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  KSC Launch Control Indicator Segment?

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Author Topic:   KSC Launch Control Indicator Segment?
TLIGuy
Member

Posts: 205
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 08-21-2015 05:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is my first foray into space hardware collecting so please be gentle on me.

I won this piece in a recent eBay auction from a seller that is currently selling a number of pieces from the collection of Charles H. Bell.

The piece really appeals to me because I'm a fan of the Gemini and Apollo era astronaut watches and this, for me, tied the two together because of its relationship to timing devices and my interest in the NASA era watches. Also, at almost 4" tall it will be a nice size piece to display.

I was wondering if anyone one here could answer these questions for me?

  1. Is anyone aware of an image where I might see where this control console was in the room that housed the countdown timer and what the complete countdown clock looked like?

  2. If the segment was removed as part of an upgrade of equipment it is possible it was still functional when removed and could still be functional now. Does anyone think it would be possible to illuminate it? I know it's a long shot and may not be easy or cost effective, but possible? I'm not looking to have it cycle through numbers but just illuminate the complete segment.
As always you help, guidance, and advice is appreciated.

TLIGuy
Member

Posts: 205
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 08-21-2015 08:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Okay, looking at the images closer, it appears that within each triangle section there is a small recessed circular area. Is this where a small bulb would be set? It looks as if a small bulb is inside each section and once sealed from the rear when illuminated it would illuminate the perimeter sections that would create the numbers when seen from the front.

Is this what is happening? This may be as easy as building a small box for the back and inserting an LED bulb to illuminate all the sections. Thoughts?

space1
Member

Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 08-21-2015 09:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for space1   Click Here to Email space1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TLIGuy:
This may be as easy as building a small box for the back and inserting an LED bulb to illuminate all the sections.
I think you're right. One LED or other kind of small bulb per section with masking so each bulb only lights one section.

TLIGuy
Member

Posts: 205
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 08-21-2015 10:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My engineer friend says I need to assemble a simple seven-segment countdown circuit with bulbs to illuminate the piece to bring it back to life. Wish me luck.

While I think I have resolved the illumination issue I would still be very interested in seeing an image of where this timer would have been located in the control room.

rwhite502
Member

Posts: 29
From: Reading, PA
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 09-30-2015 01:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rwhite502     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Photos of a complete display here. Hope these help.

TLIGuy
Member

Posts: 205
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 09-30-2015 02:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow. This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

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