Author
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Topic: Identifying reel-to-reel "Rosman" tracking tapes
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ducati1098 New Member Posts: 6 From: Formy, Merseyside, UK Registered: May 2014
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posted 05-28-2014 01:48 PM
I have just got hold of a couple of tapes labelled "Rosman," dated September 1968. I have pictures of the tapes along with the writing on them and supporting logs. I have no idea what is on them as I don't yet have a reel to reel tape player! Anyone any idea what they might be? |
ducati1098 New Member Posts: 6 From: Formy, Merseyside, UK Registered: May 2014
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posted 05-29-2014 10:02 AM
I'm trying to get hold of a reel to reel tape to see whats on them, anyone have any idea what it might be?
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-29-2014 10:27 AM
To quote Wikipedia: Rosman Satellite Tracking Station was established by NASA in 1962. The site was part of the worldwide Spacecraft Tracking and Data Acquisition Network and an integral communications link for the manned space programs Project Gemini and Project Apollo. The reference to the satellite on the tapes' labels (196742A) and paperwork (UK-E) corresponds to Ariel 3, the first artificial satellite designed and constructed in the United Kingdom. Though launched in May 1967, it was active through the 1969 and so your tapes likely contain data from that satellite. |
ducati1098 New Member Posts: 6 From: Formy, Merseyside, UK Registered: May 2014
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posted 05-29-2014 11:35 AM
Robert thanks for sorting my posts out! And I really appreciate the information. I'm assuming it will be data on the tape but I'm hoping an old reel to reel tape player may play them! |
Tim Collins Member Posts: 45 From: Harrisburg, PA Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 05-29-2014 11:15 PM
Great item. May not readily play back on standard tape deck. Appears to be multitrack with main data track probably formatted as pulse code modulation implemented with frequency shift keying. Typically would require bit synchronization and then decommutation of the data words. Feel free to contact me offline. |
One Big Monkey Member Posts: 169 From: West Yorkshire, UK Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 05-31-2014 08:54 AM
I was watching that sale too - decided that it was unlikely i would ever get the equipment on which to play it. LOL!I'd be very interested in seeing/hearing what's on the tape! |