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Lot #3202
Buzz Aldrin's Training-Used Apollo 11 Launch Operations Checklist

Launch abort training checklist from Aldrin's collection, with annotations by Collins—used by all three Apollo 11 crewmen in the CM Simulator

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Estimate: $2000+
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Description

Launch abort training checklist from Aldrin's collection, with annotations by Collins—used by all three Apollo 11 crewmen in the CM Simulator

Training-used 6 x 8 double-sided page from the 'Abort Procedures' section of the Apollo 11 Launch Operations Checklist used by the crew in the Apollo Command Module Simulator, with handwritten notations by Michael Collins on both sides, signed on one side in blue ballpoint, "Used in Training for Apollo XI, Buzz Aldrin." The page’s front and back, numbered “4-3” and “4-4,” provide the procedures for executing 'Mode II' or 'Mode III' aborts, to be performed during a launch abort from just over 3 minutes into flight until reaching orbit insertion. On the front, Michael Collins scratched out a value and wrote "HA"; on the back, Collins added, "SCS TVC P&Y—Auto," in the margin. In fine condition.

Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Buzz Aldrin, in part: "Accompanying this letter is a page numbered 4-3 and 4-4 from the CSM 107 (Apollo 11) Launch Operations Checklist, SKB32100080-306. It was part of the complete manual used in the Command Module Simulator at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. This page is from Section 4 titled: Abort Procedures.

The entire checklist, including this actual page, was used by all three Apollo 11 crew members: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and myself. We referred to this section almost every time we performed a launch abort because the simulator team would often put us in a situation that required us to execute an abort.

Side 4-3 has all the procedures to execute a Mode II Abort, which could occur Between 3 minutes and 16 seconds and 10 minutes 8 seconds into the flight. Neil Armstrong had to make the command decision when flight simulator conditions demanded that he start these sequences…He used this page extensively during sims. Mike Collins scratched out a value and wrote in “HA” on this side.

Side 4-4 has all the steps required for a Mode III Abort, which could occur between 10 minutes 8 seconds and 11 minutes 53 seconds into the flight. Mike also wrote in the additional step of “SCS TBC P&Y-Auto” on this side. Both of these aborts would be done by separating the CSM from the launch vehicle. Our escape tower was already jettisoned by this time into the flight. The sheet has a red tint to enable quick referral during emergency conditions.

It was important to rehearse the flow of this activity in the simulator. It was an excellent learning device and the checklist was an important tool to insure our correct performance. This training was a key step which enabled our flight to make the first manned lunar landing on July 20, 1969."

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Space
  • Dates: #619 - Ended October 21, 2021





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