r o n i c s t a p s deck o v a r the
l a s t three y e a r s of the program, This is e s p e c i a l l y
s i g n i f i c a n t s i n c e Kollsman's tape i n c l u d e s r e v i s i o n
letters and s e r i a l i z a t i o n / l o t contr,ol for a l l parfs
and assemblies.
a The longevity of i n d i v i d u a l personnel was an important
f a c t o r i n t h e success of the program. The m a j o r i t y
of people working on t h e pxogram i n 1969 were assigned
to t h e program during i t s early stages.
 KOLLSMAN INSTRUMENT CORPORATION

Kollsman's management was encouraged to use its rescurces and

know how throughout the program. Xts job was to handle technology
responsibly and focus it imaginitively toward Apollo objectives.
A climate was established in the corporate culture which put its
trust in people and encouraged imaginative actions, In retrospect
it is our judgment that Kolbsman's performance was made possible
by the following prime factors: clear, comprehensive and common
objectives, established priorities, excellent customer support,
rigid communications, good public relations, effective organization
and sound management.
The total Kollsman community is ennobled and enriched by its
participation in the Apollo program, The experience has reshaped
our mold to better meet the rising needs of the community,