- Sullivan, Scott P.
Virtual LM.
Burlington, Canada: Apogee Books, 2004. ISBN 1-894959-14-0.
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I closed my comments about the author's earlier
Virtual Apollo
(July 2004)
expressing my hope he would extend the project to the Lunar Module
(LM). Well, here it is! These books are based on intricate computer
solid models created by Sullivan from extensive research, then
rendered to show how subsystems fit into the tightly-packed and
weight-constrained spacecraft. The differences between the initial “H
mission” modules (Apollo 9–14) and the extended stay “J mission”
landers of Apollo 15–17 are shown in comparison renderings.
In addition, the Lunar Roving Vehicle (moon buggy) used on the J
missions is dissected in the same manner as the LM, along with the
life support backpack worn by astronauts on the lunar surface.
Nothing about the Lunar Module was simple, and no gory detail is
overlooked in this book—there are eight pages (40–47)
devoted to the door of the scientific equipment bay and the Rube
Goldberg-like mechanism used to open it.
Sadly, like Virtual Apollo, this modeling and rendering
labour of love is marred by numerous typographical errors in text and
captions. From the point where I started counting, I noted 25, which
is an unenviable accomplishment in a 250 page book which is mostly
pictures. A companion CD-ROM includes the Apollo Operations
Handbook, Lunar Module flight documents from Apollo 14–16, and
photographs of the LM simulator and test article.
February 2005 