Boatanchors In Spaaaaaace....

[Dave Rickmers]

You could try Boeing.  McDonnell (later McDonnell-Douglas, swallowed by
Boeing) was the spacecraft prime contractor.
dr

David Stinson wrote:
>
> I've spent a small amount of time over the last couple of years
> researching the communications in early US space vehicles.
> I got my first semi-close look at a Project Mercury spacecraft
> this weekend (Faith 7).  The only piece of the several comm.
> systems I could see was a small section of (I think) the backup
> UHF communications system, which ran .5 watt.  It looked very much
> like period Aircraft Radio Corp. ARC-type-12 equipment, with what
> appeared to be a UHF connector and gray, wrinkle paint finish.
>
> Transistors were still a fairly "new" technology in 1961.
> NASA was very concerned with using safe, reliable systems.
> I believe that, if I ever get access to detailed technical
> material, I will find that many of these systems were
> based on solder-in tubes.
>
> Therein lies the rub;
> The folks at the Smithsonian have been most kind and helpful
> to send me a broad overview of the systems involved,
> but I can't seem to get them to understand
> the concept of a "schematic" or "technical manual."
> I've talked to them since they sent me the "block diagram" type
> material and they are no closer to understanding what I need.
> I can't afford to fly up there and draw them a picture.
>
> Can anyone suggest another approach to obtaining this data?
>
> TNX ES 73 DE Dave Stinson AB5S
> arc5 at ix.netcom.com
>
> p.s. An interesting bit of data from the Mercury fights:
> The spacecraft was equipped with both UHF and HF voice systems.
> The UHF voice systems were useful for communications
> 104% of the time the spacecraft was in line-of-sight
> of its tracking stations.  The 5-watt HF system?  113%!  HA!
>
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