(- (NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

DECLASSIFIED BY: C/IART . 

DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION 

OPl'O-HECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEERING 

ME-45 

2 August 1971 

TO: Distribution 

FROM: L. B. Molaskey 

SUBJECT: Recovery of RV #3 - Meeting at .MWC. 7/30/71 

The following is a report on the meeting held at MWC in support of the planning---

for the recovery of RV #3 .from the ocean floor. 

Attendees: 

Agenda: 

ssc 

HQS 

MWC 

MWC 

MWC 

MWC 

EK 

Although no ~onna1 agenda was provided it was agreed to review the detail plans 

discussed at HQS (to bring MWC up to date) and to provid~ whatever new data had been 

generated or obtained to date. Also to discuss possible methods for attaching the 

payload to the recovery hook or cable. 

Discussion: 

·MWC's refined estimate of the impact conditions are: 

A. Velocity at impact 450 ft/sec 

450 (.6818) = 306.81 miles/hr. 

B. Shock at impact 2600 Gs 

C. Weight at start of descent in water 1051 pounds 

D. Buoyant weight at sea level 550 pounds total 

E. Buoyant weight of payload less 

RV = 246 to 270 pounds 

(,J '\ ,. ....... ~., - -.. , ,X . _ j ... ~ •• ~~. . 

- 1 -
( H:< :r':. v. !}:. (NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

V/C,J.::lt/(; Pl.X:R. DES11.0Y DECLASSIFIED BY: C/IART 

,--Cil CC ~,~ T;; C)L L Y DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 ~ULY 201 iIi __ 

MWC's EstUnate of Impact conditions, cont. 

F. Calculated descent rate in water (terminal velocity) Vt = 10 to'lS ft/sec ~C); 

11.5 ft/sec (SSC). These rates are based on assuming a spherical shape in the 

G. 

water and drag coefficients - Reynolds number relationships derived from', the 

data provided in Attachment I. (Reference: Boundary Layer Theory -

Dr. Hermann Schlichting - 1960, McGraw-Hill Book co., Inc.) 

Kenetic Energy ::= 1/2 MV2 

assuming w = 1051 # 

Vt = 14 ft/sec . 

E - ! (1051) (14) 2 = 3210 ft # 

- 2 32.2 

H. Descent t~e approxUnation (assuming constant v

t from surface to the bottom 

which is understood to be "over simplification" of the real case) 

'n 14,400 

T = V = 14(60) = 17.2 minutes 

I. Sequence of structural failure: 

At Z 30G Takeup Beryllium Shaft broke at both ends separating the 

payload from its mounting in the RV structure. 

At ~50G The heat shield broke away from pressure canister. 

At X 300G The pressure canister buckles (a cross sectional profile of the 

pressure canister is provided in Attachment II.) 

At ~ 2600G The pressure canister is assumed to be "hydro-dynamically 

molded" to the payload in the nose of R.V. Consensus of opinion is that the 

R.V. and payload will be all in one piece with holes or tares in the pressure 

canister. 

Considerable discussion was held on how to attach the lifting cable to the 

R.V. on the bottom. MWC indicated that the parachute bridle (See Attachment III), 

similar to observed failures during the development program, would have separated 

at the apex leaving three individual straps, with loo~e ends, attached to the R.V. 

structure. They also pOinted out that there was little chance of any remaining 

- 2 -

( 
___ ..;....-..... '.'_'RO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

DECLASSIFIED BY: C/IART 

DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

load path from the RV aft structure to the TU since the beryllium shaft 

undoubtedly broke. The use of a net, which could be laid on the ocean floor 

with long cables to the primary hook was discussed. The manipulator could be 

used to roll or lift the payload into the net and attach the rings on the net 

cables to the lifting hook. See Attachment IV. 

It was suggested that Vise-grip type pliers or clamps on the end of cables 

be used to attacll to the parachute bridle. This was discarded because .oiL thE!_ 

lack of load path within the RV and the comp~exity of activating so small a 

component. -. 

A plunger inserted into the dr~ue mortar hole was suggested and rejected 

because of the same type of problems. 

The primary choice is to use a mechanism similar to a "hay hook" which 

is secured to the lifting cable and when activated would surround the entire 

payload pro~iding a basket to lift the unit. See Attachment V and Va. 

The net and "hay hook" approaches will be discussed with the operations 

people (U.S. Navy) for their comments and suggestions. The question of who 

will supply the hardware involved is still open at this time. 

The container to be ~ed to transport the recovered payload also presents 

somewhat of a problem. Ideally it should be large enough to contain the 

payload package, the lifting apparatus, and the transfer net and canvas (Ref. 

ME-44, dated 27 July 71). It must be light and water tight and capable of 

being transported by aircraft and truck. A size restriction, imposed by EK, 

was identified. It must be able to pass through a door 71 inches wide and 

81 inches high. Attachment VI shows the approximate size and weight of 

such ,a container. 

