LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 MAR Grand Format Air & Space Sale #6000  / 

58028

Gene Cernan Apollo 17 LM Flown Fisher Space Pen

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Gene Cernan Apollo 17 LM Flown Fisher Space Pen
<B>Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 Lunar Module Flown Fisher AG-7 Space Pen</B></I> used during the flight and actually carried by Cernan in a spacesuit pocket onto the surface of the moon. Exhibits a chrome-like finish, 5.25" long, with a part number of SEB12100051-204, and a serial number of 1129, both engraved near the pocket clip. A small piece of Velcro is attached at the top for allowing it to be easily fastened to the control panel of the space capsule. <BR><BR>Although the story that NASA spent millions developing a pen that would write in the zero gravity of space, the truth is that an inventor and pen maker named Paul Fisher developed it on his own and patented it in 1966 (a copy of the patent drawing is included). NASA tested it for two years and then, every astronaut from Apollo 7 on used this pen in space, as did the cosmonauts of the Soviet space program. The Fisher pen's refill is hermetically sealed and pressurized. The ink is forced out by compressed nitrogen at a pressure of nearly 35 pounds per square inch allowing it to write upside-down, at high altitudes, underwater, and (of course) on the moon. This particular pen was used by Apollo 17 Commander Gene Cernan - the last man to walk on the moon. Cernan used this pen throughout the mission, including aboard the Command Module <I>America</B></I>, the Lunar Module <I>Challenger</B></I>, and on the lunar surface. <I>From the personal collection of Captain Gene Cernan accompanied by written authentication by Cernan.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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