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
Highly important combination wrench used to fix a leaking pressure fitting prior to the launch of Gemini 3. Wrench is a size 11/16, measures 7.5? long and is stamped “MFD. 6122 Proto U.S.A.” In fine condition.
This simple wrench proved to be a vital piece of equipment only minutes before the launch of Gemini 3, the first manned mission of the program. At T-35 minutes a ‘hold’ was placed on the launch due to an oxidizer leak in the Titan II booster. Richard Tennis, a member of the Martin Company Launch Vehicle Propulsion crew used this wrench to adjust a fizzing pressure fitting. Tennis was able to find the leak, stop it, and run a pressure check all in the span of just three minutes. Failure to have addressed this leak could have resulted in either an abort or potentially explosion of the launch vehicle, killing the crew and possibly others, and setting the program back. Fortunately, with the use of this wrench, the crisis was averted, the countdown was resumed, and the mission was successfully completed.
Accompanied by a 1965 letter of commendation to Tennis from Vice President Hubert Humphrey thanking Tennis for his actions. Letter reads, in part, “I understand that you are the gentleman who corrected the problem of the oxidizer leak on the Gemini-Titan spacecraft. I simply wanted to express to you the thanks of all of us in Washington who have watched so carefully the success of this program. It is the excellent and quick efforts of people like yourself that have made this program so successful.” Also accompanied by seven vintage NASA glossy photos of Tennis demonstrating his repair with the wrench and holding Humphrey’s letter, as well as several news clippings heralding Tennis’s action.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyers Premium:
A buyer's premium of 20% will be added to all winning bids. RR Auction prefers cash, check, or wire payments. For winning bids of $5,000 or less, clients may choose to pay via credit card or PayPal for an additional 2.5% convenience fee. You are obligated to honor any bid(s) you make, and you authorize us to charge your credit card for any unpaid winnings. Your bid is a contract. Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 409 is due by Monday, June 3, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.