Building a full-scale Apollo Command Module replica
Finally! At long last! I’ve started work on the main part of the CM’s framework – the cone-shaped superstructure. After double-, triple-, and quadruple-checking the geometry, I started marking and cutting the 2×4 boards that would provide both the shape and the support for the structure. The slope of the
I had a minor knee injury last week, so between that and having my daughter over the weekend, I haven’t been able to do much construction work the past few days. I’m still doing design work on some details of the CM, and the 3D printer is continuously churning out
As mentioned in a previous article, I visited the Computer Museum of America ( www.computermuseumofamerica.org ) as a guest of S&T GeoTronics ( www.stgeotronics.com ), which had recently donated an Open DSKY replica to the Museum. This past Saturday, I returned to the Museum, this time bearing gifts. The Museum’s
When someone thinks about the control panel of the Apollo Command Module, they usually think about the hundreds of switches, or the “8-balls” (FDAIs), or the low-tech computer interface. But often overlooked are the small thumbwheel controls. These thumbwheels were used for setting levels, such as intercom audio, or trimming
I mentioned in the previous framework construction article about my inability to find a CNC and calling on the Johns Creek Staples Print Department to print full-size cutting templates. The parts I needed this most for were the segments for the circular “girdle” around the base of the Command Module.
In order to make the Open DSKY useful for controlling other items, I needed to make an interface expansion board. I had already extended a lead from the NeoPixel chain and power from the header to operate the Caution and Warning Lights, but that existed as a pigtail and wasn’t
Building the faceplate for the EMS was more challenging than just a basic control panel. Not only did it have several dimensional aspects to it, I also had to mount the four circuit boards to it. Like the other control panels, this started with a base of hardboard overlayed with
Now that the circuit design was complete, I needed to translate it from the breadboard to a permanent circuit board. Prototyping circuit boards are usually pretty expensive, but I got a stack of them from an eBay seller for a decent price. Good thing, too, because it looked like the
After well over a month of delays, I’m finally making progress on the construction of the CM itself. I had been trying to find a makerspace with a CNC machine large enough to take a 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood. I located one that was relatively close, but
One of the next things I tackled was gauges. There are two basic types of gauges on the CM – round gauges and rectangular or “edgewise” gauges. They’re called “edgewise” because instead of observing the movement of the gauge rotating like a clock from the front, you’re observing the movement
