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 may have flown on Apollo 4, an unmanned test flight. It was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum in 1972 from NASA.
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
Argentina(?)
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Navigational
Manufacturer
Kollsman Instrument Company
Dimensions
3-D: 17.8 x 5.1 x 10.2cm (7 x 2 x 4 in.)
Materials
Metal frame, glass optics, rubber eyepiece
Inventory Number
A19720301000
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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