A Guide to the James J. Avitabile Papers 1963-2001
A Collection in
Special Collections
Collection Number Ms2001-057
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Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Contact Information:University Libraries
P.O. Box 90001
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-9001
USA
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Email: specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu/
Processed by: John M. Jackson, Special Collections Staff
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
© 2002 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the James J. Avitabile Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Preferred Citation
Avitabile, James J. Papers, 1963-2001, Ms2001-057, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of this collection commenced in October 2001 and was completed in March 2002.
Biographical/Historical Information
James J. Avitabile, an air force officer from East Haven, Connecticut, graduated from the University of Connecticut and obtained an MBA from Western New England College. He entered the United States Air Force in 1959. During his career, Lieutenant Colonel Avitabile served as an Atlas E operations launch officer and as an astronaut mission operations instructor at NASA's spacecraft simulator complex responsible for astronaut mission flight training at Cape Canaveral/Kennedy from 1965 to 1967. He also served in the Air Force's Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) Program Office; as airborne test director for the E-3A Airborne Warnings and Control Systems (AWACS) Aircraft; and as activation director for the AWACS Operating Base. He was a member of the Cadre Office at NATO, responsible for the fielding of the NATO AWACS system and was a program director responsible for the acquisition of Air Force Command and Control Systems. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Lt. Col. Avitabile worked for General Electric, where he directed military and commercial space programs. Lt. Col. Avitabile and his wife Maria have three daughters and eight grandchildren.
Scope and Content Information
This collection contains materials related to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space exploration programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Containing mostly technical data on spacecraft systems design and operation, the collection provides a detailed look at NASA systems engineering during the early to mid 1960s. The collection is divided among the following series: NASA Programs, NASA Computer Systems, NASA Public Information, and General Materials.
The NASA Programs series contains in-house technical publications detailing spacecraft systems design and procedures and is divided among three subseries. The Project Mercury subseries contains one technical report and an historical overview of the program. Much more extensive is the Project Gemini subseries, which includes such items as operations handbooks, systems diagrams, briefing outlines, reports and mission simulator manuals. The Project Apollo series also contains such materials, in addition to spacecraft manuals, study guides and charts. Together, these subseries chronicle the development and evolution of spacecraft systems design and procedures which culminated in the first lunar landing.
The NASA Computer Systems series includes programmer manuals for the various computer systems used by NASA during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. The majority of the materials in this series concern the DDP general computer system.
Unlike the Programs and Computer Systems series, the NASA Public Information series consists of materials which were produced for public education. The series contains NASA Fact Sheets and NASA Educational Briefs, other general public information booklets, a symposium report and a set of astronaut photo portraits, all produced to familiarize the public with NASA's activities, personnel and facilities.
The General Materials series contains materials related to space exploration but not produced by NASA. The series includes magazine articles and a "Sounds of Space" recording.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged according to subject matter.
Contents List
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Box-folder 1-1Afterbody Heat Transfer Measurements Obtained During Reentry of the Spacecraft of the Mercury-Atlas 5 Mission, 1963
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Box-folder 1-2Mercury Technical History, (2 folders) n.d.
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Box-folder 1-3Project Gemini Familiarization Manual for Spacecraft #1 July 18, 1963
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Box-folder 1-4Gemini Spacecraft 3 - general materials 1964-65, n.d.
Systems diagrams, 1964-65 (see also Oversize Materials); Instrument panel diagram, n.d.
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Box-folder 1-5Gemini Spacecraft 4 - general materials April 7, 1965, n.d.
BIA-SEQ. (GLV Interface), Apr. 7, 1965 (see Oversize Materials); Instrument Panel Diagram, n.d.
