Yes, you can own your very own missle tracking telescope !
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Contraves-Cin...QQcmdZViewItem
ok, so you'll need a measly US$100k but damn it's impressive looking...
Little screen cap for when the item listing is wiped:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...1&d=1145577070
Contraves EOTS Cinetheodolite
Electro Optical Tracking System Telescope
History of the cinetheodolite:
The Contraves EOTS replaced the Askania Tracking System that was used from the late 1950s to 29 January 1973. At that time, the Contraves system became operational in both mobile and fixed location configurations. This cinetheodolite was located at one of the many optical instrumentation sites at White Sands Missile Range, and was used to record valuable data during performance testing of missiles, aircraft, and other experimental weapon systems. These fixed cinetheodolites were retired in 1992 to make way for the new Kineto Tracking Mount System.
MISSIONS SUPPORTED
Pershing; Athena; Sprint ; Patriot; Nike Hercules; Redstone; Lance; Talos; Hawk; Zeus.
The company that presently services this type of equipment has confirmed that the unit will operate on 110VAC, 30 amps (household current) and that they can easily configure the unit to operate solely as an electrically driven cinetheodolite, without the features of data collection as originally designed, if that is the intended use. We will not disconnect or reconfigure the electrical, in the event the buyer would want to access the full range of capabilities.
If this telescope were going to be put back into service and used by an agency for its originally designed purpose, it would need the mainframe computer to link up with and control power box which is not a part of this unit. The precision gears in this unit produce an accuracy to 3 arc seconds, which is not achievable with current instruments (7 arc seconds is about as accurate as instruments of this nature are built today, per the rep). There is virtually no slack or tolerance in this instrument.
Components in the photo of the dome are not included. This picture is shown so you can see what it looked like originally. Likewise, the photo showing actual operators is for illustration purposes only. Auction includes only the cinetheodolite as shown in the 3 photos with the blue background.
The successful bidder for this amazing instrument will be the only private citizen on earth that owns one of these units. Set-up & arranged properly, in a home or business setting, this cinetheodolite would become a one of a kind conversation piece that could be enjoyed by both friends and business associates.
The magnification is unknown at this time. The estimate to convert to 110V is $5000-$6000. A specialist could travel to the unit, or it could be shipped to the service company for conversion. 10 inch lens and 60 inch focal length.. This unit has a spotting scope and a main telescope. Each scope had it's own viewing ocular and both are viewed from the control side. Weight is 1500-2000 lbs.
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L.
