Star charts like this one created by the U.S. Air Force were used by the astronauts in the Mercury or Gemini program to assist in navigation. Although primary navigation was handled by ground equipment, and by the on-board computer for Gemini, this chart served as an additional reference. It showed the track of a spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral, and the stars in each hemisphere that an astronaut would see during an orbit. It is not known whether this specimen was flown on a Mercury flight.
Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1977.
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
Manufacturer
United States Air Force
Dimensions
2-D - Unframed (H x W): 25.2 × 24.1cm (9 15/16 × 9 1/2 in.)
Materials
Paper
Synthetic
Inventory Number
A19770594000
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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