To alleviate Earth landing loads on the Apollo command module, a configuration was considered consisting of two bodies; namely, the command module and heat shield. The command module and heat shield are connected by an arrangement of active (oleo) and passive (crushable core) struts. The equations of motion describing the response of the vehicle for impact landings are developed for simulation on an operational analog computer. Structural and inertial properties of the vehicle are represented by normal modes of vibration in conjunction with the conventional longitudinal dynamic-stability degress of freedom. Simulation techniques and problems are discussed.