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Box-folder 1-6Gemini Spacecraft 5 - general materials 1965
Instrument panel diagram, Feb. 3, 1965; Launch Vehicle Guidance and Control Subsystem diagram, Jun. 25, 1965; Fuel Cell Power System Briefing, 1965
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Box-folder 1-7-9Gemini Spacecraft 6 Operations Handbook 1965Section I - Systems, [1965] (3 folders)Section II - Controls and Displays, Sept. 10, 1965 (2 folders)Section II - Controls and Displays (Revision B), Nov. 24, 1965
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Box-folder 2-1-2Gemini Spacecraft 6 Operations Handbook 1965Section III - Spacecraft Operations Procedures, Oct. 3, 1965Section III - Spacecraft operations Procedures (Revision B), Nov. 26, 1965
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Box-folder 2-3Gemini Spacecraft 6 - Flight Data, n.d.
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Box-folder 2-4Gemini Spacecraft 7 - general materials 1965-66Instrument panel diagram, Apr. 16, 1965Fuel Cell Power System Briefing, Nov. 9, 1965Reactant Supply System Fuel Cell Performance Analysis, Mar. 9, 1966
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Box-folder 2-5Gemini Agenda Operations Handbook - Vehicle 5003 [Gemini VIII], (2 folders) Jan. 21, 1966
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Box-folder 2-6Gemini VIII - General materials 1965-66Mission Profile, Jan. 20, 1966Normal Phase Pane Detail, Jan. 25, 1965Launch Windows, Jan. 25, 1966Instrument panel diagram, Feb. 11, 1966Astronaut Briefing: Communication Systems, Apr. 6, 1966Rendezvous procedures, [1966]
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Box-folder 2-7Gemini-Titan 9 Cape Gemini Mission Simulator Configuration 1966
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Box-folder 2-8-10Gemini IX 1966Orbital and Rendezvous Report, Apr. 14, 1966Preflight Reentry Report, Apr. 14, 1966Flight Plan, Apr. 18, 1966 (2 folders)
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Box-folder 3-1-4Gemini IX 1966Operations Handbook (Revision C), May 20, 1966 (3 folders)Mission Rules (Revision G), May 25, 1966 (3 folders)Mission Plan/Preliminary Trajectory Plan, [1966]General MaterialsPreliminary Mission Profile [cover and title pg. only], Jan. 18, 1966Astronaut Briefing: Propulsion, Apr. 7, 1966Spacecraft 9 Power System Review, [1966]Bus power diagram, [1966]Command Pilot Rendezvous Book, [1966]Instrument panel diagram, [1966]Astronaut Briefing: Environmental Control System, [1966]
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Box-folder 3-5Gemini IX-A Flight Plan, (2 folders) May 21, 1966
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Box-folder 4-1-2Gemini X Operations Handbook 1966Section II (Preliminary) - Controls and Displays, May 20, 1966 (3 folders)Section III - Spacecraft Operations Procedures, May 10, 1966 (2 folders)
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Box-folder 4-3Gemini X - general materials 1966Instrument panel diagram, May 20, 1966>Non-Nominal Reset Points, Jun. 9, 1966Launch/Reentry Exercises, Jun. 13, 1966Gemini-Titan X/SNS/01, Jun. 13, 1966Gemini-Titan X/SNS/02, [1966]Gemini-Titan X/SNS/04, [1966]
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Box-folder 4-4Gemini XI - proposed procedures, 1966
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Box-folder 4-5Gemini XII - Cape Gemini Mission Simulator Configuration Nov. 22, 1966
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Box-folder 4-6Gemini systems, 1963
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Box-folder 4-7Operations Manual for Gemini Mission Simulator (3 folders) Dec. 18, 1963
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Box-folder 5-1Gemini Mission Simulator Fault Summary (2 folders) Jan. 6, 1964
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Box-folder 5-2Gemini Mission Simulator Software Support Aug. 1964
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Box-folder 5-3Gemini Launch Data System Data Book Jan. 22, 1965
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Box-folder 5-4Gemini Overall Operations Countdown: Gemini Missions, Feb. 7, 1966
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Box-folder 5-5Augmented Target Docking Adaptor - Performance/Configuration Specification [Gemini Program] (Revised) Apr. 7, 1966
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Box-folder 5-6Project Gemini Familiarization Manual [v.2]: Rendezvous and Docking Configurations (3 folders) Aug. 22, 1966
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Box-folder 6-1Project Gemini - general materials (see also Oversize Materials) 1965-66, n.d.
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Box-folder 6-2AS-202 Operational Spacecraft Flight Trajectory, Jul. 18, 1966
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Box-folder 6-3Apollo Mission Simulator: Instructor Handbook - Spacecraft 012 [AS-204A]/v. 1 - Description and Utilization, (5 folders)(see also Oversize Materials) Apr. 15, 1966
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Box-folder 7-1Apollo Mission Simulator: Instructor Handbook - Spacecraft 012 [AS-204A]/v. 2 - Instructor Workbook, (10 folders) Apr. 15, 1966
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Box-folder 7-2Crew Abbreviated Checklist - AS-204A, Apr. 15, 1966
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Box-folder 8-1Command Service Module System Handbook: AS-204 (Revision A), (3 folders) Aug. 1, 1966
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Box-folder 8-2Apollo AS-204A Flight Plan (Preliminary), Sept. 6, 1966
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Box-folder 8-3Mission Rules - AS 204A Flight Plan (Preliminary), (2 folders) Sept. 9, 1966
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Box-folder 8-4Apollo Operations Handbook: 204 A, Sept. 16, 1966
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Box-folder 8-5Saturn Launch Vehicle AS-204 (Revision A), (3 folders) Oct. 21, 1966
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Box-folder 9-1Flight Crew Launch Abort Mode Selection Charts for Mission AS-204A, Oct. 21, 1966
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Box-folder 9-2Apollo Operations Handbook: Command Service Module Spacecraft 012 - AS204A, [fragments] Apr. 15, 1966
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Box-folder 9-3Apollo Operations Handbook: Command Service Module Spacecraft 012, (5 folders) Nov. 12, 1966
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Box-folder 9-4Command Service Module Spacecraft 012 Subsystem - Operating Logic Schematics, (2 folders) 1966
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Box-folder 9-5Apollo II Astronaut/Command Module Computer Logic, 1967
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Box-folder 10-1Command Service Module System Handbook AS-501, (3 folders) Jan. 16, 1967
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Box-folder 10-2Mission Rules: 204 LM-1 (Preliminary), (2 folders) May 22, 1967
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Box-folder 10-3-4Lunar Module Systems Handbook: AS-204/LM-1 1967(Revision C), Jul. 7, 1967 (2 folders)(Revision C - Reprint), Aug. 2, 1967 (2 folders)
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Box-folder 11-1Apollo Guidance Navigation and Control: Guidance System Operations Plan LM-1 Using Burst Program, (2 folders) Jul. 1967
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Box-folder 11-2Apollo Operations Handbook: Command Service Module Spacecraft 014 [AS-205] - Spacecraft and Systems Description (v.1), (4 folders) Oct. 17, 1966
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Box-folder 11-3Saturn Launch Vehicle AS-205, (3 folders) Oct. 25, 1966
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Box-folder 12-1Flight Crew Abbreviated Checklist: Mission AS-205/208 Apollo Spacecraft 101, Feb. 13, 1967
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Box-folder 12-2Crew Abbreviated Checklist: Mission AS-205/208A Apollo Spacecraft 101, (2 folders) Mar. 1, 1967
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Box-folder 12-3AS 205/208 - general materials 1967Command Service Module Systems Handbook: Command Service Modules 101 - Publication and Control Sheet, Apr. 28, 1967Apollo Guidance and Navigation - [AS-205/208], Jun. 1967>Apollo Orbital Charts and Procedures - [AS 205/208],[1967]
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Box-folder 12-4-5Lunar Module Systems Handbook Vehicle LM-1: AS-206 1966-67(Revision A), Oct. 27, 1966 (3 folders)(Revision B), Mar. 16, 1967 (3 folders)
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Box-folder 13-1Lunar Module Systems Handbook Vehicle LM-1: AS-206 (Revision B - Replacement Pages), Apr. 21, 1967
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Box-folder 13-2Lunar Module Abort Guidance System - AS-207/208 (Revision B - Preliminary), (2 folders) Jan. 4, 1967
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Box-folder 13-3Apollo Operations Handbook - LEM2 Subsystems Data [AS-207/208A], Sept. 1, 1966
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Box-folder 13-4AS-278A Astronaut/Lunar Module Guidance Computer Logic [AS-207/208A], (2 folders) n.d.
