SPACE SHUTTLE SPACELAB COMPUTER. IBM APL101-SL, MANUFACTURED 12 DECEMBER 1989

SPACE SHUTTLE SPACELAB COMPUTER

IBM APL101-SL, manufactured by IBM Corp, 12 December, 1989

Metal outer case, 19 by 11 1/2 by 7 3/4 inches, with interior gold-plated electronics, housed in the original custom heavy-duty shipping case (32 by 22 by 18 inches). Six data ports and an analog hour meter (reading 3733 hours) located between dual hand brackets at the front. Front ID tag reads in part: "AP101SL Computer. McDonnell Douglas PN: 9005608-1. Rev Level: L. Serno: 108. Contract No. SK87J087. Mfd. By IBM Corp Owego NY. Date of MFG: 12/12/89.”

The IBM AP101-SL computer was used in the Spacelab module to operate the laboratory's subsystems (power, thermal, etc.) as well as to monitor and control experiment operations through a data display system with keyboard and screen. Spacelab, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) was a reusable laboratory used on certain flights flown by the Space Shuttle. A total of 32 Space Shuttle missions flew Spacelab components.