James J. Avitabile Papers, 1963/2001

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], James J. Avitabile Papers, Ms2001-057, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
14 Cubic Feet 27 boxes; 2 oversize folders
Creator:
Avitabile, James J.
Abstract:
This collection contains materials related to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space exploration programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Containing mostly technical data on spacecraft systems design and operation, the collection provides a detailed look at NASA systems engineering during the early to mid 1960s.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], James J. Avitabile Papers, Ms2001-057, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials related to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space exploration programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Containing mostly technical data on spacecraft systems design and operation, the collection provides a detailed look at NASA systems engineering during the early to mid 1960s. The collection is divided among the following series:

Series I: NASA Programs, 1963-1967, n.d., contains in-house technical publications detailing spacecraft systems design and procedures and is divided among three subseries. Together, these subseries chronicle the development and evolution of spacecraft systems design and procedures which culminated in the first lunar landing.

Subseries A: Project Mercury, 1963, n.d., contains one technical report and an historical overview of the program.

Subseries B: Project Gemini, 1963-1966, n.d., is much more extensive, and includes such items as operations handbooks, systems diagrams, briefing outlines, reports and mission simulator manuals.

Subseries C: Project Apollo, 1964-1967, n.d., contains similar materials, in addition to spacecraft manuals, study guides and charts.

Series II: NASA Computer Systems, 1962-1966, n.d., includes programmer manuals for the various computer systems used by NASA during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. The majority of the materials in this series concern the DDP general computer system.

Series III: NASA Public Information, 1962-1991, n.d., consists of materials which were produced for public education, unlike the previous series. The series contains NASA Fact Sheets and NASA Educational Briefs, other general public information booklets, a symposium report and a set of astronaut photo portraits, all produced to familiarize the public with NASA's activities, personnel and facilities.

Series IV: General Materials, 1969-2001, n.d., contains materials related to space exploration but not produced by NASA. The series includes magazine articles and a "Sounds of Space" recording.

Systems diagrams, 1964-1965; Instrument panel diagram, n.d.

Scope and Content
  1. Systems diagrams, 1964-1965
  2. Attitude Control and Maneuver Electronics, Nov. 1, 1964
  3. Environmental Control - Oxygen, Nov. 9, 1964
  4. Electric Battery Control, Nov. 1, 1964
  5. Environmental Control - Coolant, Dec. 4, 1964
  6. Environmental Control - Life Support, Dec. 1, 1964
  7. Environmental Control System - Coolant Loop, Nov. 11, 1964
  8. Flight Directory and Attitude Display Indicators, Jan. 29, 1965
  9. IGS-ACC and Attitude Malfunction Detection, Jan. 22, 1965
  10. IGS-Clock, 400~Power and Accelerometer, Jan. 22, 1965
  11. IGS-Platform Control, Feb. 4, 1965
  12. IGS (Power and Control), Jan. 22, 1965
  13. Manual Data Insertion Unit, Dec. 18, 1964
  14. Orbit Attitude and Maneuver propulsion, Nov. 1, 1964
  15. Orbit Attitude and Maneuver, Jul. 21, 1964
  16. Re-entry Control, Nov. 1, 1964
  17. Retrograde Seq., Nov. 1, 1964
  18. Sequential - Landing and Post-landing, Nov. 1, 1964
  19. Time Reference, Jan. 19, 1965
  20. Voice Communications, Nov. 9, 1964
  21. Communications - Digital Command, Nov. 9, 1964
  22. Communications - Beacon Control, Nov. 5, 1964
  23. BIA-SEQ., Dec. 21, 1964

BIA-SEQ. (GLV Interface), Apr. 7, 1965 (see Oversize Materials); Instrument Panel Diagram, n.d.

BIA-SEQ. (GLV Interface)

Instrument panel diagram, Feb. 3, 1965; Launch Vehicle Guidance and Control Subsystem diagram, Jun. 25, 1965; Fuel Cell Power System Briefing, 1965

