Neil Armstrong’s Miraculous Survival: The 1968 LLRV Incident

This article delves into the remarkable event of astronaut Neil Armstrong’s survival during the 1968 Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) crash. Armstrong’s quick thinking during the malfunction saved his life and led to significant design modifications in the subsequent Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV).

These vehicles played a pivotal role in the Apollo missions, aiding in the mastery of lunar landings. The legacy of the LLRV and LLTV endures, underscoring their vital contribution to one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

Table of Contents:

I. The Fateful Day at Ellington Air Force Base

– Armstrong’s Miraculous Survival

– Immediate Aftermath of the Incident

II. The Investigation and Lessons Learned

– Unveiling the Cause of the Crash

– Engineering Adjustments and the Birth of the LLTV

III. The Crucial Role of the LLRV and LLTV in the Apollo Missions

– Addressing the Challenges of Lunar Landing

– The Role of Bell Aerosystems

IV. Design and Function of the LLRV and LLTV

– Simulating Lunar Gravity

– Attitude Control and Lunar Landing Simulation

V. The Legacy of the LLRV and LLTV

– Impact on the Apollo Missions

– Armstrong’s Experience and the Success of the Lunar Landing

VI. The Remnants of the LLRV and LLTV

– Exhibits at the Air Force Flight Test Museum and the Johnson Space Center

VII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Fateful Day at Ellington Air Force Base

Armstrong was operating LLRV-1 at Ellington just prior to the accident on May 6, 1968. Barely escaping from the vehicle, he ejected just moments before its crash. After his ejection from LLRV-1, Armstrong parachuted safely to the ground, while the vehicle was seen ablaze following the crash.
Armstrong was operating LLRV-1 at Ellington just before the May 6, 1968 accident. Barely escaping from the vehicle, he ejected just moments before its crash. After his ejection from LLRV-1, Armstrong parachuted safely to the ground while the vehicle was seen ablaze following the crash. Credit: NASA.

On May 6th, 1968, an event that would be etched in the annals of space exploration history took place at Houston’s Ellington Air Force Base.

It featured NASA‘s stalwart astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, who was at the helm of a Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), a craft designed for simulating lunar landing missions.

Unfortunately, about five minutes into the flight, the LLRV began to malfunction, careening out of control. Armstrong, demonstrating remarkable quick thinking and courage, decided to eject when the vehicle was approximately 200 feet from the ground.

The LLRV, unfortunately, met a fiery end as it crashed and ignited upon impact. Armstrong, however, emerged unscathed, safely descending to the ground via parachute.

The Investigation and Lessons Learned

Left: From an aerial perspective, the wrecked Lunar Landing Training Vehicle-1 (LLTV-1) can be seen at Ellington in Houston. Right: A ground-level view offers a different perspective of the crashed LLTV-1 at the same location.
Left: From an aerial perspective, the wrecked Lunar Landing Training Vehicle-1 (LLTV-1) can be seen at Ellington in Houston. Right: A ground-level view offers a different perspective of the crashed LLTV-1 at the same location. Credit: NASA.

A rigorous investigation ensued to determine the cause of the crash. The conclusion was that a helium pressure drop had depleted the hydrogen peroxide supply necessary for the reserve attitude thrusters.

Further compounding the issue, the vehicle’s instrumentation failed to provide an adequate warning of the brewing crisis. These findings led to crucial engineering adjustments before the resumption of flights in October, using a revised version of the craft known as the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV).

The Crucial Role of the LLRV and LLTV in the Apollo Missions

The Crucial Role of the LLRV and LLTV in the Apollo Missions

One of the biggest challenges in realizing President John F. Kennedy’s dream of landing a man on the moon and ensuring his safe return to Earth was the lunar landing itself. The LLRV, and its successor, the LLTV, were instrumental in equipping Apollo astronauts with the skills needed to navigate the final descent onto the moon’s surface. The LLRV and LLTV, built by Bell Aerosystems under a NASA contract, were designed to replicate the Lunar Module’s (LM) performance.

Design and Function of the LLRV and LLTV

These vehicles, with their open-framed structure, utilized a downward-pointing turbofan engine to offset five-sixths of the vehicle’s weight, effectively simulating lunar gravity.

Additionally, they featured LM-like thrusters for attitude control, allowing astronauts to practice maneuvers and landings akin to those on the lunar surface while still on Earth.

The Legacy of the LLRV and LLTV

Staff members are relocating LLRV-2 from the Armstrong Flight Research Center for its exhibition at the Air Force Test Flight Museum located at Edwards Air Force Base.
Staff members are relocating LLRV-2 from the Armstrong Flight Research Center for its exhibition at the Air Force Test Flight Museum located at Edwards Air Force Base.

The LLRV and LLTV’s significant contribution to the Apollo missions can’t be overstated. Despite the LLRV incident, Armstrong and other astronauts continued to train using the LLTV, garnering valuable experience that proved critical in successful moon landings.

Armstrong himself credited the LLTV for the LM Eagle’s successful landing on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.

The Remnants of the LLRV and LLTV

Today, the surviving LLRV-2 can be viewed at the Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base (on loan from the Armstrong Flight Research Center).

At the same time, the remaining LLTV-3 is displayed at the Johnson Space Center, suspended over the lobby of the Teague Auditorium.

These exhibits serve as a testament to these vehicles’ vital role in achieving one of humanity’s most significant accomplishments: landing a man on the moon.

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A photograph from 1964 captures the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), playfully referred to as the "flying bedstead," during its flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This vehicle was utilized by NASA to replicate the lunar landings of the Apollo missions. The Apollo 11 Commander, Neil Armstrong, had a narrow escape in one of these vehicles in 1968, managing to eject just moments before it crashed. Image credit goes to NASA.
A photograph from 1964 captures the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV), playfully referred to as the “flying bedstead,” during its flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This vehicle was utilized by NASA to replicate the lunar landings of the Apollo missions. The Apollo 11 Commander, Neil Armstrong, had a narrow escape in one of these vehicles in 1968, managing to eject just moments before it crashed. Image credit goes to NASA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What was the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV)?

A1: The LLRV was a unique vehicle designed and built by NASA and Bell Aerosystems to simulate lunar gravity and the Lunar Module’s performance. It allowed astronauts to practice maneuvering and landing on the lunar surface while still on Earth.

Q2: What happened to Neil Armstrong while piloting the LLRV in 1968?

A2: On May 6, 1968, while piloting the LLRV on a simulated lunar landing mission, the vehicle malfunctioned and went out of control. Armstrong, displaying quick reflexes, decided to eject approximately 200 feet from the ground. The LLRV crashed and burned on impact, but Armstrong parachuted safely to the ground, suffering no injuries.

Q3: What caused the LLRV crash in 1968?

A3: An investigation revealed that a loss of helium pressure caused a depletion of the hydrogen peroxide used for the reserve attitude thrusters. The LLRV’s instrumentation also did not provide sufficient warning about this adverse situation.

Q4: What were the consequences of the LLRV crash?

A4: The crash led to several engineering adjustments, including vehicle warning system enhancements. After these adjustments were made, flights resumed in October 1968 with an updated version of the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV).

Q5: How did the LLRV and LLTV contribute to the Apollo missions?

A5: Despite the incident with the LLRV, the LLTV provided valuable training to the Apollo astronauts, enabling them to master the intricacies of landing on the lunar surface. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, credited his successful landing to his training experience with the LLTV.

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