- 3 -

l .': ~ . !'"" • (".",!.~ - ... , 

. '" . 

r 
( 

NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

DECLASSIFIED BY: C/IART 

DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 JULY 201 

Each of the contractors were asked to check the availability of such a 

container. 

Additional operating constrafnts concerning the container, suggested by 

EK, were: 

A. The temperature should be maintained below 80°F at all times - no constraint 

on low temperature. 

B. A drain plug is required. (EK plans to save the water for ~se during despooling.) 

c. It should be capable of being. transported by hand truck in the despooling 

facility or have its' own wheels. 

In the dark despooling r.oom the container will be emptied and the sea 

water saved for use in the despooling operation to keep the stack wet. The 

payload will be lifted out of the container, the canvas and lifting "apparatus 

removed and the unit set up for disassembly. 

_.-. - - _.-

-------------=-:..~~~---
r ,. 

( f ' ,.~ .. !..t;-. -1· 

,X ... 7-~ '_ .L.. .-RO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

VIC:'; <!~:G ~'.~.~'~~, !:.£5TRO&CLASSIFIED BY: C/IART . 

OR (ON~·R0r. BY DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

It is expected that all the pyros in the RV will have fired or will be 

otherwise safe. 

Other related data, reported here for the record, was also discussed. 

The data is listed as follows: 

A. It: is estimated to requ.ire 3,000 pounds force to lift the payload out of the 

water • 

. B. The heat shield,_ during a test, experienced 310G when impacting the water 

at 156 ft/sec. 

c. The takeup shaft broke on the keyway side at 30G in the water impact test. 

D. The flight recovery sequence is illustrated in Attachment VII. 

E. The latest schedule, predicated on the availability of the search ship, is 

that the search will start the first week in October. 

The next pha~e of the effort will be to review progress to date with the 

operations people and to provide additional data on light levels at the transfer 

depth. Also, investigation of potential shipping containers is required. 

A summary of the hardware requirements is as follows: 

A. At tachment fixture to fix the payload to the lift cable. 

B. Transfer net and light shield for lifting the payload out of the water. 

C. Shipping container. 

D. Disassembly stands and tools for the despooling operation (EK supplied). 

~6t~?~ B: Molaskey 

LBM/cb 

cc: M. F. Maguire (w. encs.) 

H. Robertson " 

R. W. Jones " 

C. Karatzas " 

P. Petty " 

R. Roylance " 

J. Braddon II 

- 5 - 'i~· s· ... ~;-. -~ 1· ,.I : ..... ~ ..... ~ 

i 
I 

I 

•• 

(' NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

E Q. .... :z: DEC.LASSIFIED BY: C/IART Hx 5E~XtT DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

WORKING PAPfit, DESTROY 

OR CONTROL BY . 

. -------------~----•• ~. ~----... ~----.. ------.......................... m. .... 'C'~~_ "C:';lp __ d.· "-.. 

16 .L Outline of Buid motioD with fiictioa 

Fig:. 1.6 reprodllces photographs of the stream·linH about circular cylinders in oil 

taken by F. Homann [6]. They gi~e a good jdea of th,,: chan~ in the deld of 1Iow 

~iated mth '\"arious RE'~-nolds numlx-rs. For smaU Rt':rnol~ numbers the wake 

is laminAr. but at increasing Reynolds numbers at drst ~elY regular ~ortex patteros, 

I-~ 

F"~. 1.". Drag eoeficient lorcin:uJar cyJ.iDden .... ftmctiOA of the Re)'DOldI Damber 

J • I 

, 

J 

I 

F 

k 

n 

a 

d 

n 

IE 

a. 

i. 

d 

A 

d: 
3?88 

(' -/3.0-.....-1 -:hh,Ll E05C--,;,/ 

(:5Ht:l.t.. 74PEI2r=.o C,t)NI67.E ic') _~-~~MRrt ;.. 6C)(oJTG. . 

...---+--.- ~.tJ VIA. 

! 

130405. RIVeTS .. .. /" SPI7CIIVG, 

------ ----:-- ---

?iNt:,i:f!< 

....::T~peK!.1 

~<p 11"305000 

Z9. 4",;, .. _- ~. 'GLL. ,elSSEJ.w1SL.Y ~A.M~~reR. 

I .-.. :/~ 0505 A-n- ._. ~w3 _ . ':r..~/N'.a,. 

21.08 

__ L12ZlJCo.Z..~~71RElls...-:;·_-~~~····-· 

NoN E.··;;;;,;·\v,Q7Et< I N?P"4:;r ... _ ._ . 

3"lI.~ -d . Eo:;e: ,.,.1..11 .... /6 tV ::S,t./,.e:: ~ "I ,"_._ j;;;i'4~_ .-. .. ' #_ •. • . .-.., ....... 

':ZCJN/ /<'/·"';,17 c..O.QO::S 

;Jx IBL. CO.""1P.2e:::f610/V IAI' ~J..!,E/"_l .. 

