Located just to the left of center, this Crew Safety Control Panel would be accessible to the Commander (e.g., Neil Armstrong) in the left seat, with the abort handle at his left hand. It is the newest addition to the space collection at work, arriving today.

This Block I Command Module main display panel 16 with switch banks for the “Abort System,” “Reaction Control System” and “Main Chute Release” was used in the Egress Trainer, with a gift presentation label reading, “‘Abort Not—Waste Not,’ from NASA-MSC Troops to Paul Kruppenbacher, Capt. USAF, August 26, 1971,” signed by members of the Apollo Flight Operations Directorate, Landing and Recovery Division. Kruppenbacher’s principal job at NASA was to configure the Apollo Water Egress Trainer. He participated in assisting Apollo 7 to 15 primary and backup crews during their training.

ABORT SYSTEM switches on the top row:
• OX DUMP switch is placed on AUTO during first minute of boost to enable rapid dumping of reaction control subsystem pro¬pellant in case of an abort; RCS CMD position used afterwards to enable dumping sequence by firing unused propellant through reaction control engines.
• 2 ENG OUT switch on AUTO activates the emergency detection system for an automatic abort if two booster engines fail; operates only during boost.
• LV RATES on AUTO activates the emer¬gency detection system for auto¬matic abort if launch vehicle rates are excessive; operates only during boost.
• Redundant TWR JETT switches start jettisoning of launch escape tower; tower normally is jettisoned automatically shortly after first stage separation.

REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM switches on second row:
• EDS switch On AUTO, prepares the emer¬gency detection system for auto¬matic abort; the system is part of the launch vehicle and operates only during boost.

PARACHUTE on third row:
• MAIN CHUTE RELEASE switch which is electrically activated when CM descends to 10,000 feet and main parachutes are deployed. Spring¬ loaded to down position, it is used only after splashdown, to release main parachutes from command module.
Anyone able to help decode the other ones?

4 responses to “Apollo Command Module Block I Abort Panel”

  1. Location in Block I control deckApollo 4 config Water Egress Trainer in action Boilerplate-1102A Command Module Egress Trainer in the Gulf of Mexico during Apollo recovery test operations, with sea dye deployed and flotation bags inflated.

  2. Beautiful stuff. Thank you for sharing these images. Notice the delivered article has what looks like aircraft grade toggle switches and the drawing shows "bat handle" switches.

    When the pandemic is over, you might enjoy a visit to Apex Surplus in Sun Valley.

  3. yes… and looking at the backside more closely, the Main Parachute Release switch has residual solder from being wired up but the others don’t. Perhaps this is another clue that is was for CM Egress Trainer use only (where that is relevant for the recovery sequence training, and the others are launch sequence related.

  4. Hi!
    This photo is great.
    I use this photo as the cover image for an article here: editor.leonh.space/2021/svelte-quickstart-15/ .
    And I wanna say thank you!

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