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Original NASA Apollo Saturn Rocket, Instrument Unit (IU), Digital Data Acquisition System (DDAS), Computer Interface Unit (CIU), Circuit Board
Historical Context:This rare circuit board is a part of thethe highly significant Computer Interface Unit (CIU),a critical component of the Saturn IU\'sDigital Data Acquisition System (DDAS). TheInstrument Unit is the control center, functioning as the \"brain and digital nervous system\" of the Saturn Rocket.
As detailed in the NASA Apollo technical manuals (shown in the reference photos), the CIU acted as the vital communication bridge between the rocket\'s telemetry systems and the Launch Vehicle Data Adapter and Digital Computer (LVDA/LVDC). It ensured that the rocket\'s \"brain\" and its \"senses\" were perfectly synchronized.
Flight Hardware Functional Significance:As part of the CIU, this circuit board was designed to manage the flow of critical data between systems. Its primary function was to buffer and transfer selected telemetry data into the LVDA/LVDC for storage. This allowed the rocket to \"self-monitor\" its health and store vital status updates during flight, particularly after orbital insertion, the \"blackout\" periods when the vehicle was out of range of ground tracking stations.Once back in range, the CIU helped coordinate the transmission of this stored data back to Earth. Essentially, this board was designed to act as a \"data translator and memory manager,\" ensuring no piece of flight information was lost during the Apollo missions to the Moon. Hailing from CIU Flight Box Serial Number 002, this artifact represents an extremely early build of this system, manufactured by the Huntsville pioneers at Space Craft, Inc.
NASA Hardware (Flight Box) Data PlateProvenance:
Computer Interface Unit
NASA Contract Number: NAS8-11728
Serial Number: 002
Model Number: 100
Part Number: 50M67457-1Manufacturer: Space Craft, IncorporatedCircuit Board:
Part Number 50M67513-IP
(The triangular NASA certification stamp is still visible on the back side upper right hand corner and the Space Craft Inc (SCI) Quality Control (QC) red stamp on the front side upper right hand corner)
Approximate artifact dimensions: 4.25 inches x 3.25 inches.
Please Note Regarding This Sale:This listing is for ONE (1) individual circuit board only. The last 8 photos showing the DDAS, CIU flight box which this circuit board originated from, the NASA hardware data plate, and the NASA Apollo technical manual pages (diagrams and function descriptions) are provided for historical provenance and reference only. The flight box and the manuals are not included in this sale.Everything included in this sale is shown in the first 6 photos of this listing.We require that all potential buyers read our \'FAQ and Terms of Sale\' section, at the bottom of each listing, prior to purchase, offer or offer placement and inquiries.
Saturn IU, Telemetry Oscillator Assembly Sub-Carrier Oscillator is available for sale in this listing: IU, Telemetry Oscillator Assembly Multiplexer Circuit Board is available for sale in this listing: Saturn IU, Telemetry Oscillator Assembly Multiplexer Circuit Board is available for sale in this listing: & Terms of Sale:* Artifact Inquiries: Please submit all questions regarding listed artifacts, prior to purchase or offer placement, and allow at least 24 hours for a response. Write in anytime with all other questions or special artifact requests. We will try to locate any specific type of spaceflight hardware that you are interested in purchasing.
* Artifact Provenance: Artifacts that include provenance (or any documents, original receipts, part tags, certificate of authenticity / COA, etc) in the sale will specify this in the listing\'s written description and will be shown in the listing photos. If any of this type of provenance/paperwork is not shown in the photos and specified as \"included\" in the listing, then it is not available or included in the sale.
* Artifact Flight Status: FLOWN = Spacecraft hardware/components, crew equipment, scientific instruments, or other items/materials that have been flown. FLIGHT = Spacecraft flight-qualified spares or backup hardware/components and engineering test articles made of the same components as the flight article. These are items that could have flown but were not flown. Ground Support Equipment (GSE) = Non-flight space program hardware, equipment, and scientific Instruments used in direct association with the spacecraft, spacecraft engineers, and technicians. These are items that were used and made for ground support that may or may not have been in direct contact with the spacecraft prior to launch.
* All items listed here are being sold as collectible artifacts only, and although they may be in perfect working order, we are not able to test them for functionality.
Note: FAQ & Terms of Sale may be updated periodically. Please check for new information, before each purchase.
