This Inertial Measurement Unit was carried on the Apollo 7 spacecraft, the first Apollo mission to carry a human crew, in October 1968. It measured accelerations and the position of the spacecraft in the Zero-G environment of Earth orbit. Those data were then used by the crew and the on-board digital computer to maneuver the spacecraft during its mission, and to position it for a safe return to Earth.

NASA transferred this object to the Musuem in 1975.

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

AC Spark Plug Division, General Motors Corporation

Dimensions

3-D: 33 x 26.7cm (13 x 10 1/2 in.)

Materials

HAZMAT: Beryllium
HAZMAT: Cadmium
HAZMAT: Magnesium
Aluminum
Paint
Nylon
Copper
Gold Plating
Plastic
Acrylic (Plexiglas)
Cork
Adhesive
Epoxy
Composite

Inventory Number

A19770220000

Credit Line

Transferred from National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.