What Specific Modifications Were Made To The Lunar Module's Descent Engine Throttle Control System Between The Apollo 11 And Apollo 14 Missions To Address The Throttle Deadband Issue That Neil Armstrong Experienced During The Eagle's Powered Descent, And How Did These Changes Affect The Overall Performance And Reliability Of The LM's Descent Propulsion System?

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The modifications made to the Lunar Module's descent engine throttle control system between Apollo 11 and Apollo 14 were primarily aimed at addressing the throttle deadband issue encountered by Neil Armstrong. Here's a structured summary of the changes and their effects:

  1. Digital Autopilot Adjustments:

    • The Digital Autopilot system was modified to increase the gain in the throttle control loop. This adjustment made the throttle more sensitive, reducing the deadband and allowing for more precise control of the engine's thrust.

  2. Throttle Response Enhancement:

    • By enhancing the throttle's responsiveness, astronauts could achieve smoother and more accurate adjustments during the critical descent phase, making the landing process safer and more controlled.

  3. Abort Gate Timing:

    • The Abort Gate was adjusted to provide the computer with additional time to respond to abort commands, enhancing the reliability and safety of the system during critical mission phases.

  4. Testing and Implementation:

    • These changes were tested and refined starting from Apollo 12, with further improvements implemented by Apollo 14. The result was a more reliable and performant descent propulsion system.

Overall, these modifications improved the controllability and reliability of the Lunar Module's descent engine, significantly enhancing the precision and safety of subsequent lunar landings.