Apollo Artifacts

Jim McDivitt's Apollo 14 LRL badge

Jim McDivitt, who was Commander of Apollo 9, became Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program in August 1969. He was the program manager for Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 missions.

This is his badge for gaining access to the Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston, TX for the Apollo 14 mission.

The LRL was where astronauts were quarantined and material returned from the moon was brought. After the Apollo 14 mission, it was determined that exposure to lunar dust was not hazardous to life on earth, so the astronaut quarantine procedures were discontinued, although lunar samples were still processed in the LRL for the remainder of the Apollo program.

Apollo 11 flown flight plan page

This is page 3-108a from the Apollo 11 flight plan. The sheet is from the detailed timeline section located at the beginning of hour 150 in the mission. The flight plan was the most significant documentation used by the astronauts on Apollo 11.

The page has a grid of terms and values associated with mid-course correction engine burn number 5, including pitch and yaw rates, attitude deviation, engine shutdown time, and residuals.

The MCC5 was an eleven second burn using Columbia’s Reaction Control System thrusters which were fired at 150 hours, 29 minutes into the mission. The retrograde maneuver changed Columbia’s velocity by approximately 4.8 feet per second in order to fine-tune the flight path angle into the entry corridor of the earth’s atmosphere.

The burn was small in relation to Columbia’s velocity of 4,075 feet per second at that time, but was critical to align to the center of the corridor. Too shallow and the spacecraft would skip off, too steep and it would burn up.

I particularly like this page because this MCC5 burn is described on page 424 in Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot Michael Collins’ book Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journey.

Apollo 13 Lunar Module Malfunction Procedures checklist used in training

An original 8½"x 11" Apollo 13 Lunar Module Malfunction Procedures checklist dated April 1, 1970 (10 days before the launch of Apollo 13).

The checklist contains 14 sections with about 40 total page sides of LM malfunction procedures from the AOH. Sections include G&C Displays, AGS, RCS, Comm, Heaters, Camera, and more.

This particular copy was kept in the crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center for Apollo 13 Commander James Lovell and LM pilot Fred Haise reference during the critical final days leading up to launch on April 11, 1970.

An identical copy flew to the moon on Apollo 13 and would have travelled to the lunar surface had the mission not encountered its famous problems.

Apollo 16 LM Rendezvous Charts used in simulator training

An original 8½"x 10½" Apollo 16 LM Rendezvous Charts book dated in pencil March 21, 1971.

It contains 20 pages of fascinating Lunar Module Ascent tables. Sections include Nominal Ascent sections, Direct Ascent sections and First and Second Midcourse corrections sections.

A copy just like it would have flown to the moon on Apollo 16.

This set of charts was the simulator copy and used in training by Apollo 16 astronauts John Young and Charlie Duke in the Lunar Module Simulator. Notes made by Young and Duke in pencil are visible on several pages. Used extensively at the time, but still good shape.

Neil Armstrong tribute to Apollo 12

Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11 Commander) delivers a tribute at the Apollo 12 40th anniversary gala on November 7, 2009 at Kennedy Space Center.

I was sitting next to Apollo 12 LMP Alan Bean for the dinner so I had an ideal view.

Video is 7 minutes. I suggest letting it load before watching. Direct link to video here.

James Lovell and Fred Haise discuss what really happened on Apollo 13

Apollo 13 Commander James A. Lovell, Jr. and Lunar Module Pilot Fred W. Haise, Jr. discuss their mission at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation event on November 6, 2009 at Kennedy Space Center. I was lucky to be sitting front row center.

The video is about 24 minutes and is edited from a 45-minute discussion. It is best to let the video partially load before watching. Video is better quality on Vimeo direct link here.

Some timeouts.

:00 – 11:00 What really happened on Apollo 13. Commander Lovell provides a very detailed discussion of the chain of events leading to the explosion.

11:00 – 16:00 Fred Haise describes where he was and whart he was doing during the explosion.

16:00 – 20:00 Haise discusses several inaccuracies in the movie Apollo 13.

20:00 – 21:30 Lovell describes his reaction when the crew learned that they were not going to be able to walk on the moon.

21:30 – 23:10 The crew discusses the use of a free return trajectory (vs. powered return).

