This Input-Output Console computer was used from 1967 through 1990 at the U.S. Air Force's Satellite Control Facility, in Sunnyvale, California. In the field, consoles similar to this one gathered data and forwarded the information to Sperry 1230-series computers for processing. They operated in "real time" around the clock, as part of a system that controlled and operated Air Force, NASA, other government, and commercial satellites. They also supported Space Shuttle missions.
The 1230-series of machines was manufactured by the St. Paul, Minnesota, division of Sperry Univac, and was a military version of the UNIVAC 490 general purpose commercial computer. The computer used discrete transistors, was optimized for real-time use, had a 30-bit word length, and initially was supplied with 32,000 words of memory (approximately 123 K Bytes).
Display Status
This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Computers, General Purpose
Manufacturer
Sperry Univac Defense Systems
Dimensions
3-D: 182.9 x 73.7 x 129.5cm (72 x 29 x 51 in.)
Materials
Cabinet: green enameled steel
Console: rows of plastic buttons
Teletype: plastic typewriter keyboard
Alternate Name
Input-Output Console, Univac 1232
Inventory Number
A19930083000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.