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Auction archive: Lot number 170

FLOWN ON APOLLO 14 – A camera lens dust brush used on the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission, 31 January to 9 February 1971.

Estimate
US$125,000 - US$175,000
Price realised:
n. a.
Auction archive: Lot number 170

FLOWN ON APOLLO 14 – A camera lens dust brush used on the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission, 31 January to 9 February 1971.

Estimate
US$125,000 - US$175,000
Price realised:
n. a.
Beschreibung:

FLOWN ON APOLLO 14 – A camera lens dust brush used on the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission, 31 January to 9 February 1971. A rare lunar surface carried exploration tool embedded with lunar dust, presented to Fred Haise by the crew of Apollo 14 as a gesture of thanks for his support work during the mission. This dust brush was used to clean two lunar surface Hasselblad camera lenses, the TV camera lens, additional cameras, and other delicate equipment. It was exposed to the lunar environment during two long surface explorations, known as ExtraVehicular Activities or EVAs, each over 4 hours in length. The entire stay on the lunar surface by Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell was nearly 34 hours. Apollo 14 made the longest-distance lunar surface EVA performed by foot during the Apollo Program. Shepard and Mitchell made two EVAs. The first was almost 4 hours and 50 minutes with Shepard and Mitchell deploying the ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package). These experiments sent scientific data for back to Earth for several years. This brush was used to ensure that camera lenses were free of lunar dust prior to photographs being taken of the US flag deployment, experiment placement, and selective lunar sample gathering. Out on the surface the crew had two space suit chest-mounted 70mm Hasselblad's, a 35mm stereo clasp camera, and a 16mm Maurer motion picture camera. The 35mm and 16mm cameras were placed on the Modularized Equipment Transporter (MET). This device was a two-wheeled hand-pulled cart used to carry geologic sampling and other equipment. The astronauts were outside for just over 4 hours and 30 minutes during the second EVA. They made over a half-mile trek to the vicinity of Cone Crater. As the moved toward the crater, the terrain became steeper and more boulder strewn than expected, severely impeding their progress. As Mission Control monitored their progress, it became clear that they would run out time for lunar sample collection if they continued toward the crater. Mission Control stopped their climb to Cone and had them begin collecting samples. Although disappointed, Shepard and Mitchell felt certain that most of the boulders in their direct vicinity had originated from the debris flying away when Cone Crater was formed. The wheels on the MET easily disturbed lunar surface dust and coated various equipment despite the fender dust guards. Moving up and down steep slopes, the astronaut’s heavy boots disturbed additional dust. This dust brush was a vital tool for removing accumulated dust off the camera lenses and other equipment. During this use, the bristles of this brush became embedded with lunar dust. 8 5/8 inches long. Metal handle with a red cord wrapped around one end beside an identification part number reading: "P/N SEB 33100402-301." Mounted onto a wood presentation board with a plaque reading: “APOLLO 14 Jan. 31 - Feb. 9, 1971 To Fred [Haise] From AL[an Shepard], STU[aurt Roosa], & ED[gar Mitchell]."

Auction archive: Lot number 170
Auction:
Datum:
18 Jul 2019
Auction house:
Christie's
New York
Beschreibung:

FLOWN ON APOLLO 14 – A camera lens dust brush used on the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission, 31 January to 9 February 1971. A rare lunar surface carried exploration tool embedded with lunar dust, presented to Fred Haise by the crew of Apollo 14 as a gesture of thanks for his support work during the mission. This dust brush was used to clean two lunar surface Hasselblad camera lenses, the TV camera lens, additional cameras, and other delicate equipment. It was exposed to the lunar environment during two long surface explorations, known as ExtraVehicular Activities or EVAs, each over 4 hours in length. The entire stay on the lunar surface by Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell was nearly 34 hours. Apollo 14 made the longest-distance lunar surface EVA performed by foot during the Apollo Program. Shepard and Mitchell made two EVAs. The first was almost 4 hours and 50 minutes with Shepard and Mitchell deploying the ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package). These experiments sent scientific data for back to Earth for several years. This brush was used to ensure that camera lenses were free of lunar dust prior to photographs being taken of the US flag deployment, experiment placement, and selective lunar sample gathering. Out on the surface the crew had two space suit chest-mounted 70mm Hasselblad's, a 35mm stereo clasp camera, and a 16mm Maurer motion picture camera. The 35mm and 16mm cameras were placed on the Modularized Equipment Transporter (MET). This device was a two-wheeled hand-pulled cart used to carry geologic sampling and other equipment. The astronauts were outside for just over 4 hours and 30 minutes during the second EVA. They made over a half-mile trek to the vicinity of Cone Crater. As the moved toward the crater, the terrain became steeper and more boulder strewn than expected, severely impeding their progress. As Mission Control monitored their progress, it became clear that they would run out time for lunar sample collection if they continued toward the crater. Mission Control stopped their climb to Cone and had them begin collecting samples. Although disappointed, Shepard and Mitchell felt certain that most of the boulders in their direct vicinity had originated from the debris flying away when Cone Crater was formed. The wheels on the MET easily disturbed lunar surface dust and coated various equipment despite the fender dust guards. Moving up and down steep slopes, the astronaut’s heavy boots disturbed additional dust. This dust brush was a vital tool for removing accumulated dust off the camera lenses and other equipment. During this use, the bristles of this brush became embedded with lunar dust. 8 5/8 inches long. Metal handle with a red cord wrapped around one end beside an identification part number reading: "P/N SEB 33100402-301." Mounted onto a wood presentation board with a plaque reading: “APOLLO 14 Jan. 31 - Feb. 9, 1971 To Fred [Haise] From AL[an Shepard], STU[aurt Roosa], & ED[gar Mitchell]."

Auction archive: Lot number 170
Auction:
Datum:
18 Jul 2019
Auction house:
Christie's
New York
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