23:10 – 24:00 Why the explosion happened at the perfect time.

Russian Orlan-DM EVA Spacesuit Gloves

This pair of matching gloves with an outer surface of insulated nylon canvas and an inner pressure glove has been signed by Cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov.

The palm and fingertips are covered with pebbled green rubber. On the right glove is a printed chart with various pressure levels and the coordinating minutes allowed. Both are signed on the Velcro-close flap over the knuckles. There is a serial or part number on each: "ГП-10K-0920085". Very fine condition.

Cosmonaut Serebrov has flown on four space missions: Soyuz T-7, Soyuz T-8, Soyuz TM-8, and Soyuz TM-17.

While the vast majority of my space collection is from the U.S. Apollo program, these Russian gloves are a fascinating artifact for display. The craftsmanship is amazing and people love to put them on and imagine the difficulty of working in space.

Click images to enlarge

Flown Apollo 17 lunar surface checklist page

This is page 7-8 of the Apollo 17 lunar surface checklist, used on the lunar surface during the last lunar landing mission. The other side of this is page 7-7.

I find this particular checklist page fascinating because it details the last sleep period that humans enjoyed on the lunar surface. Scheduled to begin at 174:39 hours into the mission, the crew status report notations (made on the surface inside Lunar Module America) indicate that Commander Gene Cernan slept 5 hours and Lunar Module Pilot Jack Schmidt slept 6 hours.

Click the image and note the smudges of lunar dust on the checklist page.

In this photo of the Apollo 17 crew taken prior to the mission, you can see the many cue cards and checklists that will be taken aboard the spacecraft. Interesting, the lunar surface checklist (with black writing on the edge) is opened to this very page.

Flown Apollo 9 Command Module flown cue card

This oddly shaped cue card fit snugly into a particular spot on the command module control panel. The cue card provides quick instructions for problems faced by the crew.

I really like this cue card because some of the issues it deals with – such as Oxygen, CO2, Glycol, and Cyro – uses instrument readouts found on Apollo Command Module Main Control Panel 2F, and an unflown example is in this collection. The CM Panel 2F controls the Cryogenics and Environmental System controls and is positioned in front of the CM pilot and LM pilot.

In the photo below, taken prior to launch, you can see the Apollo 9 crew with their checklists and cue cards as they prepare for the mission.

Apollo 15 CSM Updates checklist used in training

This 6"x 8" Apollo 15 CSM Updates training manual dated March 29, 1971 was used in the Mission Simulator and then used for study in the astronaut crew quarters just prior to mission launch.

The checklist consists of six tabbed sections including P30 Maneuver, P37 Block Data, Earth Orbit Block Data, P27 Update, P24 Landmark Tracking and Flight Plan Update.

I particularly enjoy the annotations (most likely made by CMP Al Worden) that have been made in various parts of the manual.

Apollo 13 Lunar Module TD+2 Star Chart used in training

This 8-3/4" diameter star chart consists of a black star disc below and a semitransparent rotating disc. The rings on the outer disc signify what stars would be seen through the LM Optical Telescope at certain times during the stay on the moon.

Star charts like this were used on every lunar landing mission to orient the LM just prior to liftoff. The star chart is dated for a launch date of 11 April 1970 (Apollo 13), and was to be used in case the Lunar Module had to leave the moon's surface within 2 hours after landing (TD+2 means Touchdown + 2 Hours).

Each Lunar Module carried two similar star charts – this one for an immediate liftoff, and another for liftoff after the stars had precessed across the sky during their stay on the moon. This star chart was used in the Lunar Module Simulator during the training for Apollo 13.

My friend Larry McGlynn has written an excellent two-part overview of the star charts of Apollo. Links here: Part one and part two.

Apollo 13 CSM Launch Checklist used in training

This checklist containing more than 100 pages on 8 by 6 inch card stock was the personal training copy of Apollo 13 lunar module pilot Fred Haise.

This manual lists the events that occurred during the Saturn V launch and has specific steps to be carried out by the flight crew. Sections cover boost preps, launch trajectory, launch aborts, boost, orbit insertion and orbital check-outs, TLI preps, and booster (S-IV-B) separation. An emergency section printed on pink paper covers the MODE I to IV aborts. The last sections cover Earth re-entry procedures in the event that that the flight remained in Earth orbit and did not travel to the moon.

For space geeks like me, this checklist makes fascinating reading.

Hornet Plus Three: The Story of the Apollo 11 Recovery

Since today is the 40th anniversary of the splashdown and recovery of Apollo 11 in the Pacific Ocean, I am thrilled to have a guest post by Bob Fish, author of the book Hornet Plus Three: The Story of the Apollo 11 Recovery. I enjoyed this book very much.

Bob is a Trustee and the Apollo curator for the USS Hornet Museum, which is located in Alameda, CA. The Hornet recovered both 11 and Apollo 12 in 1969. The USS Hornet Museum includes a number of very unique artifacts - Apollo 14 Mobile Quarantine Facility, flown Apollo command module (Block-1 unmanned), Biological Isolation Garment, SH3D Seaking helicopter.

The public is generally aware of President Richard Nixon's activities during the Apollo 11 recovery process only during the widely-televised "welcome home" ceremony for the three astronauts. The reality is different...

Here's Bob’s account of what happened:

On July 23, the President and his party (which included Secretary of State William Rogers, National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger, Apollo 8 astronaut Colonel Frank Borman, White House Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman, White House Press Secretary Ron Ziegler, and two others) flew from Honolulu to Johnston Island aboard Air Force One. There, the entourage transferred to two HMX-1 squadron helicopters and were ferried a couple hundred miles south to the USS Arlington, a Navy major communications relay ship. The presidential helicopters landed on the ship's antenna deck at 5:30pm (ship time) and shortly thereafter, President Nixon spoke to an assemblage of crewmen. He later toured the ship, chatted with many sailors, and had a light dinner before turning in for the night. Photo: President Nixon's arrival onboard the USS Arlington as he walks with CO Captain Hugh Murphree.

The group arose early the next morning and flew over to the USS Hornet by HMX-1 helicopter, arriving less than an hour before Columbia splashed down. He watched the recovery operation from the ship's island (superstructure) before descending into hangar bay 2 for the welcome home remarks. Just minutes after that televised ceremony, watched by 500 million people, President Nixon and his group departed the ship and flew back to Johnston Island. They boarded Air Force One and began the next leg of their worldwide tour. All in all, Nixon had been in the recovery area for about 18 hours with just the three most historically-eventful ones on the USS Hornet.

President Nixon was in very high spirits the entire time. During his stay on the Arlington, he spent the night in the Commanding Officer's stateroom. After the group had left the morning of the splashdown, Captain Hugh Murphree walked into his cabin and found a handwritten note from the president, scrawled across the "plan of the day". Click image to enlarge.

On the Hornet, the President was clapping people on the back, swapping jokes with the sailors, etc. It was not just about "politics" though he was keenly aware this amazing technological and scientific achievement placed the US in a position over the Soviets for world leadership. As a former naval officer, he really enjoyed being on Navy ships again. And, he was in the middle of the Pacific, away from most of the press, all the protestors, the spin-doctors of DC etc.

Thanks Bob for sharing the story and images on such an important anniversary.

Apollo Command Module Main Control Panel 2F

This CM Panel 2F controls the Cryogenics and Environmental System controls and is positioned in front of the CM pilot and LM pilot.

The panel contains cryogenic tank indicators, cabin fan switches, H2 and O2 heaters, O2 pressure, H2 and O2 fans, cabin temperature, and much more.

This panel is block I, but shares many similarities with the Block II version.

I particularly like this because it is known to many people due to Apollo 13. The "stir the tank" switch and "are we dead yet due to CO2" readout are on this panel. Even people who are not space collectors get excited about this because it is familiar from the Apollo 13 movie, so it is be fun to show to people and point out the bits from the film.

This panel is in great condition. It is clearly flight quality as all the switches and displays are definitely the real thing.

The size is approximately 18" x 16" x 20 pounds. The item is encased in oak with a handle and acrylic backing so it will stand up for display and I can carry it.

Apollo 17 Command Module Flown CSM Malfunction Procedures Book

From the Personal Collection Mission Commander Gene Cernan this 8.5" x 10.5" book of approximately 140 pages separated by tabs bound in stiff covers with three binder rings.

The tabs include (in order) G&C, SCS, G&N, SPS, RCS, CRYO, FUEL CELL, PW, T/C, ECS, EMS, DOCK & HATCH, EVA, CAMERA, and REAL TIME CHECKLIST.

The Part Number is "SKB32100123-341" and the Serial Number is "1001". This is essentially a troubleshooting guide for anything that might have gone wrong with the command module and thus was a critical and important reference on board the flight.

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In this photo of the Apollo 17 crew taken prior to the mission, you can see the many cue cards and checklists that will be taken aboard the spacecraft.

Apollo 13 flown launch abort cue card

This cue card was from the personal collection of Fred W. Haise, Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot.

The information that Haise supplied about the card reads:
"This cue card was carried around the moon on the flight of Apollo 13 during April 11 to 17, 1971. This card was positioned on the instrument panel with Velcro during the launch to be used in the event of a Mode III abort. This abort mode became available in the period of launch just before achieving the Abort-to-Orbit capability. On the cards are blanks to be filled in for a manually executed SPS retrograde maneuver such as Time Of Ignition (TIG), Burn Time (BT), Pitch attitude, Ground Elapsed Time (GET) to reach 300k feet altitude, Pitch attitude reaching .05G, and the time for Drogue parachute deployment. The burn was to change velocity by 6999.9 feet per second to assure an Atlantic splashdown short of the African continent. We did not have to use this card but did have to deal with a much more complicated abort case on Apollo 13."

Lunar Module cockpit panel 8

LM Panel 8 - located on the commander's left - had switches responsible for activating so many important functions including deploying the landing gear, separating the Ascent and Descent stages, enabling the descent to and ascent from the Moon and contact between the astronauts & command module and earth. The TV jack was also located on panel 8.

This particular panel appears to be of an early design, indicating it was possibly a training panel.

The panel overlays appears to be silk-screened sheet metal. The flight panels had mostly electroluminescent panels. Much of the wiring looks like flight type wires were used, although there would be potting at the contacts for a flight, or serious test, panel.

Thank you to John Fongheiser,
President,
Historic Space Systems for help in identifying this artifact.

Apollo Operations Handbook / Lunar Module for LM-5 (Apollo 11)

This is basically the owners' manual for Lunar Module Eagle.

This original and complete Apollo Operations Handbook / Lunar Module for LM-5 Apollo 11 is 1,000 pages or more and weighs 7 pounds.

It is in great condition and seemingly never used. The three-ring binder seems original and includes a LM-5 sticker. The date stamp on the first page is really cool (June 27, 1969 - less than a month before launch). The manual contains many dozens of fold out schematics and other documentation.

Apollo Spacecraft News Reference for Lunar Module and Command Module

These Apollo News Reference Manuals were used by journalists who covered the Apollo program. It took me four years to acquire a pair as these manuals have become highly sought after. The pair include almost 500 pages of in depth detail about the Apollo spacecraft in the words of the contractors who built them.

Chapters include: Crew Systems, Displays and Controls, Docking, Earth Landing, Electrical Power, Environmental Control, Launch Escape, Reaction Control, Service Propulsion, Stabilization & Control, Telecommunications, Guidance & Navigation, Space Suit, Automatic Checkout Equipment, Kennedy Space Center Operations, Training Equipment, Test & Reliability, Manufacturing, Launch Vehicles, Mission Description, Crew Personal Equipment, Propulsion, Electrical Power, Lighting, PLSS, LM Anatomy, Biographies and more.

Grumman Lunar Module contractors model

Model BEFORE (see below for after)

I purchased a beat up Grumman LM contractors model on eBay. Fortunately, the Andy Lagomarsino agreed to work on the model and ring it up to pristine condition. He is does amazing work.

More on what Andy does here.

When I sent him the model, Andy noted that it needed:

A good cleaning

The base needed to be polished up

Ascent stage is missing one of the two vhf wire coil antennas.

Missing about half of the 16 RCS jets.

Missing both the S-band and rendevous radar dishes.

The flag decal on the descent stage was badly deteriorated.

All of the color on the navigation lights appears faded and will needed to be retouched.

Numerous areas on the black shaded portions of the descent stage needed to be recolored

The legs were bent

(Shall I go on?)

Now it looks terrific. (Thanks Andy.)

Apollo CSM Cryogenic ground umbilical coupler

This coupler was used for supplying liquid Oxygen to the Apollo Fuel Cell storage tanks. Subcontracted by North American Aviation (builder of the CSM) to Fairchild Hiller Corporation under NASA Contract NAS9-150 (CSM).

Cryogenic Hydrogen and Oxygen comprised the constituent reactants used by the onboard Fuel cells to provide power, drinking water and heating. The Oxygen tanks also supplied metabolic breathing oxygen to the crew.

Apollo Service Module RCS Helium Pressurization Solenoid Valve

Helium is supplied to the Reaction Control System propellant with the helium pressure used drive the propellant out of the bladders at the proper feed rate to the R-4D reaction control engines in the quads.

The helium isolation valves between the helium tank and pressure regulators contain two solenoids: one solenoid is energized momentarily to unlatch the valve, and spring pressure and helium pressure forces the valve closed. The helium isolation valves in each quad are individually controlled by their own individual SM RCS Helium switch on Command Module panel MDC-2.

The momentary OPEN position energizes the valve into the magnetic latch (open). The momentary CLOSE position energizes the valve to unlatch the magnetic latch (closed). The center position removes electrical power from either solenoid. The valves are normally open in respect to system pressure substantiating the magnetic latching feature for power conservation purposes during the mission in addition to prevent overheating of the valve coil.

Thanks to Scott Schneeweis for the technical description of this interesting artifact.

Accessory Products Company
Solenoid Valve, Helium
part # 512000-0014
serial # 100200000059
control # ME 284-0336-0014
contract # NAS 9-150

Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 lunar surface flown APK

This beta cloth Astronaut Preference Kit belonged to Apollo 17 Commander Gene Cernan "the last man on the moon" and was flown to the lunar surface. The APK was carried to lunar orbit in December 1972 aboard the Command Module America and was then transferred to the Lunar Module Challenger for the descent to the moon.

This bag remained on the moon inside the LM for more than three days, the longest stay of any lunar mission. After docking with the command module in lunar orbit after lunar surface operations, the APK was transferred back into America for the return trip to Earth. In total, this APK spent more than twelve and a half days in space, and a record of more than six days in lunar orbit or on the surface. It traveled a remarkable 1.3 million miles during the mission.

The Apollo 17 lunar landing site was the Taurus-Littrow highlands and valley area. This site was picked as a location where rocks both older and younger than those previously returned from other Apollo missions. Apollo 17 was the final in a series of three J-type missions planned for the Apollo program. These J-type missions can be distinguished from previous G and H-series missions by extended hardware capability, larger scientific payload capacity and by the use of the battery powered Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).

APKs were permitted by NASA to contain items for the astronauts' personal use, or for use by them as personal gifts. APKs carried on board the Lunar Module were limited to just one half pound per astronaut.

The APK, marked "SEC 12100087-301 S/N 1007 ASTRONAUT KIT," appears in the Apollo Storage List for mission J-3, CM 114, LM-12 dated 12-12-72. The bag is approximately 4" x 8" x 1.5" with a drawstring top and original red wax seal. It has been cut open around the back near the top.

Also included in the collection is the original NASA Astronaut Preference Kit Release Form for this APK. The form (click the photo to see a larger image), signed by Gene Cernan and Tom Stafford, acknowledges receipt of the Astronaut Preference Kit from Command Module 114. Dated December 21, 1972 (two days after the return of Apollo 17), this official form shows all of the steps necessary for the transfer of the APK from NASA to Captain Cernan after the flight. At the time, Tom Stafford was Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations at the NASA Manned Spaceflight Center and was responsible for assisting the director in planning and implementation of programs for the astronaut group.

Apollo 17 was the first mission to be under scrutiny after the discovery of a stash of unauthorized postal covers that were flown on Apollo 15 and subsequently sold. Apollo 16 had already flown by the time of the Apollo 15 discovery. The Astronaut Preference Kit Policy permitted Apollo flight crew to carry certain items of a personal nature on each manned spacecraft flight and the items must have been carried in an approved Astronaut Preference Kit. The articles carried in the APK are for the astronauts' personal use, or for use by them as personal gifts.

When I asked him, Captain Cernan said that he didn't recall why he cut the bag open in the back. However he thought that he wanted to preserve the red wax seal. 

We discussed the contents of the APK and he quickly recalled most of the items that he carried in the bag. He said that in total there were only about a dozen items flown to the lunar surface in his APK.

• American flag that had also flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10
• Gemini 9A patch that had also flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10
• Apollo 10 patch that had also flown on Apollo 10
• Apollo 17 patch
• Silver dollar that had also flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10
• $2.00 bill that had also flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10
• His mother’s rosary that had also flown on Gemini 9A and Apollo 10
• Photographs of his wife and daughter
• Three Apollo 17 gold medallions
• His wedding ring

Apollo Lunar Module support truss

This is a support truss from the lunar module.

It is amazingly light. It must be close to (or even less than) one pound, but I don't have a scale that is that small. Comparing my body weight with and without the truss is negligible.

The truss is 21 inches long and 1 3/8 inches diameter. There is a very bold and clear stamp in red ink on both sides with part # LDW280-18847-19 A3.

Each end fitting is attached with 12 pieces of tiny hardware which are each sealed with a sealer. Curiously, it seems that each of the (24 total) hardware items are each individually stamped with a red inspector stamp (#621) and each of the main truss part number stamps is folowed by another inspector stamp #1459. The truss ends that are into the tubing are also cleanly sealed with some type of composite sealer.

Apollo Lunar Module MESA locking and deployment mechanism

This fascinating artifact is a locking and deployment mechanism for the Modular Equipment Storage Assembly (MESA) located in quad 4 of the Lunar Module decent stage. The MESA lowered like a drawbridge once the astronauts activated this mechanism upon exiting the LM.

In the G-Series mission (Apollo 11) and H-Series missions (Apollos 12, 13, & 14) the MESA was packed with equipment needed to explore and study the lunar surface (cameras, film magazines, geology equipment, sample return containers, and tools).  Later on the J-Series missions (Apollos 15-17) it also carried some parts of the Lunar Roving Vehicle, as well as spare supplies for extended lunar stay time by the LM crew (LiOH cans, PLSS batteries, etc.).

The MESA was deployed via the astronaut pulling the MESA deployment actuating handle "D handle" located on the egress platform "porch" of the lunar module.  As the cable pulled the cam, it disengaged a lock pin from a pivot arm. A "key" prevented the lock pin from interfering with its on disengagement from a locking post on the MESA as it slid into a slot.  Once this was done, lunar gravity took over and deployed the MESA downward into position. Once deployed, the MESA served as a work station for the astronauts.   

I acquired this artifact from someone who was affiliated with Grumman (manufacturer of the Lunar Module).  It is approx 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, made (almost) from one solid piece (titanium?) with an amazing assortment of angles and undercuts, a channel for the sliding part, and "ear" extensions that are almost paper thin.

The markings are a bit difficult to read but appear to be:
LDW 280M17816  ZOA6  MRR106498  LOT 3

Apollo Saturn S-IVB (third stage) liquid hydrogen vent and relief valve

This Apollo Saturn S-IVB (third stage) Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) dual function tank Vent and Relief Valve was manufactured by Wallace O. Leonard Inc. under subcontract to Douglas Corporation (prime for the S-IVB). The valve was produced in 1966.

The LH2 Vent-Relief valve, used as part of the single Rocketdyne J-2 engine system which powered the stage, was situated at the top/forward portion of the S-IVB LH2 tank. It was commanded via the Pneumatic Control System (helium gas driven). The Vent-Relief valve opened during ground fill/drain of the propellants and closed prior to pressurization. Additionally, the valve enabled venting while in flight if either of the tanks experienced overpressurization. The Vent-Relief valve output was applied to a nonpropulsive vent system (expelled gas was routed to two ducts positioned at 180 degrees on either side of the stage resulting in total thrust cancellation).

When in flight, the LH2 Vent-Relief valve also fed the continuous vent system used to provide a thrust force required to position propellants at the aft end of each tank during coast. The system consisted of a vent line originating at the LH2 Vent-Relief valve, terminating at two low thrust nozzles located 180 degrees apart, and facing aft on the forward skirt. Venting was regulated by a pneumatically operated continuous propulsive vent module. The LH2 propulsive vents opened approximately 49 seconds after insertion (into circular Earth parking orbit) as well as during the pre-ignition Translunar Injection (TLI) Boost phase; and provided a sustained, low level thrust to keep the S-IVB propellant seated against the aft bulkheads of their cryogenic storage tanks. Supplemented by the APS (Auxillary Propulsion System) ullage engines, these actions were critical to inhibiting J2 propellant line cavitation upon engine restart.

The valve is 21" tall and 12.5" in diameter at the widest point. It weighs 45 pounds.

Thanks to Scott Schneeweis for the technical description of this artifact.

Rope memory module for the Model 100 Apollo Guidance and Navigation Computer

This is a rare rope memory module made for the Block I (before the Apollo 1 fire) Model 100 Apollo Guidance and Navigation Computer.  The computers that formed the basis of the Apollo Guidance and Navigation System (AGNS) were at the cutting edge of technology in the 1960s. They were the first to use the integrated circuit technology that subsequently gave us desktop computers and so many of the consumer electronic products that fill our lives today.

Each computer had two types of memory, erasable and fixed. The fixed memory contained the programs, constants and landmark coordinates using 36,864 terms or words, each of 15 bits length. That came to a grand total of 74 kilobytes of memory.

The fixed memory was made from coincident-current ferrite cores woven into a rope with copper wires and sealed in plastic. Software components were encoded into a core according to the "pattern" of its weave. Each core functioned as a small transformer, with up to 64 wires connected to each core. If a wire passed through a particular core, a "1" would be read. If a particular wire bypassed the core, a "0" would be read. If you wanted to change the software contained in fixed memory, you had to rewire the sealed core to change the bits. The erasable memory was made from similar materials but with a different design. Each core in the erasable memory could be changed using magnets. Turning clockwise to indicate a "1" or anti-clockwise indicating a "0".

The module is labeled: C P ASSY 1031103 NO.  1003733-011, MFG BY RAYTHEON CO., SERIAL NO. RAY 4

Thanks to Jim Loocke for the technical description of this artifact.

Brass Flashlight Designed for NASA Apollo Missions

This flashlight was made by ACR for NASA. ACR contracted out the flashlights to Fulton Industries in Wauseon Ohio. It is stamped ACR FA- 5 Serial No. 3016 Date of Mfg. 8-72. This flashlight has no known history of being on an Apollo mission. It still works brilliantly.

Launch Mission Rules for Apollo 11

This is rare original NASA manual contains the full mission rules for Apollo 11 (SA-506/CSM-107/LM-5). It is marked FOR NASA/DOD INTERNAL USE ONLY (INCLUDING APPROPRIATE CONTRACTORS). This copy was issued to Grumman (manufacturer of the LEM) and has a Grumman cover.

It is really fun to page through this is a massive 4 lb, 2 inch thick volume. Each page is dated as of update status and almost all are dated either June 2, 1969; June 20, 1969; or June 26, 1969. In addition to the very complete and specific itemized Mission Launch Rules, it details communication, aborts, redlines, crew equip and most systems and operations; extensive CSM 107 and  LM-5 sections; charts & ids of  individual switches, tanks, electrical items, and operation, environmental control, propulsion, crew duties, and activities and operational procedures.

Apollo 9 heat shield plug Lucite display

This is a circular chunk of the heat shield from Apollo 9. Heat shields were manufactured by AVCO Corporation, with integration by NAA (North American Aviation), and are comprised of an extremely lightweight fiberglass honeycomb which is hand filled by air gun with the ablative resin material. The ablative system dissipates heat as the material melts and chars during re-entry, mitigating the 20,000 degree heat experienced by the CSM as it transits through the extreme thermo-dynamic phase of the re-entry corridor.