Spacelab, Instrument Pointing System
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Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Dornier
- Summary
- The Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS) was a three-axis gimbaled mounting platform used on an exposed pallet in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle. It provided excellent pointing accuracy and stability for telescopes, cameras, and other scientific instruments attached to it.
- The European Space Agency developed the IPS for the Spacelab program. Two IPS units were manufactured by Dornier, but only one was flown. The IPS displayed here was used on three missions: Spacelab 2 (1985), Astro-1 (1990), and Astro-2 (1995). NASA transferred it to the Museum when the Spacelab program ended.
- Credit Line
- Transferred from NASA Kennedy Space Center.
- Inventory Number
- A19990001006
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
- Materials
- aluminum and steel structure; MLI multi-layer thermal insulation blankets (NOMEX, aluminized mylar, gold foil, etc.)
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 210.8 x 269.2 x 320cm, 1134kg (83 in. x 106 in. x 10 ft. 6 in., 2500lb.)
- Country of Origin
- Federal Republic of Germany
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Exhibit Station
- Space Science
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19990001006
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9f4c4268c-4686-4398-8e59-eaec834d839d
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