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Apollo 16 LRV Seatbelt

Copyright © 2005 by Eric M. Jones.
All rights reserved.
Last revised 6 June 2005.

The images below were captured by Ulli Lotzmann - with permission from Mark Gray, from digital versions on Disk 1 of the Spacecraft Films Apollo 16 Complete Downlink Edition - of 16-mm film taken during the 4 April 1972 LM/LRV checkout. Note that because , on Earth, the suits are more compressed than they will be in the weaker lunar gravity field, belt length and fit were checked in 1/6th-g aircraft flights. I do not know if the same belt length was used in the LM/LRV checkout. If so, the belts would have been a bit looser than on the Moon.

John Young holds his seatbelt
Charlie Duke (left) watches John Young prepare to fasten the CDR's seatbelt. The long metal hook at bottom center will hook over the side handrail.
John pulls belt across his lap
With guidance from Charlie, John uses the box containing the latching mechanics to pull the belt across his lap.
John positions hook
John puts the belt hook on the side handrail.
John pulls latch lever up
John pulls the latch lever up.
John seats latch lever
John seats the latch lever.

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