Apollo 14 Docking Ring

[motsnob]

I saw that the Apollo 14 docking ring was being auctioned at Bonhams

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publ...temNo=4565249&iSaleNo=17778&iSaleSectionNo=1#

However I thought the docking ring was jettisoned with the LM by pyrotechnic detonation.

http://www.ibiblio.org/apollo/Apoll...OCK II Volume 1 19691015/aoh-v1-2-13-dock.pdf

See figure 2.13-11 and paragraph 2.13.3.1

Surely this can't be the space flown item - or was the ring somehow retained due to earlier docking problems?

 

[onesmallstep]

No, the docking ring was an integral part of the command module. It routinely came back to earth with the rest of the command module and the crew on all Apollo missions. If you read the article you posted the link to, it explains all of that and how this ring was removed from the CM for investigation into the problems encountered during A14's attempt to dock with the LM. It was never re-installed in the command module, and is why it exists today as a separate component...available for auction. The article you posted is really very interesting, you should read it!

The diagram you reference in the Apollo Operations handbook shows both CM and LM components together, but the docking ring is clearly labeled (CM), meaning it is a component of the command module (CM), not the lunar module (LM) Perhaps this is what lead to your confusion.

BTW, I would love to be the winning bidder and hang it in my den. :mrgreen: