The Saturn V Rocket, which carried astronauts to the Moon, used inertial guidance. The booster had its own inertial system, separate from the guidance systems on the Command and Lunar Modules. This was contained in an "Instrument Unit" (IU): 1 meter (3 feet) high by 6.7 meters (22 feet) in diameter, located between the third stage of the Saturn rocket and the payload.
The prime contractor for this system was the Federal Systems Division of the IBM, in cooperation with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, at Huntsville, Alabama. IBM also built the digital computer installed inside this Unit.
This is an unflown specimen that was intended for an Apollo mission that was canceled, possibly "Apollo 19."
Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1978.
Display Status
This object is on display in Human Spaceflight at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Navigational
Manufacturer
Federal Systems Division, IBM
Dimensions
3-D: 91.4 x 661.4cm (36 in. x 21 ft. 8 3/8 in.)
Materials
Structural ring: Aluminum. Components: metal cases with electronic parts inside.
Alternate Name
Saturn V Instrument Ring
Inventory Number
A19780160000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
