Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!uhccux!goldader
From: goldader@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Goldader)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Differences in appearance between shuttles
Message-ID: <9102@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 23 Aug 90 18:43:28 GMT
References: <3316@syma.sussex.ac.uk> <769@idsssd.UUCP>
Reply-To: goldader@uhccux.UUCP (Jeff Goldader)
Organization: University of Hawaii
Lines: 37

In article <769@idsssd.UUCP> bruce@idsssd.UUCP (Bruce T. Harvey) writes:
>In article <3316@syma.sussex.ac.uk>, andy@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Andy Clews) writes:
>> ... a query on the Apollo command module. Several photographs that I
>> have, show the Apollo CM in pre-flight status, as being a deep metallic
>> blue colour. A few in-space pictures seem to confirm this. Is it true
>> that they were blue? And why?
>
>I believe the Apollo Command/Service Modules, while represented as being
>"white" were actually, when deployed and in service in the "ether," were
>actually a mirror-like silver -- this being a thermal shield to help 
>reflect most of the sun's energies.
>
>Netters, please point out my lies, if any.  But not to me.

I wouldn't call it a lie :-) but the "white" representations 
of the command module were true- to a point.  Until separation 
of the launch escape system (the solid rocket connected
to the command module, designed to separate the crew from the
vehicle in case of dire emergency) the command module was protected
by a conformal white shell, which jettisoned with the escape tower.
I think it might have been called the "boost protection cover" or
something like that (probable wrong...)

The actual surface of the command module was covered with highly
reflective gold foil.  I have a bunch of pictures in a book here 
showing CMs after splashdown, and the color is gold.  Because of
its ability to reflect so well, I agree it looked blue or silver
at times (heck, I've probably seen the same pictures).  The foil
was indeed for thermal control.

Jeff Goldader                        University of Hawaii
goldader@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu      Institute for Astronomy

"It was the Lone Biker of the Apocalypse..."

Disclaimer: They don't know what I say, I don't care what they think, and
we're all happy that way.