Apollo 11 Flown Command/Service Module Trans-Lunar Coast Star Chart Originally from the Personal Collection of Mission Lun...

Description

Ex. Buzz Aldrin

Apollo 11 Flown Command/Service Module Trans-Lunar Coast Star Chart Originally from the Personal Collection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, with Signed Certificate of Authenticity. This 16" x 8" black star chart, printed on heavyweight film with white markings, is titled "CSM TLC STAR CHART (B)/ LAUNCH JULY 21," and was specifically designed for use in the Command Module Columbia during the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. The chart displays the Sun and planets as colored dots, standing out vividly against the star field, facilitating easy identification by the astronauts. Several constellations are outlined, and numerous stars are labeled by name and number. Notably, the chart includes stars named by Gus Grissom in honor of his Apollo 1 crew: Navi (Ivan Grissom), Regor (Roger Chaffee), and Dnoces (Ed White II). This significant artifact, used during humanity's first lunar landing, has been in Bracke's collection since 2009 but is undoubtedly worthy of museum exhibition. While there are minor imperfections, such as emulsion chipping at the edges and a few creases on the left side, these do not detract from its historical importance. Overall, it remains in fine condition. Additional information about the use of star charts can be found on our website.

Included with this lot is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that reads in full: "To Whom It May Concern: I, Edwin E. 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr., do hereby certify that the 'Apollo 11 Trans Lunar Coast Chart' illustrated in Superior Galleries' January 11, 1993 Space Sale, Lot #239, was flown on Apollo 11. [signed] Buzz Aldrin, 3-31-93." Additionally, the back of the chart is signed: "Buzz Aldrin."

In the 1960s, space navigation relied on a combination of advanced technology and traditional celestial navigation techniques. While the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) handled most of the spacecraft's navigation, star charts served as a crucial manual backup and verification system. This approach, though seemingly simple, was both profound and essential: by aligning the spacecraft's onboard sextant with known stars, astronauts could accurately determine their position and trajectory, especially during mission phases between major gravitational influences, such as the trans-lunar coast phase.

The TRANS-LUNAR star chart was specifically crafted for this portion of the mission, when Apollo 11 traveled between Earth and the Moon. This chart acted as a celestial roadmap, allowing the astronauts to navigate by aligning the spacecraft's inertial guidance system with prominent celestial bodies. The use of star charts during Apollo 11, particularly the TRANS-LUNAR version, represents a fascinating intersection of human ingenuity and classical celestial navigation. These charts were vital tools that enabled astronauts to verify their position during the approximately 240,000-mile journey from Earth to the Moon. This particular chart comes from the Family Collection of Jacques Bracke, further enhancing its provenance and historical significance. From the Family Collection of Jacques Bracke.

More Information:
Understanding the TRANS-LUNAR Star Chart
Design and Layout: The TRANS-LUNAR star charts were meticulously created with a focus on the stars visible from the spacecraft's trajectory during the translunar injection (TLI) and the subsequent coasting phase. These charts depicted constellations and key stars that could be easily spotted through the Command Module's sextant. The design was flat but accounted for the spherical nature of space, offering a two-dimensional guide to assist the astronauts in locating recognizable celestial objects for navigational fixes.

Celestial Landmarks: Apollo astronauts needed stars that were easily identifiable and well-positioned for measurement. These stars served as reference points, allowing the astronauts to align their sextant for accurate readings. The TRANS-LUNAR chart included a number of "navigation stars" pre-selected for their brightness and stability, such as:

Sirius (the brightest star in the night sky)
Vega (a key point in the summer triangle)
Altair (another prominent star in the triangle)
Canopus (used to cross-reference multiple star sightings)
The chart also featured grid lines for orientation, helping astronauts to measure star positions relative to their spacecraft's orientation.

Practical Use in Space: As part of the verification process, the astronauts performed regular celestial fixes using the onboard sextant. The AGC would predict where specific stars should appear based on the spacecraft's expected position, and the astronauts would manually check that against the actual star sightings. By doing this, they could confirm their trajectory or correct any drift. During Apollo 11's TRANS-LUNAR coast, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins regularly utilized these star charts to verify their course. This was especially important in the event of potential navigational discrepancies, where relying on human sight through the sextant could provide a fallback.

Collectibility and Historical Value of Apollo 11 TRANS-LUNAR Star Charts
For collectors of space memorabilia, Apollo 11 star charts, particularly those used during the TRANS-LUNAR phase, represent a tangible connection to the most iconic journey in human history. The rarity of these charts, especially if marked with mission-specific annotations or usage wear, makes them highly sought after.
Provenance: Authentic Apollo 11 star charts, especially those used by the crew or accompanying documentation confirming their use, are among the most prized items in space memorabilia. Charts with notations made by the astronauts or flight controllers during the mission would command premium prices.
Historical Significance: Apollo 11's star charts are not just navigational aids—they are artifacts representing mankind's first voyage to another celestial body. Their use was critical in ensuring the safe journey of the spacecraft and crew, and as such, they hold enormous historical weight.
Rarity: Original star charts from Apollo missions, particularly Apollo 11, are exceedingly rare. While NASA produced multiple copies for backup and training purposes, those that actually flew with the mission or were directly used in operations are considered priceless.

Conclusion
The Apollo 11 TRANS-LUNAR star charts symbolize a moment when ancient techniques of celestial navigation combined with modern technology to guide humanity's first steps beyond Earth. Collectors who seek out these artifacts are not just acquiring a piece of paper—they are obtaining a piece of the journey that forever changed our understanding of human potential. These charts remain iconic pieces of space history, representing the precise navigation required to undertake one of the most daring missions in history.