MIT Prototype
This one of a kind projector was built by Spitz under contract from NASA for the Apollo Space Program. The projector was computer controlled to recreate space craft movements in space and to simulate a trip to the moon. The projector was sent to MIT which in turn made the navigation computer for the Apollo Project. After the Apollo Program ended it was sent to Boston University where it served as their planetarium projector for 20 years. The projector is capable of projecting close to 3,000 stars and has a 24 inch starball which may be the largest pinhole starball ever made. This also served as the prototype for the Spitz STS planetarium projector. Due to the historical significance of this planetarium projector the museum was indeed fortunate to be able to purchase it and would like to thank Steve Pielock for the background information and also his help in obtaining it.
Langley Prototype
Langley Research Center (NASA) in Hampton, VA. for training astronauts, constructed in 1965.
The "Saint" Prototype
Prototype built for an Americain gay superclub: "The Saint" in New York between 1980 and 1988.
There is a one-of-a-kind Spitz STP/Model B Hybrid that was built for a nightclub!
The star chambers are believed to be originally from the USAF Model B that were re-purposed for a client in NYC
Brent Sullivan, Planetarium Projector Collector - Phoenix, AZ, USA
More:
- Planetarium projectors Museum (Owen Phairis)
- Langley projector (Wikipedia)
- The Saint (Wikipedia)