Apollo Launch Escape Tower Electroexplosive Bolts

Abstract

Solid explosive detonation in direct contact with a metal body is examined to determine the energy transfer from latent chemical energy of an explosive into kinetic energy of the neighboring body structural members and spacecraft. Much of this is of an empirical nature since the time-dependent, three-dimensional problem involves extremely difficult analysis. Acoustic experiments were performed on a partially constructed spacecraft. A complete set of sound intensity maps was obtained. IntroductionThis study covers both an exploratory investigation of necessary charge and the evaluation of accompanying vibration and acoustic effects for spacecraft separation by explosive bolts. We will be concerned only with the main charge of RDX.From previous experiments reported, rough estimates were established for the range of sound disturbance intensity, which may be expected to occur within the Command Module upon separation from the escape tower. Searching the technical literature produced several papers which formed the basis for describing the sound disturbance waveform in the Command Module atmosphere. A Command Module was found which was partially assembled and suitable for acoustic experiments. Experiments were designed to form bases for establishing sound levels throughout the Command Module.