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Author
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Topic: Is this a shuttle hand controller?
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-23-2007 11:52 AM
   
See: Astronaut Plaque from Space Shuttle Discovery Flight (Item 180131725621)  This auction closed this morning with a very healthy $3,625 winning bid. The seller's description of what he was selling begins: quote:
This item is from Space Shuttle flight STS-39. It consist of a Manual Pointing Controller from the Space Shuttle and was awarded to NASA Astronaut Charles Lacy Veach.
Did the seller correctly identify the controller or is it from another type of vehicle? As best I can tell from the slightly out of focus photos that accompanied the lot, the inscription on the plaque makes no mention of the stick, though a white label underneath the controller, hidden by the angle in which the pictures were taken, might have. Regardless, it should be possible to match the style of the controller to photographs taken inside the orbiter.With that in mind, I have been looking through NASA image archives and came up with the following: CDR's/PLT's controls:  RMS control (aft flight deck):  These don't appear to match the stick in the auction but perhaps I am missing imagery from a transition in cockpit hardware or from a different payload. Anyone have any idea? |
LCDR Scott Schneeweis
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 06-23-2007 01:31 PM
It was installed for Air Force Payload 675...there should be some images floating around on the net...Scott ------------------
Scott Schneeweis
URL http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/ |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 06-23-2007 01:36 PM
It looks like a 1980's F-15 joystick grip. Does it actually say flown on the shuttle on the plaque? Larry McGlynn |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-23-2007 01:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by LCDR Scott Schneeweis:
It was installed for Air Force Payload 675...there should be some images floating around on the net...
According to the Smithsonian's website, "Air Force Payload #675, an unclassified early warning satellite, was launched on STS-39 in 1991." Further to that, the STS-39 press kit offers: quote:
The AFP-675 payload will remain in the payload bay during the mission, and commanding of the experiments will be accomplished by the crew from a panel in the aft flight deck.
Here is a picture of Veach at the AFP-675 panel:  The picture includes a controller (circled) but it is not clear if that is part of the AFP-675 panel or part of the RMS control. It is also in shadow, so its hard to make out any details to compare it to the one offered by the seller. Anyone know of a better image of the panel? |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-23-2007 01:57 PM
Those are terrible auction pics. No way would I have bid that much with such horrendous pictures. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 06-23-2007 02:05 PM
Robert,I found that same picture. I put it into photoshop, lightened up the photo and enlarged the photo. The top of the stick looks like the standard RMS grip. I looked at the mid deck area to see if there was another place for a joystick and there isn't space in that picture. Veach has his arm on the panel at one of the few places there could be a stick attachment. I wish there was a better picture, but I can't find one in the archives. I only know of one more place to go and that is Ed Hengeveld. Larry |
Lunar rock nut
Member Posts: 911
From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-23-2007 06:06 PM
Could it be a controller for the robotic arm?Terry |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-23-2007 06:31 PM
The second two photos in my reply above, labeled "RMS control" are for the robotic arm. RMS = remote manipulator system, or in other words, the robotic arm. |
hartspace
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 06-23-2007 10:14 PM
I worked on AFP-675 when I was at Lockheed and this is one of two Manual Pointing Controllers used in conjunction with the AFP-675 payload. The display plaque shown in the original ad is the same type of plaque used on the STS-39 memorabilia that I have. I couldn't find a real good picture of the controller, but enclosed a drawing of it below. It attached to one of two connectors on the lower left of the Command and Monitor Panel which was positioned in the Aft Deck area of Discovery. It was used to point the FAR-UV and CIRRIS experiments on the AFP-675 pallet. The first photo below shows Guy Bluford, who was the other MS responsible for AFP-675 operations during STS-39. The controller is at the lower edge of the photo. The last photo shows Lacy with the two controllers. I believe the second controller was presented to Guy in a similar presentation as the one auctioned.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbhart/606498894/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbhart/606422603/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbhart/606422673/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbhart/606422749/
Edited by hartspace |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-23-2007 10:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by hartspace:
I worked on AFP-675 when I was at Lockheed and this is one of two Manual Pointing Controllers used in conjunction with the AFP-675 payload.
Thanks! I couldn't ask for a better or more authoritative reply. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 06-24-2007 02:36 AM
That wraps up that subject. A nice piece for a nice price. Larry McGlynn |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-24-2007 08:22 AM
I believe this is the only site where you could have had found this type of info. It was a pleasure to monitor the replies! |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-24-2007 11:45 AM
quote:
It was a pleasure to monitor the replies!
... and a bit frustrating for me to sit here with nothing to say but, "Uuuuuh." I'm glad a highly qualified expert was able to give us the answer.------------------
John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com |
SANMAT AVIATION
unregistered
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posted 06-24-2007 07:35 PM
I am the winner of this plaque. After I recieve it, I will post a clear digital picture for all. Thanks for all the info only this site can give. |
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