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Soviet Voskhod Globus IMP Version 3 Navigation Instrument

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Soviet Voskhod Globus IMP Version 3 Navigation Instrument

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Auction Date:2017 Apr 20 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Rare circa 1963 Voskhod Spacecraft ‘Globus’ IMP version 3 navigation instrument, measuring 9.75 x 8.75 x 7, used as a positional indicator to display the spacecraft’s location relative to Earth. The impressive electro-mechanical device incorporates hundreds of mechanical components common to horology in order to move the three-dimensional terrestrial globe displayed at center. Through the whole flight, the globe would move beneath the crosshair etched on its transparent cover, mirroring the apparent movement of the earth under the spacecraft. The current latitude and longitude were displayed above the globe, and initial orbit parameters were preset using the five knobs on the faceplate. Numbered bullets affixed to the globe indicate Soviet Earth communications stations, hinting to the fact that this might have been used in training or even flown. This version of the Globus was used on two manned missions: Voskhod 1, which brought the first three-man crew into space; and Voskhod 2, which included the first-ever EVA by Alexei Leonov.

The device is displayed in a custom-made 12 x 21 x 11 stand. In fine condition; the controls for the user settings are in working order, and the globe and longitude/latitude indicators move accordingly when knobs are turned. The electromechanical actuators are fully functional: when 14-volt pulses are applied to the solenoid pins every five seconds, the Globus advances through its orbit just as it would in space, and the “Point of Landing” status indicator lights up (a hobbyist would need to build the appropriate power supply). This artifact was exhibited in 2009 at the National Watch and Clock Museum, Columbia, PA, as part of their 'Time & Exploration' exhibit. An absolutely fantastic piece of aerospace history that also holds enormous appeal to collectors of advanced horological instruments, maps, and globes.