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.

Human Spaceflight

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
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