4.( I3A:5:, 

o APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

CLASSIFIED BY: C/IART 

CLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

:_.B-7TI4CHM eAl r ... IL __ . 

WOP~IHG Po.).~t~. ~)cSfROY' 

0::', ('O.'~I::~C_ ...;, __ _ 

1 
HA IN P {,RACHU TE 

SUSPE~SION LINES 

!.i,l\I N PAR /\ C II UTE S ~1I VEL 

" 

TRACY-HIG AND 

TELEMETRY ANTENNAS 

(TYPICAL 2 PLACES) 

PARACHUTE HARNESS 

(BrIDLE ~SSE~BLY) 

/\ iT t\OmUa F ITT'! NGS 

(TYPICAL 3 PLACES) 

,. '. t .-0 APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

Hx Si:CRET. DECLASSIFIED BY: C/IART 

. vVOn:CNG pt..PER, rR~fSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201. 

OR Cbrri-~CL BY _--

POWER REMOVAL SWITCH 

(REMOVES ALL ELECTRICAL 

PORT' 

44.5 IN. 

G !\SE T H Er{r·~ 1\1. ' / 

PROTECTION PANELS~ 

H '-'r('~ r;"I" X S.,· .... t. .. T 

WO~KlNG PAPER, DESTROY, 

OR 'ONTROL BY " -

r 
-. ( 

, . _I"'"' r:- •. _ r 

; .... '.- ~ . . - ",-qr.OY ......... ~ .. -;,,; ~ .. : ~. ;,.,:", .. .... ._ 

"';'-'''J' 

~ ," I .' ... 

6'/ _-

• _._ ...•.•. f_ 

j 

/ 

" 

....... - .". -... 

" 

ftlitOiAPPROVED FC)R RELEASE 

DECLASSIFIED BY; C/IART 

DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 .JULY 201 

. '~. 

-'. 

'-~ ...... r I"" ~7 ....... • J. '" ..... ' .• 

V'.: 10,., • • ••• ' ••• ::. :.·::T!~T)Y 

O~ C("i:.i •.. · '_ ;,1 .. __ .. __ _ 

! 

; 

. --

I f: 

·f 

! 

J 

J 

j 

i • 

• 

· i 

'r ! 

i 
~1 Q 

~ ") 

\' '<) 

. \, 

... -.~.- ........ _--_.-_ .. ~ ~ .. 

~ 

.~ 

tf) 

NIlO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

DECLASSIF,ED. By': q/IART. 

DECLASSIFIED ON: 25 JULY 201 

I . 

". ,-

, 

.~.' .•• - ._ ... _:_ .• __ •••.• _.". ____ 0_··. __ ._ .•.. ____ •. ____ •..• __ ~ ..•. _. __ ._. __ .•.•. ___ .. , 
'" I 1--------

f/:JUN pp..af~C'~UTe r:r;Ptovr~~rl;!Y: S~QUE~aCr: 

r DROGUE , i'.;t:

11.8 IX\;;:? J 

-'--_V' 

PRE-"!AIN 

.RELEASE 

~ "'" 

. , 

" 

THERloiAL COVER' 

RELtASE. 

MAIN SAG 

,DEPLOYMENT 

LIIZY 

LEG 

PARACHUTE , BAG 

LAZY lEG 

CONE·BAG 

PARACHUTE 

IN REEFED 

CONDITION 

SEPARATION FROM enUTE ' . AT LINE STRETCH 

9'2.3 

., 

~mcovm~\~' . ~ SUgSY$l~m 

DEPLOY ACCELERATION, DESTnUCT_DROGUE DnOGUE---", 

O----S\'ITCH ACCELERATION 45 SEC SIVITCII"-INHIBIT. ,MORTAR PARACHUTE TO DECREASE INCREASE 

. ' 

HEATSHIELD 

r

--..;..-------JETTISOIl 

II SEC BAltOmTCH DROGUE CIIUTE DEPI.OY. 4 SEC TO 

TD ~ e52 l). DISCC)!rtEC"r - MAm PARACIIUTE . I 

", Z CHEQ,D) PACK • 

• . .. 

'CONE BAG MAIR CHUTE 

t:h\ 

'-___ J\£EFmG _______ T~~~~T REEFINO· .:. ~~I~ .. __ $ 

COIHeAl Exn::"iIOH 

CDS .2illen 

MAIN CA!:OflV: 

flO!.mu,J. !lU, 011 .. au FT 

VEIIT CIA. • T.2 FT 

NO. OF [lORES .• $ 

flEEFIliG LIIIE LEIIGTH .. 33. 

TAnGET COilE: 

TO"',L IIEIGitT .. )4,T 

SLOTllCIGHT ... 

DASE O:A 

CROY;II DlA 

SUSPEIISIOlh 

~ 12 FT 

.. 10 FT 

LINE LEliGTlI •• S6.S FT 

l' 4 LiliES ~ 6011 LD STitEUOTH 

.H> .,52lIlIES(ll3l)O La STRENGT • 

-. 

,,: