John Glenn's rocket

A recovered fragment of the booster that carried John Glenn into orbit.

Apollo Soyuz Docking Module Simulator Panel

This metal plaque at the bottom that reads: "To Donald K (Deke) Slayton / Apollo-Soyuz Test Project / Docking Module Simulator Panel / From your Friends in the Data Systems and Analysis Directorate". The dial "guts" and wires are behind all the dials, exactly as it came from the Simulator. This panel was a cherished part of Slayton's memorabilia.

Al Stevens original Pen and Ink

This is an original drawing made by artist Al Stevens during the process of creating the Apollo 11 mission emblem.

Something to hold on to

Here is the hand-grip to the optics panel onboard the Kitty Hawk. As noted in Roosa's letter of authenticity that accompanies this piece, "This optics handhold was used onboard the command module Kitty Hawk on the Apollo 14 mission to Fra Mauro. This handhold was to steady the command module pilot in the 'zero g' environment while he made sightings through the optical system."

First Flights Presentation

A "First Flights" presentation with actual pieces from each of the major first flights... from the Wright Brothers to Apollo 11. Learn more about this piece at... FirstFlights.

The Beginning... Project Mercury and Gemini

The Mercury Seven... signed by all.

A spike... that was removed from the railroad... that carried the rocket... that first took Alan Shepard into space.

A spike from the railroad track that transported the Freedom 7 rocket to Launch Complex 5/6 for the first suborbital space flight by Alan B. Shepard Jr., on 5 of May, 1961. This railway was also used to move the gantry away from the launch pad prior to lift off. Launch Complex 5/6, with it's support railroad, was also the site of the launch of Explorer 1, America's first satellite.

Freedom 7 pin

"This pin is unobtainable commercially. Recipients rather are honored guests and/or distinguished visitors to Virginia Beach. Only through the expressed authority of the City Council of Virginia Beach are these pins presented."

This is a prop used in the opening scene of the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon." I believe it was John Glenn that placed a card like this in Alan Shepard's capsule right before his flight to relieve some of the tension that must have been incredibly high at that moment. The astronauts in the early space program were intense, competitive, handball players.

The Mercury Project

'Remove Before Flight' banner from Project Mercury. Flag bears the Convair-Astronautics / General Dynamics metal tag. This banner is from the fuel valve lock assembly. Unit is complete with cable, lock pin, aluminum I.D. plate and banner. Measures: 36" X 3" This canvas piece was wrapped around the Mercury capsule upon the completion of it's construction.

A Pewter Liberty Bell 7

This is a limited edition pewter capsule made for the Discovery Channel to commemorate the raising of the "Liberty Bell" from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

Liberty Bell 7 artifact

This is a segment of the landing bag assembly from the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft. This piece has not only has been into space along with America's second astronaut, but it has also rested on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for 37 years before being salvaged.

Topping Model

The Mercury spacecraft, in orbit around the Earth. Only four Americans have ever orbited the Earth solo, and this is the craft that they used. Glenn, Carpenter, Schirra, and Gordon. I've met them all ... how cool is that?

A piece of Friendship 7... a moment in history

This is the bolt and washer that broke in the process of securing the hatch to John Glenn's capsule, Friendship 7.

And the matching piece

This is the plate nut removed from Friendship 7 that delayed the launching of America's first man into orbit. One of the hatch bolts broke when sealing John Glenn's capsule for launch. The hatch had to be removed and this plate nut was then drilled out and replaced.

Launch preparations for Friendship 7

There is a great story about this scene that Ed Hengeveld has captured in this painting.
On February 13, 1962, the world held it's collective breath anxiously awaiting for the first American to orbit the Earth while technicians feverishly worked to replace a single hatch bolt that had broken off and delayed the flight for 22 minutes. Guenter Wendt, the Pad Leader, placed this piece of history into his pocket and later preserved it in lucite.
Read the whole story in "The Unbroken Chain" by Guenter Wendt and Russell Still.

Nothing more important than Friendship

Friendship 7 medallion... vintage.

Friendship 7 flight map

This is one section of a folded world map showing the path of John Glenn's three orbit flight around the Earth.

A piece of John Glenn's spacesuit

This is a section of the umbilical hose from John Glenn's spacesuit. This hose segment was originally given to Tom Morley by John Glenn after his famous flight of becoming the first American to orbit of the Earth. Morley was a radio broadcaster who was assigned to cover the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo flights and developed many friendships among the early space pioneers.

McDonnell Project Mercury stamp

These lucites were made for, and presented to, McDonnell employees who worked on the Friendship 7 space capsule, after John Glenn's successful mission.

Mercury heat shield

From Aurora 7.

The Mercury Capsule

"You don't get in this-you put it on!" Wally Schirra

Faith 7 Flag

Gordon Cooper carried this flag in his spacesuit during his Mercury flight.

A gift from JFK

A fountain pen given to Gordon Cooper by President Kennedy at the White House.

Mercury hand railing

A small section removed from the gantry... many a historical figure had held onto this railing as they walked to our nation's early spacecrafts.

Project Gemini

From the Glenn L. Martin Space Division comes this very early conceptual print & painting of a Gemini Spacecraft going into orbit after lifting off from the Earth. This is a beauty, and is a base print, that has been highlighted by a Martin Company illustrator artist with painted details. This was an in-house item, and not meant for public use, or ownership.

Flown on every flight

Project Gemini, sandwiched between the Mercury and Apollo missions, is so often overlooked and mostly forgotten. The accomplishments, the people, and the stories behind it make it one of most fascinating periods of space exploration. These are the missions where the first space walks occurred, the first rendezvous and dockings were accomplished, and where the men of Apollo gained experience.
This piece contains Fliteline medallions that were carried on each of the ten different missions and was presented to Edward K. Thompson, the editor of LIFE magazine during the golden age of space exploration. Thompson was responsible for the contract between LIFE magazine and the astronauts, which brought the space program into every American home and much needed money into the pocket of each astronaut.
From what I understand only 25 of these Gemini acrylics were produced with each astronaut retaining one, and the very few remaining ones went to dignitaries or individuals who significantly contributed to the space program.

Pad 19

This a huge bolt that was removed from the Pad 19 launch tower. Pad 19 was the launch site of all the Gemini missions. The bolt is forever suspended in aged, scratched, and yellowed lucite. It's obviously been viewed and handled a great deal. It's incredible.

The White Room

This is a little piece of tubing that was removed from the Pad 19 White Room before it's demise. Pad 19 was the location of the Project Gemini launches. Notice the remaining white patches of paint.

"Almost flew" on GT-4

A great gag presentation, from the collection of Jim McDivitt, poking fun at flown items.

The first rendezvous

I think it's great that the first rendezvous in space was also one of the missions with the greatest photography.

Almost the first docking!

If these two spacecrafts had gotten any closer they would have touched.

Gemini 7 bolt

A small flown bolt from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

Gemini 8 Lucite

Neil Armstrong's first flight

Neil Armstrong commanded one other mission beside Apollo 11. He and Dave Scott flew the Gemini VIII flight where the first space docking occurred. The flight nearly ended in tragedy when a thruster stuck open, spinning the craft at one revolution per second. Dave Scott told me that he was thankful that he flew with Armstrong as he was calm throughout the incident and handled this nearly fatal situation better that anyone else could have.

Apollo

The Moon and beyond

Artist, unknown.

All-in-one Apollo patch

Here's the very first concept patch for an All-In-One Apollo patch.

Moon rock container

Containers such as this one were made to store and transport moonrocks upon return to Earth. They were made of stainless steel which would not contaminate the precious specimens that they contained... and they were made strong, heavy, and secured, to keep the specimens from contaminating the Earth with possible alien pathogens.

Apollo food

Yum!!!

Apollo drink containers

These worked the same way as the spoon bowls. The one on the left was coffee... Apollo was the first program to offer coffee to the astronauts during their flight.

Apollo spoon bowls

These empty packs would have had dehydrated food in them for the Apollo missions. The astronaut would have injected water in through the "spout" in the bottom of the bag, then needed the water into the food, waited a few minutes, and then unzipped the top and spooned the food out.

A piece of Apollo 4

Apollo 4 was the first flight of the huge and powerful Saturn V rocket. It was amazing. America was in a race to get to the Moon and time was running out, or so America believed. It was decided to do an "All Up" testing, meaning that all the stages of the Saturn V would be tested together as one rocket, rather than the previous method of testing each component separately before attempting a complete version. And it went well. No one had ever witnessed a launch of such a huge spacecraft before and it was startling. Walter Cronkite, who was covering the launch from a remote office three miles away had ceiling tiles fall around him and he felt compelled to brace the glass viewing window to keep it from breaking in on him. Only one other unmanned launch of the Saturn V would occur before the crew of Apollo 8 climbed aboard one of these skyscrapers and flew it to the Moon. This is small piece of heatshielding from the returning command module from that flight.

Apollo heat shield test block

Ablative material that covered the Apollo command module.

Pin Collection

Over 200 pins from Mercury to the Shuttle. At least I think that's how many... if you care to count, let me know what you come up with!

Apollo 7

The Front Line of Apollo

This photo is of the Apollo 7 crew during one of their lighter moments. (With Wally Schirra as commander I imagine there were many light moments.) Walt Cunningham told me, as he was signing this photo, that he was the only one with the proper stance... that "the other two would get knocked over on their backsides in a second."

Three different spacecraft

A NASA artist drawing of the first three types of manned spacecraft... Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Who better to sign this item than Wally Schirra? The only man to ride, not to mention command, all three.
Wally added his opinion of each. ;)
What a great guy, a legend... Wally Schirra... we miss you.

Fountain pen flown on Apollo 7

This pen was used by Donn Eislie throughout the Apollo 7 mission. Note the velcro that is still attached to the pen's casing to restrain it from floating around the spacecraft. Eislie's signature on this piece will outlast us all, being engraved into the brass plate. This presentation was originally given to Hal Collins after the A7 mission as a token of their appreciation for his service.

The Apollo White Room

This beta cloth pouch was used in the White Room by Guenter Wendt to store misc items that were used throughout the Apollo program to "ready the flights". Not only was it THERE during that incredible time... but before it was used in such a humble service... it was carried on one of the early Apollo flights... exactly which one?... it's not known.

The Turtle Club

The official card that every member of the "International Association of Turtles" carries.

Apollo 8

Description from the individual we received this item from:
"During the mid-1960s, I was fortunate enough to be Director of Advanced Systems at North American Aviation, Inc. Space and Information Systems Division in Downey California. During that time I received many models, paintings and publications related to our company’s historic work on the Apollo Moon landing program, and the visionary work we were doing on what space exploration would follow it. Most of what I received were company property and were rightly left for my successor. But a few items were specifically personal gifts, albeit from those whose "day-jobs" often involved the space race. Here is one such item. A framed, 18" X 36", oil painting on tempered masonite representing the Apollo Command Module returning to Earth from the Moon and beginning its fiery atmospheric descent. The artist is and has been unknown to me. It was done on his own time, and is unsigned (although there are a few areas that look as if they could be a name, but undecipherable to me). This painting has hung in my home office for more than 40 years, bringing me awe and excitement every time I glance at it. "

Apollo 8 ablator plug

A little piece of the Apollo 8 Command Module. History floating in a piece of plastic. I just love the typewritten description of this item and the listing of the crew. Of all the missions ever flown, I believe Apollo 8 was my favorite. Three men climbed aboard the largest rocket ever built, which had never been been manned, and flew it all the way out to the Moon. This item is an electrical plug that was on the upper part of the CM. The size of the plug tells you how important the person destined to receive this piece was. The charred whole plugs were given to the most important people in NASA and the contractors, next was the 1/2 cut charred plug, then came the full electrical plug that was not charred, then the 1/4-1/8 cut charred plug, then the cut electrical plugs.

Apollo 8 Lunar Orbit Mission

This lucite was made by Howard E Spencer, a member of the North American Rockwell recovery team. The lucite contains a photo of Spencer standing next to the Apollo 8 CM, as well as an ablator plug which he removed after the flight.

Apollo 9

In Earth orbit

Apollo 9, by Ed Hengeveld. Can you imagine being one of these guys?

The crew of Apollo 9

Apollo VIII

This is an original artist concept painting for the Apollo 8 mission emblem. It is beautifully painted by Al Stevens who designed many of the Apollo crew patches. Notice the similarities in design to what was to become the Apollo 9 mission emblem. It even has the names of the Apollo 9 crew on it.
Originally, Apollo 8 was intended to follow Apollo 7 with an Earth orbit testing of the lunar module. There was a delay in completing the LM which postponed that objective. Meanwhile it was feared that the Soviet Union might attempt a manned lunar orbit mission before America could. So, the original Apollo 8 mission was redesignated as Apollo 9 and a new mission with the crew of Borman, Lovell, and Anders became Apollo 8. They became mankind's first visitors to the Moon... and the only ones to go there without a lunar module!
The painting has been signed by Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart... notice that Rusty has added a "c" that was left out of his name. :)

Rusty Schweickart and Dave Scott

Rusty Schweickart and Dave Scott are here looking at the Apollo VIII crew patch (seen below) and reflecting back to that very short period in their life when they were members of the crew of Apollo VIII... which was only for a few weeks, until their mission designation was changed to Apollo 9.

A little bit of Apollo 9

A chunk of heatshield from the Apollo 9 Capsule... Gumdrop.

Apollo 10

A little piece of Charlie Brown

A little piece of the heat shield from the command module "Charlie Brown"

Snoopy

Even our comics got involved in the space race and went to the Moon. Snoopy was a favorite. The lunar module of Apollo10 was known as "Snoopy" and the command module was "Charlie Brown."

Charlie Brown

Apollo 10 Command Module Flown Rotational Controller Handle from the Charlie Brown CM, presented to Lunar Module Pilot Gene Cernan. A milled aluminum handle, approximately 4.5" tall with a black "trigger" and indented finger grips. It is custom mounted under Plexiglas to a heavy wooden mount with an overall size of 17" x 9.5" x 7.75". With it are two snapshot size photos, one of the CM sixty miles above the moon, and the other of astronauts Tom Stafford and John Young inside the CM with the rotational hand controllers visible in the photo. This is one of two such handles from this flight. The engraved plate on the side of the display exhibits the following text:

ROTATIONAL HAND CONTROLLER GRIP
REMOVED FROM THE
APOLLO 10 COMMAND MODULE "CHARLIE BROWN"
FOLLOWING ITS HISTORIC TRIP TO THE MOON.
MAY 18-26, 1969
The Apollo 10 mission to the moon in May 1969 was the final, full-scale dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing achieved by Apollo 11 just two months later. Apollo 10 accomplished several space "firsts", including the first rendezvous and docking of two spacecraft in lunar orbit. During reentry in their Command Module Charlie Brown, the Apollo 10 crew reached the fastest speed ever achieved by a human, 28,529 statute miles per hour. This is a record that potentially will not be broken until the first astronauts return from Mars. Control of the Command Module to achieve these space milestones was conducted using the two onboard hand controllers.

Parachute chord

Apollo 11

Neil Armstrong is remembered for being the first man on the Moon. Unfortunately, there were few photographs taken of him on the Moon. That's because Neil was busy with the only camera, taking many of the greatest photos on the Moon!

Buzz's boot

Perhaps one of the most dramatic images of the 20th century, signed by the Man who took it.

Apollo 11 flag

"Howard, I truly appreciate all the personal effort you put into your job and your responses to my special requests. I will value your friendship always, and as a token, please accept this flag flown for me, by Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11. Thank you, Riley David McCafferty 10/3/69"

Capitol Flag

This flag was briefly flown over the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on July 20, 1969... the day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon.

