Country of Origin: Federal Republic of Germany
Dimensions:
3-D Test: 210.8 x 269.2 x 320cm, 1134kg (83 in. x 106 in. x 10 ft. 6 in., 2500lb.)
Materials:
aluminum and steel structure; MLI multi-layer thermal insulation blankets (NOMEX, aluminized mylar, gold foil, etc.)
The Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS) was a three-axis gimbaled mounting platform used on an exposed pallet in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle. It provided excellent pointing accuracy and stability for telescopes, cameras, and other scientific instruments attached to it.
The European Space Agency developed the IPS for the Spacelab program. Two IPS units were manufactured by Dornier, but only one was flown. The IPS displayed here was used on three missions: Spacelab 2 (1985), Astro-1 (1990), and Astro-2 (1995). NASA transferred it to the Museum when the Spacelab program ended.
Transferred from NASA Kennedy Space Center.
