Apollo astronauts navigated from Earth orbit to the Moon and back in part by taking star sightings. The Command Module contained a sextant and a scanning telescope for this purpose. Sightings taken by the astronauts with these devices were translated into data that was processed by the on-board digital computer.
This sextant, made by the Kollsman Instrument Company, may have flown on Apollo 4, an unmanned test flight.
Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1972.
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: 21 x 10.2 x 10.8cm (8 1/4 x 4 x 4 1/4 in.)
Materials
Rubber, aluminum, stainless steel, glass, paint, ink
Inventory Number
A19720307000
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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