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Box-folder 13-5Electrical Power Subsystem, Electroexplosive Devices, and Lighting System Briefing 1967
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Box-folder 13-6Environmental Control System Briefing (Revised)[AS-207/208A], Aug. 29, 1967
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Box-folder 13-7Reaction Control System and Propulsion System Briefing [AS-207/208A], 1967
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Box-folder 13-8Saturn IB Orientation Course, (4 folders) c.1964
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Box-folder 14-1Lunar Excursion Module Familiarization Manual, (2 folders) Oct. 15, 1965
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Box-folder 14-2Lunar Excursion Module Guidance and Control Data Book (Revision 1 - Change A), (4 folders) Dec. 1, 1966
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Box-folder 14-3Lunar Module Guidance and Control Data Book (Revision 2), (3 folders) Jul. 15, 1967
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Box-folder 15-1Lunar Module Abbreviation List, (3 folders) 1967
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Box-folder 15-2Lunar Module Orientation (Revised) Nov. 1966
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Box-folder 15-3-6Lunar Module Study Guide 1967Communications Subsystem (Revision C), Jan. 1967Control Electronics Section and Abort Guidance Section, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)Crew Systems, Feb. 1967 (3 folders)Electrical Power Subsystem, Jan. 1, 1967
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Box-folder 16-1-3Lunar Module Study Guide 1966Environmental Control Subsystem (Revised), Dec. 1966 (2 folders)Guidance, Navigation and Control Subsystem, Mar. 1, 1966 (2 folders)Instrumentation Subsystem (Revised), Nov. 1966 (3 folders)
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Box-folder 16-4-5Lunar Module Study Guide Feb. 1967Propulsion and Reaction Control System, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)Radars, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)
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Box-folder 17-1Lunar Module Study Guide Feb. 15, 1967
Structures, Mechanical Systems and Electroexplosive Devices, (2 folders)
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Box-folder 17-2-4Lunar Module primary Guidance and Navigation and Control System Student Study Guide 1967Familiarization Course (Revision A), Jan. 20, 1967 (2 folders)System Mechanization, Jan. 27, 1967 (5 folders)Computer Utility Programs (Revision A), Apr. 5, 1967 (3 folders)
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Box-folder 18-1-2Command Module Primary Guidance and Navigation and Control System Student Study Guide 1966Familiarization Course (Revision A), Feb. 15, 1967 (3 folders)Computer Utility Programs, Mar. 2, 1967 (3 folders)
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Box-folder 18-3Apollo Block II Command Service Module Guidance and Control Data Book (Revision 2), (3 folders) Sept. 1, 1966
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Box-folder 19-1-5Apollo Operations Handbook 1967Block II Spacecraft (v.1 - Spacecraft Description), Mar. 1, 1967 (5 folders)Command Service Modules Block II (Preliminary)Service Propulsion System (Subsection 2.4), Mar. 1, 1967Environmental Control System (Subsection 2.7), Feb. 1, 1967Telecommunications System (Subsection 2.8), Mar. 1, 1967Sequential Systems (Subsection 2.9), Feb. 1, 1967
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Box-folder 19-6Command Service Module Lunar Module Docking and Crew Transfer: Block II Handout Feb. 7, 1967
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Box-folder 19-7-10Apollo Training 1967Block II Command Service Modules Propulsion Subsystem, Feb. 23, 1967Electrical Power Subsystem Feb. 22, 1967Guidance and Control Systems - Block II, Mar. 31, 1967 (2 folders)Telecommunications System, Feb. 15, 1967
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Box-folder 20-1-6Apollo Training Study Guide 1965-66Crew Equipment, Apr. 1, 1966Crew Systems, Mar. 1, 1965Electrical Power System, Oct. 1, 1965Environmental Control Subsystem Feb. 18, 1966Guidance and Navigation Subsystem, Mar. 25, 1966Stabilization and Control Subsystem, May. 9, 1966
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Box-folder 20-7Lunar Module Simulator Malfunction Repertoire, Dec. 20, 1966
