Original NASA Apollo Saturn Rocket, Instrument Unit (IU), Telemetry Oscillator Assembly,Sub-Carrier Oscillator (SCO)
Historical Context:This is an exceptionally rare Sub-Carrier Oscillator from a unique "First Article" configuration of the Instrument Unit. The IU is the control center, functioning as the "brain and digital nervous system" of the Saturn Rocket.That unique IU configuration is the Telemetry Oscillator Assembly, specifically described in the NASA Apollo MSFC technical manual shown in the reference photos.This individual oscillator originates from the top level of the Telemetry Oscillator Assembly,Model A, Serial Number 001.The top level of this flight box assembly contains the Oscillator Array (also shown in the reference photos).
While standard Saturn Instrument Unit configurations required the Sub-Carrier Oscillators and the Data Multiplexer to be housed in separate flight boxes, this specific architecture was a rare, high-density variant. It uniquely integrated the multiplexer logic and the 18-channel oscillator array into a single, dual-stacked flight box to manage the rocket's F6 telemetry link. The assembly this component was removed from represents the baseline prototype for the integrated design and bore a Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Display marker, confirming its historical significance and preservation by NASA.
Flight Hardware Functional Significance:This Sub-Carrier Oscillator and the SCO Array were designed to operate as the final stage in translating the Saturn rocket's physical state into a transmittable radio signal. In this rare, integrated configuration, the SCOs worked in direct tandem with the Model 270 Multiplexer below them. While the multiplexer organized low-speed data (including propellant levels, battery voltages, and engine temperatures) into a pulsed sequence, the Oscillators converted that sequence, along with high-speed analog data like structural vibrations, into specific Frequency Modulated (FM) signals. This "stack" acted like a private radio station for the rocket, ensuring that hundreds of critical data streams could be broadcast simultaneously to Mission Control without overlapping or interference throughout the entire flight mission.This oscillator stands as a highly specialized piece of the Huntsville engineering legacy that successfully guided humanity to the Moon.
NASA Hardware (Flight Box Assembly) Data PlateProvenance:
NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center US
Telemeter Ass'y F6 802A459
Assembly Number 50M10679
Model Number A Serial Number 001Manufactured By Brown Engineering Co.Sub-Carrier Oscillator:
Sub-Carrier Oscillator Model TS-41
Vector Manufacturing Company Inc.
Southampton, Pennsylvania
Frequency 0.73 Kilocycles Serial Number 4110-RE
Test Point, Lower Band, Output, Upper BandApproximate artifact dimensions: 1.75 inches x 1.5 inches x 1 inch.
NASA Apollo engineer, Charles H. Bell, originally obtained this artifact from the Kennedy Space Center.
Please Note Regarding This Sale:This listing is for ONE (1) individual Sub-Carrier Oscillator only. The last 10 photos showing the complete black dual-stacked flight box, the interior levels, and the NASA technical manual pages are provided for historical provenance and reference only. The flight box that this circuit board originated from and the manual shown in the photos are not included in this sale. Everything included in this sale is shown in the first 6 photos of this listing.We require that all potential buyers read our 'FAQ and Terms of Sale' section, at the bottom of each listing, prior to purchase, offer or offer placement and inquiries.
A Multiplexer Circuit Board from the bottom level of this same assembly is available for sale in this listing: https://www..com/itm/257494580143A 2nd Multiplexer Circuit Board from the bottom level of this same assembly is available for sale in this listing: IU, Computer Interface Unit Circuit Board is available for sale in this listing: & Terms of Sale:* Artifact Inquiries: Please submit all questions regarding listed artifacts, prior to purchase or offer placement, and allow at least 24 hours for a response. Write in anytime with all other questions or special artifact requests. We will try to locate any specific type of spaceflight hardware that you are interested in purchasing.
* Artifact Provenance: Artifacts that include provenance (or any documents, original receipts, part tags, certificate of authenticity / COA, etc) in the sale will specify this in the listing's written description and will be shown in the listing photos. If any of this type of provenance/paperwork is not shown in the photos and specified as "included" in the listing, then it is not available or included in the sale.
* Artifact Flight Status: FLOWN = Spacecraft hardware/components, crew equipment, scientific instruments, or other items/materials that have been flown. FLIGHT = Spacecraft flight-qualified spares or backup hardware/components and engineering test articles made of the same components as the flight article. These are items that could have flown but were not flown. Ground Support Equipment (GSE) = Non-flight space program hardware, equipment, and scientific Instruments used in direct association with the spacecraft, spacecraft engineers, and technicians. These are items that were used and made for ground support that may or may not have been in direct contact with the spacecraft prior to launch.
* All items listed here are being sold as collectible artifacts only, and although they may be in perfect working order, we are not able to test them for functionality.
Note: FAQ & Terms of Sale may be updated periodically. Please check for new information, before each purchase.