Artifact: Electronics Group, Telecommunications System, Apollo Command Module, Block II

A group of electronics assemblies which comprised the Apollo Command Module (Block II) telecommunications system. Refer to individual entries for discussion of each artifact. The telecommunications system enabled the only link between the Apollo Command Module, Lunar Module and NASA (via the Manned Space Flight Network). In this capacity, the communications sybsystem provided the MSFN flight controls at Mission Control Houston with data through the pulse code modulated (PCM) telemetry system for monitoring spacecraft parameters, subsystem status, crew biomedical data, event occurence, and scientific data. As a voice link, the communications subsystem gave the crew the added capability of comparing and evaluating data with MSFN computations.

In addition the communications subsystem, through its MSFN link, served as a primary means for the determination of spacecraft position in space and rate of change in position. Through the use of the television camera, crew observations and public information was transmitted in real time throughout the duration of the mission.

Refer to detailed discussion of the role of each electronic assembly that comprised the telecommunications system via each of the affiliated individual entries on this site.