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Box-folder 20-8Lunar Module Mission Simulator - Instructors Handbook Apr. 1, 1967
v.1 - Simulator Description, (5 folders)
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Box-folder 21-1-2Lunar Module Mission Simulator - Instrutors Handbook 1967v.2 - Simulator Operation, Apr. 1, 1967Section 1 - Simulator Operation (2 folders)v.2 - Simulator Operation (Changed), May 15, 1967Section 1 - Simulator Operation
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Box-folder 21-3-5v.2 - Simulator Operation, Apr. 1, 1967Section 2 - Malfunction Data (3 folders)Section 3 - Lunar-landing Mission Procedures (4 folders)Section 4 - Instructor Activity for Interface Operation
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Box-folder 21-6v.2 - Simulator Operation (Changed), May 15, 1967
Section 4 - Instructor Activity for Interface Operation
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Box-folder 22-1-3Lunar Module Mission Simulator - Instructors Handbook 1967v.2 - Simulator Operation, Apr. 1, 1967Section 5 - Instructor Material (6 folders)Section 6 - Scripting Data Sheets (2 folders)Section 7 - Simulator Output Tables, Jul. 1, 1967 (3 folders)
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Box-folder 23-1-3Apollo Operations Handbook: Lunar Module 2 1967v.1, Jan 1, 1967 (3 folders)v.2, Jan. 1, 1967 (3 folders)v.2, (Changed), Mar. 20, 1967
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Box-folder 23-4JL4-2 Earth Orbital Checkout Procedures - Lunar Module 2, Mar. 1, 1967
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Box-folder 23-5Visual Simulation Equipment Study, Mar. 24, 1965
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Box-folder 23-6Student Training Guide: Toxic Propellants and Gas Mask Certification Apr. 9, 1966
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Box-folder 23-7Description of Test Reset Points [for lunar landing], 1966
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Box-folder 23-8Air Force Eastern Test Range Instrumentation Familiarization Course - RCA Technical Training, Apr. 1967
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Box-folder 24-1Apollo Astronaut/Lunar Module Guidance Computer Logic, May, 1967
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Box-folder 24-2Student Training Guides 1967Complex 34/37 Safety Orientation - Course OP-108, Aug. 15, 1967Complex 39 Safety Orientation - Course OP-107, Aug. 1, 1967
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Box-folder 24-3Briefing Outlines 1967, n.d.Rendezvous Radar/Transportation System, [1967]Control Electronics Section System, n.d.Instrumentation Subsystem, n.d.
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Box-folder 24-4Charts and calculators, (see also Oversize Materials) 1967, n.d.
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Box-folder 24-5Apollo training - general materials, (2 folders) 1966-67, n.d.
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Box-folder 25-1Mark I Programmer's Manual, (3 folders) 1962
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Box-folder 25-2Preliminary Instruction Manual for H-PAC Digital Modules, (2 folders) Mar. 1, 1963
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Box-folder 25-3Preliminary DDP-24 Installation Instruction Manual Oct. 1963
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Box-folder 25-4Preliminary DIP Interpretive program for the DDP-24 General Purpose Computer, 1963
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Box-folder 25-5Preliminary Programmer's Manual for the DDP General Purpose Computer (Revised) Feb. 1964
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Box-folder 25-6DAP Manual for the DDP-24 General Purpose Computer, Mar. 1964
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Box-folder 25-7Instruction Manual - DDP-24 General Purpose Computer, (4 folders) Apr. 1, 1964
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Box-folder 25-8Installation and Interface Manual for DDP-24 General Purpose Computer, May, 1965
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Box-folder 26-1Programmers Manual - DDP-24 General Purpose Computer, Aug. 1965
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Box-folder 26-2Fortran IV for DDP Computers, 1965
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Box-folder 26-3DAP II Manual - DDP General Purpose Computers, Apr. 1966
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Box-folder 26-4DDP-24 General Purpose Digital Computer n.d.
