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Rangefinder, Friendship 7

Unknown

During his three-orbit flight on February 20, 1962, John Glenn used this photometer/rangefinder to measure the airglow layer around the Earth. Sometimes called a Voasmeter photometer - after Robert Voas, who trained early astronauts for NASA - the device allowed Glenn to look through the filter and make measurements with the small dial. Information could be gathered from these observations on the intensity of both sunlight and starlight.

Type

EQUIPMENT-Photographic

Medium

Overall: metal and plastic

Department

NASM

Institution

National Air and Space Museum

Object number

nasm_A19670200000

Credit

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration