Where it began: Historic Explorer I and III Satellite Transistors from Jet Propulsion Labs and NASA

Show and tell of several transistors from NASA and JPL surplus. Actual transistors used for testing at JPL. #nasa #spacetechnology #technology #space #spacex #western electric
My NASA related items come from a friend of mine whose father was an engineer, watchmaker, and clockmaker. He traded a fellow watchmaker in the early 1970s some watch parts and tools for a truckload of NASA surplus from the JPL campus in Los Angeles, California. Most of the items are raw parts ranging from resistors and capacitors to integrated circuits and console buttons. There are a couple dozen breadboards, manufactured items, and unusual ephemera as well. Manufacturers like Western Electric, Fairchild, Signets, General Microelectronics, and Texas Instruments. Almost all of the items were unlabeled and mixed with loads of other items. I plan to create some original youtube video to cover things like early transistors and ICs in space, durability and functionality of components, and “What is this?”. I am no expert. All I know comes from searching the internet and leaning on other people’s knowledge (much of which is starting to get lost). I have many things that I can’t find other examples of anywhere on the internet. I hope to be able to share them with other interested people.

[@stanmeyer9770]

Very interesting video. I have some of these transistors in my collection and never realized the significance of their use in early space satelite technology.

[@RealSpaceJunk]

Cool! I think the red Raytheons are fairly rare because they were very expensive and primarily used by US Government/Military agencies. I'll explore some more and see if I can find some others you might find interesting.

[@arthurmario5996]

nice find!

[@RealSpaceJunk]

One of a few gems I've found that I will talk about. Many more to come. Thanks for the comment and interest!