Apollo 11 Splashdown celebration flag

There was a lot of celebrating the moment Apollo 11 returned safely from the Moon. This flag was one of the flags that was waving in Mission Control that day.

Authentic Apollo 11 US flag spacesuit patch

This patch was removed from a spacesuit used by astronauts practicing for the Apollo 11 mission at the Langley Research Center. Notice the intricate stitching used to sew the beta cloth to the thick rubber underlining material. Both Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot and Michael Collins, the Command Module Pilot have signed this piece. For more information on the Langley Research Center check out... http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/Apollo.html


Neil Armstrong's practice suit patch on display at the Kennedy Space Center.

Buzz and Noah

That's right, me and Buzz Aldrin, moonwalker from Apollo 11.
Life is good. :)

Apollo 11 artist proof

All crew emblems go through a process of concept, artist renderings, and then multiple revisions. This is an early Apollo 11 concept original painting by NASA artist, Al Stevens. Notice that the Eagle is coming in for a landing from the left as it originally appeared in a National Geographic magazine article on eagles that Michael Collins found for inspiration. There is an American flag seen here which would later be removed, and notice that the olive branch that would be later added to create more of a "for all mankind" statement is missing.
Notice also that the names of the Apollo 11 astronauts would eventually be removed because, as Michael Collins wrote, "this was an event bigger than three individuals."

Apollo 11 artist proof #2

Notice the changes that were made after the first artist's proof (shown above) The patch is now circular in shape. The red patch has been replaced with a blue one and the eagle is now carrying an "XI" in it's claws (later to be replaced with an olive branch.) Notice also that the American flag is now gone.

Artist Proof #3

The rendering has now been reduced in size to that of an actual patch.

America's greatest document... flown to the Moon.

The only known copy of the Declaration of Independence to have been taken to the Moon. How fitting that it was on Apollo 11. I consider this to be the most significant document ever produced by mankind. (Maybe I'm just partial to it, as it was written by a neighbor of mine... Thomas Jefferson.)

Fourteen pieces of Columbia

These ablator plugs were removed from the Apollo 11 command Module from the forward heat shield upon her return from the Moon. This lucite was made by Howard E Spencer, a member of the North American Rockwell recovery team. A very interesting piece to ponder... not just a single piece of Apollo 11 but fourteen unique items in one presentation.


The Apollo 11 crew... Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.

Practice nametag

The NASA employee that made the official Apollo suit nametags practiced three times before making the final ones. This is one of those practice nametags.

Neil and Buzz

This dollar bill was obtained from the estate of the Vice President of First City National Bank in Houston, Texas. He had Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin sign it shortly after their historic first Moon landing.

July 16, 1969

On the morning of July 16, 1969 Neil Armstrong wrote this check.
The Apollo 11 crew was awoken shortly after 4:00am and would find themselves on their way to the Moon only a few short hours later. The morning's activities were filled with showering, eating breakfast, undergoing medical examinations, putting on their spacesuits, saying their goodbyes, and making the trip out to the launch pad and up the elevator to the top of the thirty story tall craft that would take them to the Moon where they would make mankind's first landing on another world.
Neil Armstrong had previously borrowed $10.50 from Harold Collins, the former NASA Chief of Mission Support, and then repaid the loan on launch day as a ritual of good luck. Upon presenting the check to Collins, Armstrong told him "Here's a check for the loan... but don't cash it because I WILL be coming back!"



Neil Armstrong .... July 16, 1969 If you'd like to learn more check out this site which showcases the "good luck" check that Neil Armstrong signed the morning of his Apollo 11 launch to the Moon.

Neil's checkbook

Here we see the Apollo 11 crew, along with Bill Anders and Deke Slayton, having breakfast before the launch. Notice what's on the table in front of Neil Armstrong.

Let's zoom in for a better look...


And closer still... it appears to be a checkbook/wallet combination that was very poplar at the time. And probably the source of the "Launch Day Good Luck Check."

Moon Manifest

This is a copy of the Customs declaration that the Apollo 11 astranauts filled out upon their return from the Moon. This document, the plaque that was left on the Moon, and the check above are the only three examples that I am aware of that Neil Armstrong included his middle initial.

