Apollo 15: The Complete Descent

Video from the channel Apollo Flight Journal about Apollo 15, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 18:08. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.

Second-by-second reconstruction of the descent and landing of the Apollo 15 lunar module Falcon. It combines the 16 mm film shot from the spacecraft during the approach and final phase, the subtitled recording of the communications between the spacecraft and Houston, and altitude and pitch data taken from a simulation, preceded by a narration explaining the descent profile.

Apollo 15 was the first of the program's last three missions, oriented toward science: the stay on the surface increased to three days, the suits were more flexible and the lunar module carried a folded electric rover. The destination was a plain on the eastern edge of Mare Imbrium, next to the crater Hadley C, surrounded by mountains and by Hadley Rille, a channel carved by lava more than 3 billion years ago. On board were Dave Scott, commander, and Jim Irwin, lunar module pilot.

To clear the mountains, the Falcon followed a steeper approach, of about 25°. In addition, the engine's elongated nozzle left only about 25 cm of clearance above the ground, so the crew wanted to shut it off before touchdown. Ignition began at an altitude of about 16 km. Program P63 guided the braking phase for about 9 minutes, and P64 the approach phase. Around 500 feet, Scott switched to P66 to pilot toward a clear area. During the descent the target was corrected by about 2,800 feet, and Houston warned they might land somewhat south of the planned point. With 6% fuel on the last readings, contact occurred and Scott announced that the Falcon was on the Hadley plain.