LEM Test

Mission Summary: This mission will test the LEM in an orbital setting. The launch sequence for the Saturn 1B goes as follows. At T-3 seconds, the command for ignition will begin. Once the engine are running at full power and all else in nominal, the vehicle will be released from the pad and the ascent will begin. Once the vehicle reaches and altitude of 1 kilometer or the velocity reaches 100 meters per second, the vehicle will pitch over and continue to do so along a planned curve to create the proper orbit. Once the main stage burns out it will be jettisoned and then the second stage will take over for the rest of the ascent. The computer will then continue the ascent and will automatically insert the vehicle into a stable orbit. Once the vehicle is in a stable orbit the fairing (the nosecone that protects the payload) will jettison along with the upper stage. Once in orbit the Lunar module will go though a series of tests ranging from maneuver tests to the "fire in the hole test". The fire in the hole test involves igniting the upper ascent engine without jettisoning the lower part. This simulates an abort upon the lunar decent or if the ascent needs to be performed quickly. Once the tests are done the dummy module will just burn up in the atmosphere.