The Explorer And Vanguard Tracking Station |
Image via NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology |
Image via Encyclopaedia Britannica |
You'll first notice the 'radar scope' window - looking inside you'll see Earth which is lit by an eerie green glow when the station is in operation. Revolving around Earth are Explorer 1 and Vanguard 1. On the top left of the station is a rotating radar dish. The red and green lights below the dish on the console alternately blink on and off. On the top left of the console is a telegraph tower topped with a red beacon. Below the tower on the base of the console is a red metal 'code signal key' for Morse code telegraphy. A buzz can be heard as the code is tapped out on the signal key and the beacon atop the tower blinks. A red nob on the center of the base controls the on/off function of the unit.
The Tracking Station is a tin litho beauty with super graphics all the way around.
Tracking Station back view, top view, and left side view. |
The images in this post are via Grand Old Toys - this particular pristine, completely functional unit in the original box was sold online for $610.
H/T to Luis Cesar for reminding me about this fab space age toy.
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