Apollo Lunar Communications

Abstract

The Apollo unified S-band system was developed to handle ranging, telemetry, and voice data using one carrier. Television is transmitted in another mode with the same system. Frequent references are made to the unified S-band system in this report because other systems must work in conjunction with it; however, no description is provided because the S-band system is discussed thoroughly in numerous other reports. The astronauts must coordinate their activities on the lunar surface, and communications are required between them as well as between them and Mission Control Center. A VHF system that has performed excellently in providing voice and telemetry information for lunar-surface use is described in this report. Interest in television has progressed from casual to intense as the Apollo Program has matured; technology has evolved to provide color presentations using the same RF system that was once limited to black-and-white transmissions. The cameras that were developed for both black-and-white and color transmissions are described. Future lunar-surface operations will require traverses too long to be accomplished easily on foot. A system that permits long-range communications from a motorized vehicle on the lunar surface is described. Finally, brief descriptions of several communications-related lunar-environment experiments that have been proposed for the Apollo Program are discussed.