This catalogue is organized by discrete experiments and selected pieces of equipment used or emplaced by an astronaut during the Apollo program. Part I consists of experiments performed on the lunar surface. Each of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP) experiments is listed individually in addition to a general ALSEP section. The many other experiments performed on the surface are likewise listed under their own title. Certain tools or pieces of equipment which were critical to experiment operations are also listed, since they were key to the successful performance of the task.
There are also seven experiments which were performed at micro-gravity during
the trans-lunar or trans-Earth coasts. These are collected in Part II.
Within each experiment, general information about the principal investigator and
other contacts, experiment mass and dimensions, manufacturer, and the mission(s)
it flew on is provided. The Apollo experiment number is listed, an attempt to
classify it into a discipline of study is made, and a description of the hardware and
purpose are provided. After this, a general set of questions that are operational in
nature is applied to the experiment so that the interaction of the crew with the
experiment or hardware can be understood. Not all questions make sense for each
experiment, but a standard battery of questions was applied to all with the idea that
it might trigger the recollection of some unique aspect of that operation. Many
experiments flew on more than one mission, and improvements were made for the
follow-on flights based on the difficulties experienced. A cross reference to other
similar experiments from Apollo or other efforts is also provided. Some disciplines
which continue to be studied on the Space Shuttle today are listed as a discipline
code. This code is relevant to an on-line data-base of Shuttle experiments prepared
by the Flight Crew Operations Directorate at JSC.
Part III attempts to summarize some of the general problems encountered on the surface and provides guidelines for the design of future experiments to enable easier operation. Parts I and II are intended to also be incorporated into an electronic database that can be searched using many different query types. This remains a task for the near future.