Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Coins & Medallions
  IBM 'Space Shuttle: It's Operational' medallion

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   IBM 'Space Shuttle: It's Operational' medallion
JBoe
Member

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 08-20-2016 05:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm trying to draw a correlation between IBM's involvement with the space shuttle's computers and this medal I have in my collection.

I found that IBM had created the AP-101 avionics computer as the system for the shuttle. The shuttle's computer system used five AP-101s as "general computers" that ran as redundancy. The shuttles' computers were upgraded to AP-101B and AP-101S.

That said, when was the AP-101 considered "operational" and "proven?"

CMikeW
Member

Posts: 89
From: United States
Registered: Apr 2013

posted 08-20-2016 05:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CMikeW     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The space shuttle flew on its fifth flight in November of 1982. At the completion of that flight NASA declared the shuttle development test flights complete and that the space shuttle was an operational vehicle.

I think it had much more to do with budgetary considerations than the shuttle being "operational."

JBoe
Member

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 08-20-2016 10:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for clarifying, I thought it was more to do with the computer. But the end of the developmental period, after STS-5, makes sense to say it's fully operational. Thanks!

Greggy_D
Member

Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 08-20-2016 10:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was under the impression that STS-1 through STS-4 were the test/development flights and STS-5 was the first "operational" flight.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-20-2016 11:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To quote Hugh Harris' T-0 call for STS-5:
Lift off of the first operational space shuttle mission with two satellites onboard and the shuttle has cleared the tower!

CMikeW
Member

Posts: 89
From: United States
Registered: Apr 2013

posted 08-21-2016 06:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CMikeW     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Should have looked instead of relying on old memories.

JBoe
Member

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 09-23-2018 07:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Looking at the IBM Launch Support Plan used by NASA Shuttle Project Chief Charlie Mars (Lot 134 of the American Space Museum Charity Auction #6), it looks like STS-3 was the development flight that proved the shuttle's operational use of IBM software/hardware.
Charlie Mars was Chief of the Shuttle Project Office in 1982, and this is his 14-page copy of the plan to "identify the responsibilities updated to reflect STS-3 and communication paths for the various support elements within IBM." The distribution list shows about 125 copies were handed out. A unique item of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

denali414
Member

Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017

posted 10-07-2018 06:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for denali414   Click Here to Email denali414     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Got one of these medallions in yesterday's American Space Museum auction — thanks for the heads up Jason.

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement