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399

Apollo 11 Command Module Rotation Hand Controller Grip

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:150,000.00 - 200,000.00 USD
Apollo 11 Command Module Rotation Hand Controller Grip

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Auction Date:2013 May 23 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Awe-inspiring flown rotation hand controller grip from the Apollo 11 Command Module. Gray contoured ‘joystick-type’ hand controller grip measures 4.5? high with a black trigger-style push-to-talk switch located near the top. Underneath the base handle is marked with its part number “10022865-101,” as well as three government inspection stamps, and a handwritten, “1.” Grip is accompanied by a yellow North American Rockwell "Temporary Parts Removal Tag.” The tag has been filled out in an unknown hand to read: "Rot Control #1 Handle,” Part Number "10022865-101,” Serial/Lot Number "1012,” Authority "TPS 033, REM #594.” Lower portion of the tag is marked "Identity of Next Assembly,” Model Number "V36-3,” Part Number "V36-000002-111,” Serial Number "107,” Mark for Shipment of "PFT 107,” Inspector "9-22-69," and three inspection hand-stamps. A piece of gray tape is across the palm area and reads, “#1,” on one end, and “Apollo 11,” at the other. Grip is removably presented on a walnut desk mount, along with the parts tag and an original Apollo 11 mission patch, to an overall size of 15 x 7 x 5. Provenance: Aurora, 2004.

This gray grip, when originally attached to a gray rectangular box of switches mounted below, was used by the crew to control the spacecraft's rotation in either direction around all three axes. These controls, one mounted alongside each couch, were connected in parallel so that they operated in a redundant fashion without switching. This handle would have been mounted to the right of the center couch, which means it was probably between Aldrin and Collins during the flight of Apollo 11's Command Module and would have been used as a backup to the Commander's control (Neil Armstrong's) by whomever was sitting in that couch for the particular maneuvers being done (Buzz Aldrin or Michael Collins). Item originates from the personal collection of Bill Whipkey, head of the Scheduling Office and Machine Shop at the Johnson Space Center. Of all lunar missions, flown items from Apollo 11 are considered to be the most desirable of all. Given NASA's expressed desire to preserve the Apollo 11 Command Module in its intact state for the benefit of historical preservation, artifacts from Columbia also constitute the rarest material of any of the capsules flown to lunar
orbit.
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