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Box-folder 26-5Powercel 3A-2 Installation and Operation Handbook, Apr. 1966
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Box-folder 26-6Computer systems - general materials, (2 folders) n.d.
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Box-folder 27-1NASA Fact Sheets, [7 items] 1962-66
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Box-folder 27-2NASA Educational Briefs, [14 items] n.d.
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Box-folder 27-3Apollo Lunar Landing Mission Symposium Jun. 25-27, 1966
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Box-folder 27-4General NASA printed materials 1963-1991, n.d.NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas, [c.1963]NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, [1964]NASA Facts, v.2, no.5: Launch Vehicles, [1965]Roster of Military Personnel at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, 1966Payload Flight Assingments - NASA Mixed Fleet, 1989-91 [2 items]
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Box-folder 27-5NASA astronaut publicity photo portraits, [44 items](2 folders) n.d.
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Box-folder 27-6General Materials 1969-2001, n.d.DiscoverMagazine, Oct. 2001 (includes article on a Russian Space program)IEEE Spectrum, Jul. 1994 (includes "The Moon Landing: a 25th Anniversary Perspective")USAA Magazine, Jun/Jul 1999 (features article on first lunar landing)"America in Space" - Science Applications International Calendar, 1997National Geographic "Sounds of Space Age" sound disc, 1969
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Box-folder Oversize-1Gemini Spacecraft 3 - general materials (from Box 1, Folder 4) 1964-65Systems diagrams, 1964-65Attitude Control and Maneuver Electronics, Nov. 1, 1964Environmental Control - Oxygen, Nov. 9, 1964Electric Battery Control, Nov. 1, 1964Environmental Control - Coolant, Dec. 4, 1964Environmental Control - Life Support, Dec. 1, 1964Environmental Control System - Coolant Loop, Nov. 11, 1964Flight Directory and Attitude Display Indicators, Jan. 29, 1965IGS-ACC and Attitude Malfunction Detection, Jan. 22, 1965IGS-Clock, 400~Power and Accelerometer, Jan. 22, 1965IGS-Platform Control, Feb. 4, 1965IGS (Power and Control), Jan. 22, 1965Manual Data Insertion Unit, Dec. 18, 1964Orbit Attitude and Maneuver propulsion, Nov. 1, 1964Orbit Attitude and Maneuver, Jul. 21, 1964Re-entry Control, Nov. 1, 1964Retrograde Seq., Nov. 1, 1964Sequential - Landing and Post-landing, Nov. 1, 1964Time Reference, Jan. 19, 1965Voice Communications, Nov. 9, 1964Communications - Digital Command, Nov. 9, 1964Communications - Beacon Control, Nov. 5, 1964BIA-SEQ., Dec. 21, 1964
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Box-folder Oversize-1Gemini Spacecraft 4 - general materials (from Box 1, Folder 5) Apr. 7, 1965
BIA-SEQ. (GLV Interface)
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Box-folder Oversize-2Project Gemini - general materials, (from Box 6, Folder 1) 1963-66, n.d.Floor Plan - Cape Canaveral Gemini MissionInstrument panel diagrams, n.d. [2 items]Environmental Control System - Coolant CircuitEnvironmental Control System - Oxygen Circuit diagram, n.d.
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Box-folder Oversize-2Apollo Mission Simulator: Instructor Handbook - Spacecraft 012 [AS-204A]/v.1 - Description and Utilization - system diagrams, [12 items] (from Box 6, Folder 3) Apr. 15, 1966
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Box-folder Oversize-2Charts and Calculators (from Box 24, Folder 4) n.d.Orbital tracking chart, n.d.Fuel chart, n.d.TSPI Systems chart, n.d.Film charts, n.d. [2 items]
