Soyuz "Globus" Mechanical Navigation Computer Part 2: Powering Up
CuriousMarc・9 minutes read
A damaged Soyuz Navigation Computer, the Globus, was repaired after a fall, with the dislodged globe supporting shaft affecting the mechanical controls and longitude readings, allowing successful manual movement for the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous flight in 1975. The Globe was repaired by aligning the cam at specific angles and correcting timing during rotation based on latitude, enabling accurate readings and operational readiness for 7 orbits around the planet.
Insights
- The Soyuz Navigation Computer, or Globus, used in Soyuz T and Soyuz TM capsules until 2002, contained an analog computer with gears and minimal electronics, showcasing a unique blend of old-school mechanical technology and modern space navigation capabilities.
- The meticulous repair process of the damaged Globus involved fixing the dislodged globe supporting shaft, reverse engineering intentionally cut electrical wires, and correcting the timing of longitude indication during rotation, highlighting the intricate and innovative methods used to ensure the device's accurate operation for space missions.
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Recent questions
What is the Soyuz Navigation Computer?
An analog computer with gears and minimal electronics.
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Summary
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Repairing and Operating the Soyuz Navigation Computer
- Inside the Soyuz Navigation Computer, known as the Globus, an analog computer with gears and minimal electronics was discovered, used until 2002 in Soyuz T and Soyuz TM capsules.
- The Globe inside the Globus was damaged due to a fall, with the globe supporting shaft dislodged, affecting the mechanical front controls.
- The Globus was likely assigned to the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous flight in 1975, indicated by NASA tracking stations and 1973 date codes on components.
- After repairing the dislodged shaft, the controls were freed, allowing manual movement of the globe.
- The electrical wires in the Globus were intentionally cut, possibly to prevent further use after the fall, but were successfully reverse engineered.
- A power-up attempt involved wiring solenoids to make the globe rotate, with pulses amplified to 27 volts, resulting in successful movement.
- The longitude indication on the globe was found to be improperly timed during rotation, requiring correction based on latitude to ensure accurate readings.
- After a detailed process of aligning the cam at specific angles, the Globus was repaired, allowing for accurate longitude readings and successful operation, ready for a time-lapse of 7 orbits around the planet.
