Made at the early in the Apollo Program, this film details the simulator built to test the control and maneuverability systems for the re-entry of the space capsule. The film gives an overview of the lunar mission and shows the equipment used to simulate the mission. A cathode ray tube is shown at the 4:30 mark, surrounded with displays that indicate lift vector direction, velocity, and more. Roll and Yaw display is seen at the 5:00 mark. Two Electronics Associates Inc. (EAI) 231-R computers are used for the simulation and these are seen at the 5:45 mark.
EAI was a major supplier of electrical analog computing equipment in the 1950s and 60s. They played a major role in such high profile scientific projects as NASA’s development of space probes and satellites. They began by constructing analog computers (very useful for simulations of physical systems) but as digital technology became more prominent they created hybrid systems with both digital and analog capabilities.
They remained a supplier of engineering laboratory hybrid computing equipment until the 1970s and even created a subsidiary to enter the purely digital field. As the market changed, they attempted to keep up by changing their name to EA Industries but were later absorbed into other firms.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com