NASA Toggle Switch, Space Shuttle, Apollo CM, Sim, Rockwell Surplus

Description

Up for auction is an ULTRA COOL and SUPER RARE piece of historic NASA space program hardware and a must have for any space flight fan! These toggle switches were manufactured for NASA by the Micro Swich division of Honeywell. This model was one of the final designs slated for flight use in the Apollo Block I CM, however due to technical issues and the tragic Apollo 1 fire, all flight rated switches were upgraded to fully hermetically sealed units manufactured by Klixon. These switches were less costly than the flight rated units while offering the same action, forces, ratings, switch tips, look & feel, etc., so they were often used in ground based training equipment, simulators, mock-ups, etc. all throughout NASA’s facilities, as well as program Contractor and Subcontractor plants around the US all throughout Apollo, Skylab, and Shuttle era.
This specific switch is a 2 position DPST/ ON - ON(momentary) switch rated for 5amps at 125-250VAC/28VDC, with screw type terminals, a red RTV based hermetically sealed lever and the iconic serrated paddle style tip unique to Apollo/Shuttle switches. It was purchased in a lot of similar switches in the 90’s at a surplus auction for Rockwell (formally North American Rockwell, prime contractor of the Apollo CM and Space Shuttle).
The switch is in excellent condition with no slop in the action and clean terminals, with an anodized titanium switch guard that appears to possibly be flight rated hardware. The switch is marked with with a date code putting its manufacture in early 1996, shortly before space shuttle Endeavour underwent its first Orbiter Maintenance Down Period (OMDP) at Rockwell’s Palmdale, California plant following the end of mission STS-77. The mid-90’s were a tumultuous time for Rockwell, with the company deciding to sell its defense and aerospace business, including what was once North American Aviation, the Defense Electronics Division, and Rocketdyne, to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems only a few months after this switch was manufactured. Although we know this switch was non-flight rated, it was likely used on ground training equipment or mock-ups made by Rockwell or Boeing. It was purchased in a lot of similar switches from a Boeing defense surplus auction in the mid 2000’s and listed as coming from Rockwell aerospace’s manned spaceflight division.
If you’ve never had the chance to flip a genuine NASA spec toggle switch before, it’s not like a normal toggle switch - the snap action is HEAVY and the detents are VERY positive. These switches are INCREDIBLY SATISFYING to flip and make an amazing, hands on centerpiece for any collection as well as an irreplaceable piece of NASA history so treat it well!
Free shipping to the Continental United States!