Posts: 43576 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-07-2016 10:04 PM
Bill Hammack "The Engineer Guy" video
Bill describes the Alignment Optical Telescope used in the Lunar Module on the Apollo missions to the moon. This telescope took star sightings which were used to align the Module's guidance system.
Bill shows how the telescope used an Archimedes spiral inscribed on its eyepiece to replace the heavy motors, worm gears, and rigid tracks used in a traditional sextant — this shaved weight from the Lunar Module and allowed it to carry more fuel.
SaturnV Member
Posts: 24 From: Fowler, Ohio, USA Registered: Sep 2013
posted 06-08-2016 02:15 PM
Now that is COOL! Really explained it nicely.
Gordon Eliot Reade Member
Posts: 35 From: Palo Alto, Calif. Registered: Jun 2015
posted 03-02-2018 03:54 PM
I thought that this was a really excellent video explaining the operation of the Apollo Alignment Optical Telescope.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
1202 Alarm Member
Posts: 445 From: Switzerland & France Registered: Nov 2003