Re:Calibration Display for NASA (2019)
by tablespoon on Saturday April 01, 2023 @03:42PM
(#35403409)
I won't believe it at least until see a reference to this item NASA itself, and even then, I'd still be skeptical. It's getting filed under "April Fools."
The Nixie tubes were chosen because they are capable of displaying numerals with high accuracy and resolution, making them ideal for calibrating high-precision instruments like video cameras. In addition, the tubes are highly reliable and have a long lifespan, which makes them suitable for use in space missions where repair or replacement is difficult or impossible.
Furthermore, the article mentions that the use of Nixie tubes for this purpose was also driven by a desire to incorporate vintage technology into modern applications, in this case, space exploration. By using Nixie tubes, NASA was able to achieve both the high precision required for their calibration needs while also incorporating a unique and interesting visual element.
Overall, the use of Nixie tubes by NASA for calibration purposes demonstrates the continued relevance and utility of this vintage technology in modern applications. Really cool.