The Apollo spacecraft contained a separate, inertial guidance and navigation system that enabled its crew to navigate from Earth orbit to the Moon and back. It consisted of three principal parts. One was an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which contained gryoscopes and accelerometers that established a base position and attitude for the craft. The second was an optical unit, including a sextant, which allowed the astronauts to update the IMU's settings based on sightings of stars and planets. The third was a digital computer.
This artifact is part of the Command Module's Sextant. It is an unflown back-up specimen.
NASA transferred this object to the Museum in 2001.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Guidance & Control
Manufacturer
Kollsman Instrument Company
Dimensions
3-D (L x W x H) (in storage box): 46 × 25.5 × 25.5cm (1 ft. 6 1/8 in. × 10 1/16 in. × 10 1/16 in.)
Materials
Metal plate, with glass optics
Inventory Number
A20010305001
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA, Johnson Space Center
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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