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3D Printing & Design References

A project log for Spacecraft hatch parts

Latches and hinges based on NASA Apollo designs, modelled in OpenSCAD

tobiasTobias 08/07/2023 at 12:580 Comments

I've finished designing a version of the latch that can be 3D printed, which is now underway. I'm sure I'll find some tolerance that is too tight, or some part interference, but that's just the way 3D printing goes in my experience...

In the meantime I wanted to share a couple of useful resources that I found online while researching this project. First, This page has a copy of a diagram of the Apollo hatch that shows a bit of detail how the hinges attach to the capsule - something that is missing in a lot of images online: http://heroicrelics.org/info/csm/cm-hatch.html

Next, this article from the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets titled "Review of Seal Designs on the Apollo Spacecraft" mainly focusses on the design of the hatch seals, but has some fascinating detail: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/245438272_Review_of_Seal_Designs_on_the_Apollo_Spacecraft

Lastly, this article by Lance Lininger and Kyle Gotthelf titled "Design and Test of the Orion Crew Module Side Hatch" focusses on the hatch design for the Orion spacecraft. There's a bit of comparison to the Apollo designs, but there's also a wealth of information including how the hatch lever gearbox works, and interesting problems like how the flexing of the hatch door under pressure affects the rods that open and close the latches. https://www.esmats.eu/amspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2020/lininger.pdf

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