Content
  1. Section I - Systems, [1965] (3 folders)
  2. Section II - Controls and Displays, Sept. 10, 1965 (2 folders)
  3. Section II - Controls and Displays (Revision B), Nov. 24, 1965
Content
  1. Section III - Spacecraft Operations Procedures, Oct. 3, 1965
  2. Section III - Spacecraft operations Procedures (Revision B), Nov. 26, 1965
Content
  1. Instrument panel diagram, Apr. 16, 1965
  2. Fuel Cell Power System Briefing, Nov. 9, 1965
  3. Reactant Supply System Fuel Cell Performance Analysis, Mar. 9, 1966
Content
  1. Mission Profile, Jan. 20, 1966
  2. Normal Phase Pane Detail, Jan. 25, 1965
  3. Launch Windows, Jan. 25, 1966
  4. Instrument panel diagram, Feb. 11, 1966
  5. Astronaut Briefing: Communication Systems, Apr. 6, 1966
  6. Rendezvous procedures, [1966]
Content
  1. Orbital and Rendezvous Report, Apr. 14, 1966
  2. Preflight Reentry Report, Apr. 14, 1966
  3. Flight Plan, Apr. 18, 1966 (2 folders)
Content
  1. Operations Handbook (Revision C), May 20, 1966 (3 folders)
  2. Mission Rules (Revision G), May 25, 1966 (3 folders)
  3. Mission Plan/Preliminary Trajectory Plan, [1966]
  4. General Materials
  5. Preliminary Mission Profile [cover and title pg. only], Jan. 18, 1966
  6. Astronaut Briefing: Propulsion, Apr. 7, 1966
  7. Spacecraft 9 Power System Review, [1966]
  8. Bus power diagram, [1966]
  9. Command Pilot Rendezvous Book, [1966]
  10. Instrument panel diagram, [1966]
  11. Astronaut Briefing: Environmental Control System, [1966]
Content
  1. Section II (Preliminary) - Controls and Displays, May 20, 1966 (3 folders)
  2. Section III - Spacecraft Operations Procedures, May 10, 1966 (2 folders)
Content
  1. Instrument panel diagram, May 20, 1966
  2. >Non-Nominal Reset Points, Jun. 9, 1966
  3. Launch/Reentry Exercises, Jun. 13, 1966
  4. Gemini-Titan X/SNS/01, Jun. 13, 1966
  5. Gemini-Titan X/SNS/02, [1966]
  6. Gemini-Titan X/SNS/04, [1966]
Content
  1. Floor Plan - Cape Canaveral Gemini Mission
  2. Instrument panel diagrams, n.d. [2 items]
  3. Environmental Control System - Coolant Circuit
  4. Environmental Control System - Oxygen Circuit diagram, n.d.

[AS-204A]/v. 1 - Description and Utilization

[AS-204A]/v.1 - Description and Utilization - system diagrams [12 items]

[AS-204A]/v. 2 - Instructor Workbook

Content
  1. (Revision C), Jul. 7, 1967 (2 folders)
  2. (Revision C - Reprint), Aug. 2, 1967 (2 folders)
Content
  1. Command Service Module Systems Handbook: Command Service Modules 101 - Publication and Control Sheet, Apr. 28, 1967
  2. Apollo Guidance and Navigation - [AS-205/208], Jun. 1967
  3. >Apollo Orbital Charts and Procedures - [AS 205/208],[1967]
Content
  1. (Revision A), Oct. 27, 1966 (3 folders)
  2. (Revision B), Mar. 16, 1967 (3 folders)
Content
  1. Communications Subsystem (Revision C), Jan. 1967
  2. Control Electronics Section and Abort Guidance Section, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)
  3. Crew Systems, Feb. 1967 (3 folders)
  4. Electrical Power Subsystem, Jan. 1, 1967
Content
  1. Environmental Control Subsystem (Revised), Dec. 1966 (2 folders)
  2. Guidance, Navigation and Control Subsystem, Mar. 1, 1966 (2 folders)
  3. Instrumentation Subsystem (Revised), Nov. 1966 (3 folders)
Content
  1. Propulsion and Reaction Control System, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)
  2. Radars, Feb. 1967 (2 folders)

Structures, Mechanical Systems and Electroexplosive Devices (2 folders)

Content
  1. Familiarization Course (Revision A), Jan. 20, 1967 (2 folders)
  2. System Mechanization, Jan. 27, 1967 (5 folders)
  3. Computer Utility Programs (Revision A), Apr. 5, 1967 (3 folders)
Content
  1. Familiarization Course (Revision A), Feb. 15, 1967 (3 folders)
  2. Computer Utility Programs, Mar. 2, 1967 (3 folders)
Content
  1. Block II Spacecraft (v.1 - Spacecraft Description), Mar. 1, 1967 (5 folders)
  2. Command Service Modules Block II (Preliminary)
  3. Service Propulsion System (Subsection 2.4), Mar. 1, 1967
  4. Environmental Control System (Subsection 2.7), Feb. 1, 1967
  5. Telecommunications System (Subsection 2.8), Mar. 1, 1967
  6. Sequential Systems (Subsection 2.9), Feb. 1, 1967
Content
  1. Block II Command Service Modules Propulsion Subsystem, Feb. 23, 1967
  2. Electrical Power Subsystem, Feb. 22, 1967
  3. Guidance and Control Systems - Block II, Mar. 31, 1967 (2 folders)
  4. Telecommunications System, Feb. 15, 1967
Content
  1. Crew Equipment, Apr. 1, 1966
  2. Crew Systems, Mar. 1, 1965
  3. Electrical Power System, Oct. 1, 1965
  4. Environmental Control Subsystem, Feb. 18, 1966
  5. Guidance and Navigation Subsystem, Mar. 25, 1966
  6. Stabilization and Control Subsystem, May. 9, 1966

