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We obtained a mysterious box of 1960s electronics. I reverse-engineered it, and with much effort, we got it running. It turns out to be a test unit for testing NASA's Up-Data Link, a system from the Apollo moon landing to control the spacecraft from the ground. Let's take a look inside... 1/n

The box uses an old style of electronics that predates integrated circuits. Each thumb-sized encapsulated module implements a few logic gates or other simple circuit. A cryptic label such as "2/2G&2/1G" hints at the function. 3/n

The modules were mounted on circuit boards in rows with a module-sized gap in between. Two boards could be fitted together with modules sliding into gaps to form a tight sandwich. These dense sandwiches slid into the top of the box to create its circuits. 4/n

How could I find out what's inside these sealed modules and what they do? I tested various signals to learn their functions. Then @lumafield.bsky.social did a 3D CT scan to reveal the components (transistors, diodes, resistors, and capacitors) stacked inside.