Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
    LOT #40043  | 
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the Personal Collection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E... (Total: 3 Items)

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    • Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items)
    • Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items)
    • Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items)
    Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items) Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items) Transportation:Space Exploration, Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the PersonalCollection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, E...(Total: 3 Items) View More >
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Claim Item:
    Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    The patches from the first flight test of the Apollo Portable Life Support System.

    Apollo 9 Flown PLSS Patch Set (Three) Directly from the Personal Collection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart, Each Signed and Certified. The three actual patches roughly cut from Schweickart's PLSS, used on his March 6, 1969, EVA, as follows.
    (1) American Flag. A 7" x 4.5" U.S. flag patch sewn onto a slightly larger, irregularly cut swatch, both Beta cloth. Schweickart has signed on the verso: "Flown on Apollo 9- Cut/ From my PLSS-/ Rusty/ Schweickart". This would have been really located on the OPS (Oxygen Purge System) which was mounted on top of the PLSS backpack, just behind the helmet. Generally excellent condition with just some minor fading to the red stripes.
    (2) NASA "Meatball" Logo. A 3.75" square patch sewn to a swatch, both Beta cloth. This patch was located at top center of the backpack. Schweickart has signed on the verso: "Flown on Apollo 9/ Cut From my PLSS/ Rusty/ Schweickart". When removed from the PLSS, it was cut closely and it has partially unraveled. Also, there is one tiny snag in the cloth, otherwise excellent.
    (3) Name Tag. A 4.25" x 1" "R. SCHWEICKART" name patch sewn on to a slightly larger swatch, both Beta cloth. This was just below the NASA insignia. Schweickart has signed on the verso: "Flown on Apollo 9/ Cut From my PLSS/ Rusty Schweickart". Excellent condition.

    The PLSS is the backpack of the spacesuit, providing essentially the same functions of the spacecraft life support system in a smaller, wearable package. It was designed and manufactured for use in the Apollo program by the Hamilton Standard (now Hamilton Sundstrand) company. The PLSS was used in space on Apollo 9 for the very first time when Schweickart exited the Lunar Module Spider untethered. This was the first time an astronaut had exited a U.S. spacecraft using a self-contained life support system. Also, this was the first (and only time) the PLSS was tested in space before an actual lunar landing. Truly an historic group of patches, worthy of inclusion in the finest collections.

    Included with this lot is a glossy color 8" x 10" photo (NASA image AS09-19-2983) of Schweickart during his EVA. He is facing the camera so only part of the PLSS and OPS is visible. The image was taken from the Command Module Gumdrop.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping

    Sales Tax information  |  Terms and Conditions

    Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments

    Glossary of Terms

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    November, 2011
    30th Wednesday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 11
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 1,499

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Consign to the 2020 October 27 Domain Names Signature Auction - Dallas.

    Learn about consigning with us

    We had a wonderful time in New York during the October 2013 Historical Manuscripts auction that featured my mother’s papers collected during her tenure as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s secretary. In fact, the entire experience from beginning to end has been a pleasure.
    Howard Ballou,
    Brandon, MS
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search

    Recent auctions

    2018 April 18 Historical Manuscripts Grand Format Auction - Dallas
    2018 April 18 Historical Manuscripts Grand Format Auction - Dallas
    REALIZED SO FAR $1,015,299