Synth Rorschach #19: Hubble Space Telescope Control System

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What do you see?

"NASA ARTIFACT VPI Vehicle Power Interface Rack & Console Hubble Space Telescope

Being offered is one of the most important pieces of hardware associated with the Hubble Space Telescope that will ever be offered for public sale.

This is the Vehicle Power Interface (VPI) Equipment Rack and 2 Person Control Console for the Hubble Space Telescope.

It was the heart and soul of the HST during it's testing phase at the Space Telescope Assembly/Verification Facility and the Thermal Vacuum Chamber Facility at the Goddard Flight Center.

The VPI Console provided power to the HST and performed tests to it's batteries and solar panels as it was undergoing final testing before it's planned launch in September of 1986

There are two log of operation books that come with the VPI, chronicling it's history from it's first entry of "initial power on" 6/7/84, through it's Validation Test on 6, June 1986, to it's final entry date of 3/19/90, just a few weeks before STS 31 launched on 4/24/1990 to deploy the most famous telescope in world history!!!

The more prominent features of the VPI Equipment Rack are:

Six (6) HP 6012B DC Power Supplies,
Two (2) Lambda Power Supplies
Two (2) Battery Loads
Two (2) Remote and Command Monitor Modules
One (1) Vehicle Power Control Module
One (1) Vehicle Power Conditioning Module
One (1) Vehicle Battery Control & Monitor Module
One (1) Vehicle Power Conditioning Solar Array Input Module
One (1) AC Power Distribution Module
One (1) Clear-Com Intercom System Remote Station

Everything is housed in a very substantial 3 rack metal cabinet with lockable 3 door access in the back.

Cabinet is completely hand wired, as only NASA can do, it's a thing of beauty!

All pieces of equipment have wire seals that have not been tampered with

There are three large Heat Vent Stacks with internal fans on the top of the cabinet.

This rack is large, and has quite an impressive Presentation!

Overall size is 79" wide by 48" deep by 82" tall

Weight of the VPI Console is 2750 lbs.

The more prominent features of the Dual Control Console are as follows:

PSSP Simulator Panel
HUBBLE PSSP Simulator Panel
(2) Ball CRT Monitors
(2) ADDS Keyboards
T-O Control Panel
Telemetry and Command Panel
Auxiliary Monitor Panel
NorthStar Computer
Battery Trickle Charge Panel
(2) ADDS Panels

Control Console measures 7' long and weighs about 800 lbs.

This was a multi-million dollar piece of sophisticated electronic equipment with a remarkable place in history.

It is an Investment Quality NASA Hubble Space Telescope Artifact!"

Rorschach: I'm seeing Fairlight racks, Roland MSQ-700 buttons, Movement MCS Percussion Computer, EMS meets ARP 2500, & Akai samplers.



I'm thinking this one belongs in Bernee's Aliens Project SynxsS studio.