PI/Engineer: See individual exp'ts
Other Contacts: See individual expts
Apollo Flight Nos.: 11
Apollo Exp't No. Included S 031, S 078
Discipline: Several
Weight: See individual exp'ts
Dimensions: See individual exp'ts
Manufacturer: Bendix
Description/Purpose:
This name was given to the combination of the PSEP and the LRRR. It was two separate units that were merely carried out to the same site together. Little reason (other than ALSEP program delay) exists for combining them together under one name - EASEP was put together when it was apparent that the ALSEP program was running behind and would not be ready for the first landing. Furthermore, the margins needed for the first landing would almost certainly have "bumped" a heavier unit such as a full ALSEP, and the EVA time available on the first landing would probably not have been adequate to deploy one.
Unloading from the LM: no comments by crew.
Transporting by foot or MET: carried by hand, suitcase style.
Loading/unloading tools/exp'ts on LRV: NA
Site selection:
The two experiments were to be placed away from the LM on a generally level area. The operational limit on A-11 constrained the deployment distance somewhat.
Deploying experiment: See individual exp'ts
Check-out of experiment: See individual exp'ts
Operation of experiment: See individual exp'ts
Repairs to experiment: See individual exp'ts
Recovery/take-down of experiment: NA
Stowing experiment for return: NA
Loading/unloading samples on LRV: NA
Loading of exp't/samples into the LM: NA
Stowing of package once in the LM: NA
Sampling operations - soil, rocks: NA
Trenching: NA
Raking: NA
Drilling: NA
Coring: NA
Navigating/recognizing landmarks: NA
Were there any hazards in the experiment?
i.e. hazardous materials (explosive, radioactive, toxic), sharp objects, high voltages, massive, bulky, tripping hazards, temperatures? No.
Was lighting a problem? No.
Were the results visible to the crew? Just level and alignment.
Would you recommend any design changes? None made by crew.
Were any special tools required? No.
Was the orientation of the experiment (i.e. horizontal/vertical) important? Difficult?
The leveling device did not function properly on the PSEP; a metal ball (bebe) in a concave cup rolled too much to be useful in leveling.
Was the experiment successful? Yes.
Were there related experiments on other flights? See ALSEP - general.
Where was it stored during flight? LM Scientific Equipment Bay
Were there any problems photographing the experiment? No.
What pre-launch and cruise req'ts were there?
power, thermal, late access, early recovery?
What was different between training and actual EVA? No comments by crew.
What problems were due to the suit rather than the experiment? No comments by crew.
Any experiences inside the LM of interest from the experiment/operations viewpoint? No.
References:
A-11 Preliminary Science Report
The thermal control designs of EASEP is discussed in Apollo Experience Report # 17 - Thermal Design of Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package
Apollo Scientific Experiments Data Handbook, JSC-09166, NASA TM X-58131, August, 1974, in JSC History Office.