This artifact is part of the Optical Unit of an Apollo Command Module. It is an unflown specimen that may have been used for engineering tests.
The Optical Unit was one of three principal parts of an inertial guidance and navigation system installed on Apollo spacecraft, which enabled its crew to navigate from Earth orbit to the Moon and back. The full system consisted an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which contained gryoscopes and accelerometers that established the craft's base position and attitude, an optical unit such as this one, which allowed the astronauts to update the IMU's settings based on sightings of stars and planets, and a digital computer, which processed information from the other units and controlled the craft.
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
INSTRUMENTS-Navigational
Contractor
Delco Co.
Manufacturer
Kollsman Instrument Company
Dimensions
3-D: 40.6 × 55.9 × 25.4cm (1 ft. 4 in. × 1 ft. 10 in. × 10 in.)
Materials
Aluminum
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Adhesive
Paint
Plastic
Ceramic
Paper
Electronic Component
Inventory Number
A19770183000
Credit Line
Transfer from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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