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Author
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Topic: IBM 'Space Shuttle: It's Operational' medallion
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JBoe
Member Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 08-20-2016 05:54 PM
   
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
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posted 08-20-2016 05:55 PM
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
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posted 08-20-2016 10:04 PM
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
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posted 08-20-2016 10:37 PM
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
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posted 08-20-2016 11:19 PM
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
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posted 08-21-2016 06:54 AM
Should have looked instead of relying on old memories. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 09-23-2018 07:19 AM
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
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posted 10-07-2018 06:28 AM
Got one of these medallions in yesterday's American Space Museum auction — thanks for the heads up Jason. |
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