These are components from a payload inventory originally intended for the University of Iowa package to be flown on Vanguard and the early Explorer satellites. They include components for an on-board tape recorder, in a box shipped to George Ludwig from the State University of Iowa Instrument Shop. They were in George Ludwig's possession since they were built in the late 1950s. Donated by Dr. George Ludwig in 2006.
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This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.