Moon plaque

This limited edition replica Apollo 11 Moon Plaque is made from high-grade 1/16" 'rolled' stainless steel, the same material used to fabricate the original Moon plaque. The original Apollo 11 Moon Plaque is still on the Moon, attached to the ladder of the descent stage of the lunar module "Eagle". This replica is the same size as the original 9" x 7 5/8", and has been "rolled" to conform to the curvature of the landing gear strut where it was attached. The Eagles plaque is located between the third and fourth rungs of the ladder, and is attached by four stainless steel straps.

The value of "the story behind the item"

Sometimes the story behind an item is worth more than the item itself. This small pewter plaque is only worth a few dollars... but to have been given the plaque by the first man to walk on the Moon... priceless.

TV in 1969

This small lapel pin is from the estate of Joe Thomas who was a photographer for the Republican Courier (the newspaper in Findley, Ohio). Joe took a photograph of his television set while Neil Armstrong was on the Moon and that photograph was used in the next days newspaper. This pin was created to commemorate that edition. Obviously Joe was very proud of his contribution... enough to hold onto this pin for many years and then to go to the trouble of creating this note of authenticity. I find it very interesting how this piece illustrates that era so well... that newsworthy images were obtained in such a fashion as taking a photo of one's TV set.

Lunar rocks...

Tektites... from Buzz Aldrin's personal collection... used during Apollo 11 training.

Buzz and his father.

Again, from Buzz's personal collection... the wrist watch was his... the pocket watch was his fathers.

Neil's footprints

Neil's toy

Neil Armstrong has earned quite a few titles including "First man to walk on the Moon"... but his favorite of all is simply "Engineer". I can't think of a better way to develope an interest in a child for engineering than letting them play with an erector set.

A letter from Neil's mother

Mrs. Armstrong writes about the homecoming parade being give in Wapokeneta, Ohio for her son. The letter is written on September 1, 1969 just a few weeks after Neil Armstrong's historic first walk on the Moon.

Neil's X-15

Here are four fragments from North American's X-15 #3. Neil Armstrong was this planes first pilot. This X-15 would reach space 11 times during it's flight history. The plane was lost in 1967 during it's 65th flight leaving debris scattered over an 11 square mile area. The small irregular black piece is made of Iconel-X which is a special heat resistant metal used in the construction of the crafts outer skin.

One small step for a man

A short sweet note from Neil Armstrong's mother.

To Mom, From Neil

After returning from the Moon, Neil Armstrong presented his mother with a moon globe and this booklet that described where he had been.

Neil Steps on the Moon

This is the "Hometown Edition" of the Wapakonetta Moon Landing newspaper that Neil Armstrong's mother and father gave to, historian and family friend, Rick Boos after the their sons famous flight.

Neil Armstrong's Telegram

This is a telegram sent to Neil Armstrong from the governor of Ohio (Neil's home state) congratulating him on his flight... here is the text...

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

This is a sheet of paper that Buzz Aldrin had used to "warm up" before signing autographs. This sheet is from the year 1969 when Buzz was still legally, "Edwin E. Aldrin Jr." (Edwin Aldrin signatures are relatively rare and Buzz refuses to sign today using the name Edwin)

This map was there... then.

This map is from the collection of Gene Kranz who kept this map at his console during the mission of Apollo 11. This map illustrates the orbit path of the spacecraft before leaving for the historic first landing on the Moon.

Apollo 11 Translunar Transearth Trajectory Plotting Chart

This plotting chart illustrates all the various flight stages for the first lunar landing mission.

Buzz Aldrin plotting chart

Buzz Aldrin made quite a few comments about this chart when signing.

A page from the Flight Plan used during the Apollo 11 mission

Imagine this... The Apollo 11 crew had awoken from their last sleep period on the way to the Moon. They then performed a Lunar Orbit Insertion and went into orbit around the Moon, they then separated the two spacecrafts, Neil and Buzz went on down and landed on the surface, then they skipped their rest period and stepped out onto the surface, set up all the experiments, saluted the flag, spoke to the President, climbed back into the Lunar Module, tried to rest but due to the excitement, the cold temperature and the noise of the LM, and their concerns over getting back home they didn't get any. Then they did the first Lunar liftoff, docked with Columbia in lunar orbit, transfered their cargo over, then seperated the two craft, and finally they ignited the engine of the Command Module to begin the long trip home. After all that... they turned the page of their lunar flight plan and this is the page they saw... REST PERIOD... I bet it was their favorite page in the book. They had accomplished all their mission's objectives and had survived. It was time to rest.

Apollo 11 beta cloth crew patch

This crew patch is signed by the Apollo 11 crew... Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. I've been told that the style of autographs on this piece place its origin to 1969, the year of the historic launch that first put man on the Moon.

Apollo 11 Moon rocks

Some of the precious cargo brought back to Earth by the crew of Apollo 11. These are breccia.

Neil on the Moon

by Ed Hengeveld


(as it appeared in process)

One, of only ten, in existence

There were 450 of these Robbins Medallions made and all but ten flew to the Moon on Apollo 11.This image of the Eagle, landing with an olive branch in it's beak rather than in it's claws, was thought to appear too aggressive... that the Eagle appeared to be perhaps grabbing the Moon for the US. So the the image was changed and the Eagle carried the olive branch to the Moon in it's claws on all other renditions including the crew patch.

Apollo 11 tie clasp

"I worked for Parker Hannifin in So. Cal and the company mfg'd
cryogenic valves for the lander ship. One of the valves (6 per
ship) were integrated into the yaw system. Parker had 4 other
cryogenic valves engineered into the booster also. A group of
us were in a standing room only conference room while we listened
to an 8 minute "thanks for all your support" speech by Neil
Armstrong and afterwards we were given these clasps by him."

Unique

This large medallion was purchased from a street vendor in Vietnam. It is well used, and unique, with rays emitting from the Eagle. I imagine there are a few stories behind this piece.

Study hard... and maybe one day you'll go to the Moon.

Buzz Aldrin's report cards... a great insight into his background.

Practice moon rock samples

A rock and some soil used by Neil and Buzz during their training.


An Apollo 11 practice sample bag.

Salt shaker rocket

I had the great privilege of having had breakfast with Buzz Aldrin. Buzz is a brilliant man who shared many ideas about potential future lunar transportation options, outer space energy production, and the proper steps we should be taking towards lunar colonization. I most enjoyed his description of what the rocket should be like that will take us back to the Moon. He used a salt shaker as a visual prop and that salt shaker flew all around our breakfast table that morning. This salt shaker is remarkably similar to that one. ;)

Apollo 12

Leaving Earth

This is a gorgeous view of Earth. Even Alan Bean exclaimed "Wow!" when this 16by20 was unrolled in front of him. In his own words Al wrote "Our first view of Earth... What a beautiful planet to live our lives... There goes our SLA panel! Alan Bean, Apollo 12
Alan Bean chose to write all of this in a matching curve following the horizon of the Earth.

A unique patch

Notice the missing wake from the back of the ship in this Lions Brothers patch.

Flown USA flag

Apollo 12... everybody's favorite crew.
Three great guys having the time of their lives.
Charles Conrad, Alan Bean, and Dick Gordon took this flag with them... to the Moon.

A Star that went to the Moon

A Star that went to the Moon! How cool is that?
This was presented to Lloyd Rackley by the Apollo 12 crew upon their release from quarantine. I've only seen two others like this, one was for Buzz Aldrin, the other was Dick Gordon's.

Translunar Transearth Trajectory Plotting Chart

This is a chart made for the Apollo 12 mission. It shows in great detail the various stages and positions of the Earth, Moon, Sun and the spacecrafts, throughout the flight.

Struck by lightning

Richard Gordon, the command module pilot of Apollo 12, writes the story of how that mission began by being struck by lightning shortly after liftoff.

A great leader and friend

"November 20, 1969 Pete Conrad and I lowered into a lunar orbit about 15 miles below Dick Gordon in the CSM. As we were tracking Dick, Pete asked me if I wanted to fly the LM. I said yes, but Mission Control on Earth might not like it. Pete said "Don't worry we're on the backside of the Moon and they will never know. This was a great example of what a great leader and friend Pete Conrad was." Alan Bean, Apollo 12 LMP

Apollo 12 Command Module

This is from Dick Gordon's personal collection. It is a prototype model of the controller that Gordon used to pilot mankind's second lunar landing voyage to the Moon. The quality of the craftsmanship that went into this piece is just incredible. The picture below shows Gordon and the actual controller he used during the flight of Apollo 12.

Pete and Al

This small print is my favorite Al Bean painting.

Alan Bean at work

A custom made model of Alan Bean attempting to repair a TV camera with his rock hammer.

Apollo 13

Flown Patch

"This patch was on board the Apollo 13 spacecraft on it's flight around the Moon. 11-17 April 1971 James Lovell CDR"

A striking patch even without the realization of where it has been. Although not that rare of an item, it tends to draw one's attention, and hold it, longer than most. For those who remember the Apollo 13 mission, it was a week we will never forget. The popular movie of a few years back has helped place this mission on an equal public awareness level to that of Apollo 11.

Apollo 13 Interval Timer Knob

This knob came off the Interval Timer taken on the perilous journey of Apollo 13. I've always been fascinated with anything floating in lucite and this piece is particularly special, not just for the mission it came from, but that this is an actual piece of hardware... a one of kind artifact.

Flown on Apollo 13

A series of coins were made by the Franklin mint in which items flown on the Apollo 13 mission were added to the melted mix. The series featured the various stages involved in a lunar mission. This particular coin is considered the choice coin of the series as a lunar landing was the objective, but not the achievement, of the Apollo 13 mission.


"And the whole world prayed"

Apollo 14

The moonwalkers and their backup crew

Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell, along with Gene Cernan and Joe Engle, pause for a moment after performing a "simulated lunar excursion" in the desert. A bunch of cool guys having a cold one after a hard day at work. And, what a job they had!

Antares in the bright lunar sunlight

A guided tour of Fra Mauro Base, by Edgar Mitchell.

The First Nickel to go to the Moon

This 5 cent coin, dated 1912, was carried to the Moon's surface by Alan Shepard on the flight of Apollo 14, and presented to Tony Broadway.

Fra Mauro

Topo relief map of the landing site where "Antares" landed, and where Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell explored this rugged lunar landscape. Notice the paths taken by the astronauts and how close they came to the crest of Cone Crater before turning around. This map has been signed by the crew of Apollo 14.
This map depicts a portion of the precise lunar topographic model prepared for NASA. This model was an integral part of the Lunar Module Simulator. The simulator provided crew training and orientation for Apollo Astronauts for scheduled lunar landings and was installed at the JFK Space Center at Cape Kennedy. The completed model contained over 500,000 craters, measured 14 feet by 22 feet, and weighed approximately 600 pounds.

Apollo 14 pre-launch ceremony artifact

It had long been a tradition within the US space program to exchange gag gifts before launch. It was a time to honor each other and create a bit of levity in the midst of serious preparations. This is, in my humble opinion, the greatest of those exchanges.
Here pad leader Guenter Wendt is holding a cane in one hand that he had given to Alan Shepard. Attached to the cane is a sign indicating the cane as "lunar explorer support equipment" thus poking fun of Shepard for being the oldest man to go to the moon (48 years old). Shepard was the only one of the Original 7 astronauts to go to the Moon.
Shepard on the night before his launch, upon learning of the presentation that he would receive, sent an aid down to Miami to get a German helmet from the TV set of "Hogan's Heroes" and had the words "Colonel Guenter Klink" put on it. Guenter's title was "Pad Leader" at the Cape, but due to his German accent, and diligent control of his area of responsibility, he gained the unofficial title of "Pad Fuhrer."

Guenter Wendt's Helmet

The Bible that went to the Moon... twice.