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Buzz Aldrin's Surface-Flown Apollo 11 Lunar Module Descent Chart

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:75,000.00 - 85,000.00 USD
Buzz Aldrin's Surface-Flown Apollo 11 Lunar Module Descent Chart

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Auction Date:2018 Oct 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
Amazing flown segment of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module descent navigational chart carried to the surface of the moon on man's first lunar landing, 8.5 x 6.5, signed and flight-certified in blue felt tip, "Carried in 'Eagle' to the lunar surface on Apollo XI, Buzz Aldrin." The map covers longitudes 52°E–48°E at about -3 minutes to PDI (Powered Descent Initiation), and depicts the lunar craters "Taruntius G," "Taruntius H," "Taruntius K," and "Taruntius P." A smaller crater bears a handwritten arrow with annotation, "G1." In fine condition, with original tape along one edge.

Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Buzz Aldrin, in full: "This LM descent navigational chart was flown to the Moon's surface in Lunar Module Eagle during the flight of Apollo 11. It was used to verify our descent track while Neil Armstrong and I prepared for the Power Descent Initiation (PDI) engine burn on July 20, 1969. The time period covered on this chart starts from about 3.5 minutes down to just about 2.5 minutes before the PDI burn. During that part of the flight, Mission Control has been trying to radio Neil and myself that we were 'GO' for PDI, but we could not hear them. With assistance from Michael Collins in Columbia, we finally heard the radio call.

If the PDI burn did not occur as planned, Neil and I could wait one more orbit, but once the burn started, there was only just enough fuel to make one attempt at the lunar landing. We were flying over the Taruntius series of craters as shown on this chart and were exactly on center along the dark descent path line. This chart provided critical verification that Eagle was on course before the PDI burn was to occur. The chart was one of a series taped together which provided a continuous map of our flight path and, like Neil and myself, logged over 22 hours on the lunar surface. It was exposed to the vacuum of the lunar surface while inside the LM during our lunar surface EVA. I have written 'Carried in Eagle to the lunar surface on Apollo XI' and signed the chart next to the nautical mile scale. This chart has been in my private collection since our return from the Moon in July 1969." Also accompanied by a photo of the Apollo 11 Command Module over this lunar region, as well as a photo of the consignor meeting Buzz Aldrin in 2006; at that time, Aldrin said he did not remember the significance of the "G1" annotation on the chart.

Based on physical evidence (tape on only one edge) and comparison to a prototype of the LM descent chart, we believe this to be the easternmost segment of the chart carried on Apollo 11. The complete chart likely consisted of eight or nine panels taped together, making any single panel exceedingly rare. As the Apollo 11 Lunar Module 'Eagle' began its landing approach, Armstrong mentioned this lunar region in his radio exchange with Mission Control: 'Apollo 11 is getting its first view of the landing approach. This time we are going over the Taruntius crater, and the pictures and maps brought back by Apollo 8 and 10 have given us a very good preview of what to look at here. It looks very much like the pictures, but like the difference between watching a real football game and watching it on TV. There's no substitute for actually being here.' Used during this critical period of the approach for the first lunar landing, this extraordinary lunar map stands as an artifact of the utmost significance.