Comments by "MRA" (@yassassin6425) on "CONTACT LIGHT: The Story of Apollo 11" video.

  1. Understand TLI and orbital mechanics then come back when you are ready.
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  2. Presumably you know about the snapped switch and the biro pen?
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  3.  @kensuccii  Actually it was a felt tip with a pressurised cartridge so that it can function in weightlessness. Clambering back into the LEM after EVA was an ordeal in their cumbersome suits and a tight squeeze. It was discovered that during this Aldrin had inadvertently hit a circuit breaker with his PLSS backpack. Essentially this rendered the switch (ENG ARM) that primed/activated the upper ascent engine useless. Although they did not think the circuit breaker would trip on liftoff, you certainly would want to be doubly sure so they used a pen. Aldrin activated the inside switch to engage the circuit breaker and trigger the engine.
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