sources of information are: (1) the official !'Jational Aeronautics and
Space Adm.inistration reports (see references), (2) transcripts of press
discussions durinp, a.nd following the missions, (3) mission conunenta1'i~s
released syste~aticqlly to t~e press during the missions, (4) transcripts
u£ astronaut reports based on tapes made shortly after return from the
mission, (5) personal notes made by me during scientific briefings and
debriefing of 'l~ .... astr':>nauts, and (6) conversations with ",any of the
astronauts.
2. ~SpaC'ecratt a.:s an Observatoll
The conditio'ns under which astronauts ;~,de their observations are
similar to tho:;,; wl)ich would be enl'ountered by on~ 1")1' two persons in the
front seat of a small C,l!" having no side or rear windows ~",d a partially
covered, smudg~d windshield.
The dimensions and confi~uratiofl of th6 o;pacecraft Windows; which
are inclinec\ 30 0
t.owards the astronauts" are given in Figure 1. The
windows are small and permit only a limited forward (with respect to
the astronauts) view of the sky. The sphere of view around a capsule
in space containu 41,253 squRre degrees, but the astronauts are able
to see only 1200 square degrees or about 3% of that sphere; and only
6\ of 3 hemisphere. The spacecraft can be turned to enable the astro-
nauts to see ~ different ared than the one they face, but fuel must
be conserved and m~leuvers were not usually made simply to provide a
better or different view. In effect, therefore, 94% of the solid
angle of spac~ around the capsule WIS, at any given moment, out of
view of the spacecraft occupants.
In addition to this restricted field 0f Vision, the windows
themselves were never entirely clean, and the difficulties imposed
by the scattering of li~ht from deposits on the window were severe.
TIH' deposi t~ apnarently occurred during the firjng of third-stage
rockets, when gases were swept pest the windows. AttemptR were made
to eliminate the smud~ing hy use of temporary COVl1TS jettisoned once
274
sources of infomHtion are: (1) the official l'ational Aeronautics and
Space Adm.inistration reports (see references), (2) transcripts of press
discussions dudnp. and following the missions, (3) mission commentaries
released syster.latic'lily to tlle pross during the missions, (4) transcripts
!J£ astronaut reports based on tapes made shortly after return from the
mission, (~) per~onal notes made by me durjng scientific briefings ~nd
debriefing of t> astronauts, and (6) conversations with J1'any of the
astronauts.
2. ~_ Spac-ecrctj't ..'\3 an Observatoll
Th~ conditions under whjch astronauts ,;~~de their observations are
similar to thos'; wl)ich would be cm'ountered by on~ "'1' two persons in the
front seat of (l small c •• ! having no side or rear windows <:'id a partially
covered, smudged windshield.
The dimensions and configuration of th6 o;pacecraft windows, which
are incline(\ 30° towards the astronauts, are given in Figure 1. The
Idndows are small and permit only a limited forward (with respect to
the astronauts) view of the sky. The sphere of view around a capsule
in space contain~ 41,253 squRre degrees, but the astronauts are able
to sec only 1200 square degrees or about 3% of that sphere; and only
6% of :I hemisphere. The spacecraft can be turned to enable the astro-
nauts to see :;\ different arctl than the one they face, but fuel must
be conserved and malleuvet's were not usually made simply to provide a
better or different view. In effect, therefore, 94% of the solid
angle of space' around the capsule WitS, at any giveJl moment, out of
view of the spacecraft occupants.
In addition to this restricted field ~f Vision, the windows
themselves We'l'Cl never entirely clean, and the difficulties i.mposed
by the scatteriJlg of light from deposits on the window were severe.
The deposit!1 apnarently occurred during the firing of third-stage
rockets, when ga~es were swept pest the winduws. AttemptA were mude
to eliminate the smud~inR h)' lise of temporary covers )!:ttisoned once
274