The Command Module was only about 12 feet in diameter and the Lunar Module was about the same size. How does anyone stay in such a cramped space for 7 days? The entire Command + Lunar Module is probably smaller than the size of my living room.
shareThey trained for months in a simulator that size so they would be able to move through it by memory.
shareRight but they didn’t live in the simulator for 7 straight days. I just know I would be bouncing off the walls if I had to stay in such a cramped space for that amount of time
shareMe too, but those guys underwent extensive psychological evaluations, so it was known that they could tolerate the conditions.
shareThey were pilots who were used to cramped conditions in a cockpit, even if it was for hours and not days. While on the mission, they were kept rather busy except while trying to sleep. Being busy means it is much easier to cope with a small space than just waiting for the mission to end.
I know this from being on a submarine for months at a time while underway. But a person can actually walk around on a sub though.
Having said that and I don’t know if this was ever addressed but what happens if someone has to fart? They can’t just roll down the windows to let it out and if you hold them in for 7 days you could have some medical problems. I would imagine that cabin would be reeking, not to mention the buildup of methane gas can’t be good for anything.
shareThey have to live with the smell. Borman was sick on the way to the Moon in 1968 on Apollo 8; diarrhea and vomiting. I'm sure it reeked, but they got used to it.
The Navy swimmers who assisted them from the capsule told them they stunk badly. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/moon-apollo-8-insider-stories/