Apollo Saturn LM Adapter Optical Targets
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  • Complete set of four optical target scales used in aligning the Saturn Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) during stacking on the Saturn V or Saturn 1B launch vehicle.
  • The crew operating the crane would sight the scales through telescopes, which would reverse the image to show the numbers correctly.
  • The scales would be removed before flight.
  • The “-Z” scale can be seen in the Apollo 12 stacking photo below.
  • The scales have obvious signs of use, perhaps from more than one Apollo launch.

TBD lbs. (TBD kg)

Photo above shows the Apollo 12 spacecraft being raised to the top of the Saturn V launch vehicle. A SLA alignment optical target can be seen at the base of the SLA, above the LM leg (see enlargement below). Note the large white “-Z” orientation marking at the top of the launch vehicle. (NASA photo)

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