v.1 - Simulator Description

Content
  1. v.2 - Simulator Operation, Apr. 1, 1967
  2. Section 1 - Simulator Operation (2 folders)
  3. v.2 - Simulator Operation (Changed), May 15, 1967
  4. Section 1 - Simulator Operation
Content
  1. Section 2 - Malfunction Data (3 folders)
  2. Section 3 - Lunar-landing Mission Procedures (4 folders)
  3. Section 4 - Instructor Activity for Interface Operation

Section 4 - Instructor Activity for Interface Operation

Content
  1. v.2 - Simulator Operation, Apr. 1, 1967
  2. Section 5 - Instructor Material (6 folders)
  3. Section 6 - Scripting Data Sheets (2 folders)
  4. Section 7 - Simulator Output Tables, Jul. 1, 1967 (3 folders)
Contents
  1. v.1, Jan 1, 1967 (3 folders)
  2. v.2, Jan. 1, 1967 (3 folders)
  3. v.2 (Changed), Mar. 20, 1967
Content
  1. Complex 34/37 Safety Orientation - Course OP-108, Aug. 15, 1967
  2. Complex 39 Safety Orientation - Course OP-107, Aug. 1, 1967
Content
  1. Rendezvous Radar/Transportation System, [1967]
  2. Control Electronics Section System, n.d.
  3. Instrumentation Subsystem, n.d.
Content
  1. Orbital tracking chart, n.d.
  2. Fuel chart, n.d.
  3. TSPI Systems chart, n.d.
  4. Film charts, n.d. [2 items]
Content
  1. NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas, [c.1963]
  2. NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, [1964]
  3. NASA Facts, v.2, no.5: Launch Vehicles, [1965]
  4. Roster of Military Personnel at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, 1966
  5. Payload Flight Assingments - NASA Mixed Fleet, 1989-1991 [2 items]
Content
  1. DiscoverMagazine, Oct. 2001 (includes article on a Russian Space program)
  2. IEEE Spectrum, Jul. 1994 (includes "The Moon Landing: a 25th Anniversary Perspective")
  3. USAA Magazine, Jun/Jul 1999 (features article on first lunar landing)
  4. "America in Space" - Science Applications International Calendar, 1997
  5. National Geographic "Sounds of Space Age" sound disc, 1969
Biographical / historical:

James J. Avitabile, an air force officer from East Haven, Connecticut, graduated from the University of Connecticut and obtained an MBA from Western New England College. He entered the United States Air Force in 1959. During his career, Lieutenant Colonel Avitabile served as an Atlas E operations launch officer and as an astronaut mission operations instructor at NASA's spacecraft simulator complex responsible for astronaut mission flight training at Cape Canaveral/Kennedy from 1965 to 1967. He also served in the Air Force's Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) Program Office; as airborne test director for the E-3A Airborne Warnings and Control Systems (AWACS) Aircraft; and as activation director for the AWACS Operating Base. He was a member of the Cadre Office at NATO, responsible for the fielding of the NATO AWACS system and was a program director responsible for the acquisition of Air Force Command and Control Systems. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Lt. Col. Avitabile worked for General Electric, where he directed military and commercial space programs. Lt. Col. Avitabile and his wife Maria have three daughters and eight grandchildren.

Acquisition information:
The James J. Avitabile Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 2001.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement and description of this collection commenced in October 2001 and was completed in March 2002.

Additional arrangement and description of the James J. Avitabile Papers was completed as part of the project, "Piercing the Veil: Creating Access to the Archives of American Aerospace Exploration at Virginia Tech," funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in 2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged according to subject matter in the following series:

Series I: NASA Programs, 1963-1967, n.d. This series has been further divided into the following subseries:

Subseries A: Project Mercury, 1963, n.d.

Subseries B: Project Gemini, 1963-1966, n.d.

Subseries C: Project Apollo, 1964-1967, n.d.

Series II: NASA Computer Systems, 1962-1966, n.d.

Series III: NASA Public Information, 1962-1991, n.d.

Series IV: General Materials, 1969-2001, n.d.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard