Reverse-engineering the Globus INK, a Soviet spaceflight navigation computer (2023)
16 days ago
- #Soyuz-spacecraft
- #space-technology
- #analog-computing
- The Globus INK was an electromechanical analog computer used in Soyuz spacecraft to indicate position above Earth via a rotating globe.
- It featured a complex system of gears, cams, and differentials to compute spacecraft position, with the globe rotating in two dimensions to simulate orbit and Earth's rotation.
- The device displayed spacecraft position through fixed crosshairs on a plastic dome and included dials for latitude, longitude, and light/shadow transitions.
- Reverse-engineering revealed the Globus uses differential gears for mathematical operations, with specially-shaped cams implementing complex functions.
- Despite its mechanical sophistication, the Globus had limitations: it only supported fixed, circular orbits and required manual configuration by cosmonauts.
- Key components included solenoids for motion, a landing point mode for simulating retro-rocket firing, and a light/shadow indicator for docking timing.
- The device's Earth rotation mechanism involved a fixed-rate solenoid and manual adjustment knobs, with differential gears combining these inputs.
- Longitude and latitude displays were driven by cams and gears, with longitude particularly complex due to its dependence on both Earth and orbital rotations.
- The Globus was eventually replaced by digital systems like the Neptun-ME, which offered greater flexibility and functionality.
- This mechanical computer represents a remarkable achievement in analog computation, providing critical navigation data in early spaceflight.