LOT #50390 |
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Apollo 15 Lunar Module Flown Sample Scale, NASA SEB39105200-302, as Presented to Mission Backup Commander Richard Gordon, Dire...
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$50,000.00
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Description
Used on Apollo 15 to weigh lunar samples before liftoff
Apollo 15 Lunar Module Flown Sample Scale, NASA SEB39105200-302, as Presented to Mission Backup Commander Richard Gordon, Directly from His Family Collection. This Geology Tool was only used on the last four of the six moonlandings to assure that the moon rocks gathered did not exceed the permitted weight for lift-off from the lunar surface. The scale assembly, marked serial number 2008, is 13.75" long and is mounted from the top on a 5" x 17" x 0.75" wooden plaque bearing an engraved plate reading:Falcon at Hadley Base, Moon
July 30 - Aug. 2, Apollo Year 3
Presented By The Crew Of Apollo 15 To
Dick Gordon
Included with the lot is a group of pages printed from various NASA documents found online. These verify the fact that this item was stowed both on the earth and lunar launches, which missions these were used on, and inventories of all Geology tools. The first of these Heritage has ever had the privilege to offer. A truly museum-worthy rarity that we expect to generate a lot of excitement. Just imagine owning a scale that spent nearly three days on the moon and weighed lunar rock samples to make sure the liftoff would be successful. Light scratches on the plaque, overall very fine.
Included with this lot is a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Lawrence Gordon, as follows: "This rock and soil sample scale was used on the moon by the Apollo 15 crew and presented to astronaut Richard (Dick) F. Gordon, Jr. as a gift by the crew. Dick Gordon was the backup commander to the mission commander of Apollo 15, Dave Scott. Specialized tools for collecting lunar samples were carried to the Moon in the descent stage of the Lunar Module. The tools are made of stainless steel and aluminum. Two types of scales were used on the moon to weigh containers of rocks and soil. There were strict limits on the weight of materials that could be loaded into the lunar module and returned to Earth. Spring scales were calibrated for the one-sixth Earth gravity on the moon and were used to weigh lunar rock samples. On Apollo 11 and 12, a heavier scale was used, replaced on later missions by this more compact device. This scale was in the personal collection of my father, Dick Gordon until his passing in November of 2017 and is now a space artifact of the Richard Gordon Family Trust collection. I do hereby confirm that this scale was presented directly to my father by the Apollo 15 crew and remained in his collection until his passing. [signed] Lawrence Gordon, Trustee, Richard Gordon Family Trust"
Auction Info
2019 November 14-16 Space Exploration Auction Featuring The Armstrong Family Collection Part IV - Dallas #6219 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2019
14th-16th
Thursday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 10
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,939
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