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Soyuz "Globus" Mechanical Navigation Computer Part 1: Grand Opening

CuriousMarc・15 minutes read

The Globus instrument, used in Soviet spacecraft, helped astronauts determine location and communication with tracking stations like Madrid and Bermuda, with a 51.8-degree axis of rotation for accurate functionality. Despite successful repairs, intentional wire cutting in the device remained a mystery, leading to its decommissioning but preservation for spare parts and exploration of its functions and potential rewiring.

Insights

  • The Globus, a pivotal instrument in Soviet spacecraft, aided astronauts in determining their location, available communication channels, and potential landing areas by manipulating a globe with tracking stations.
  • Despite successful repairs to the Globus, including fixing a bearing issue and reinserting the shaft, intentional wire cutting posed a mystery, leading to some functions becoming unusable. The device was ultimately decommissioned but left intact for spare parts, showcasing its intricate functions related to orbit calculations and positioning.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of the Globus instrument in Soviet spacecraft?

    The Globus instrument in Soviet spacecraft served to help astronauts determine their location, available radio stations for communication, and potential landing spots. It featured a globe that could be manipulated with knobs to reveal various tracking stations, including NASA ones like Madrid and Bermuda.

  • How was the Globus instrument repaired by the team?

    The team successfully repaired the Globus instrument by cleaning the glass, fixing a bearing issue, and reinserting the shaft. Despite discovering that some wires connecting the instrument had been cut, they managed to identify where the wires were supposed to connect and restored the instrument's functionality by deburring the bearing, adjusting the longitude indication, and reinserting the shaft.

  • What were the functions of the Globus device related to?

    The Globus device in Soviet spacecraft had functions related to longitude, latitude, and orbit adjustment. It also featured indicators for landing points, sunlight exposure, and position transmission, utilizing mechanisms like solenoids and differential gears for orbit calculations.

  • Why was the damaged Globus device decommissioned?

    The damaged Globus device was decommissioned to prevent any use due to intentional cutting of wires, rendering some functions unusable. However, it was left intact for spare parts, as the team explored its functions related to longitude, latitude, and orbit adjustment.

  • What was the outcome of the team's repair efforts on the Globus instrument?

    The team's repair efforts on the Globus instrument were successful, allowing them to demonstrate its orbiting capabilities and correct some of its operational issues. Despite the intentional cutting of wires, the team managed to restore the instrument's functionality and ensure its potential for rewiring and restoration.

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Summary

00:00

Soviet Spacecraft Globe Repair Success

  • The "Space Navigation Indicator," known as the Globus, was used in Soviet spacecraft from the Vostok to the Soyuz TM, including flights to the space station until 2002.
  • The Globus instrument helped astronauts determine their location, available radio stations for communication, and potential landing spots.
  • The device features a globe that can be manipulated with knobs, revealing various tracking stations, including NASA ones like Madrid and Bermuda.
  • The Globus was likely used in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program, as indicated by tracking the Vanguard ship's location during the mission.
  • The instrument's axis of rotation, set at 51.8 degrees, must match the target orbit for accurate functionality.
  • The team successfully repaired the Globus by cleaning the glass, fixing a bearing issue, and reinserting the shaft.
  • Despite the repair, they discovered that the wires connecting the instrument had been cut, rendering some functions unusable.
  • The team managed to identify where the wires were supposed to connect, but the intentional cutting of the wires remains a mystery.
  • The repair process involved deburring the bearing, adjusting the longitude indication, and reinserting the shaft to restore the instrument's functionality.
  • The team's efforts to repair the Globus were successful, allowing them to demonstrate its orbiting capabilities and correct some of its operational issues.

14:47

"Globus Device Decommissioned, Functions Revealed"

  • The plate was lifted, and all wires were disconnected from the connection blocks, ensuring nothing could be used.
  • The damaged device was decommissioned to prevent any use, but it was left intact for spare parts.
  • The Globus device was explored, revealing its functions related to longitude, latitude, and orbit adjustment.
  • The mechanism of the Globus involved solenoids and differential gears for orbit calculations.
  • The device also featured indicators for landing points, sunlight exposure, and position transmission, with potential for rewiring and restoration.
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