4 Images

For the film "Hubble 3D," sound engineer Greg Smith attached this microphone and cabling to launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center to record the launch of STS-125, the last servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The recorded sound, maintained on a CD in the Museum's curatorial files, contributed the most authentic and close-up launch sounds to a film yet recorded. The proximity to launch is evidenced by the melted foam cover on the microphone.

Smith donated the microphone apparatus to the Smithsonian in 2015.

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

EQUIPMENT-Communications Devices

Dimensions

3-D: 44.5 × 26.7 × 7.6cm (17 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 3 in.)
Storage: 49.5 × 31.8 × 12.7cm (19 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 5 in.)

Materials

Steel
Foam (Polyurethane?)
Plastic
Non-Magnetic White Metal Alloy

Inventory Number

A20160015000

Credit Line

Gift of Greg Smith, Pros from Dover Productions

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.