Lot #4359

Gene Kranz's MA-4 Mission Rules Notebook

Description

Gene Kranz’s final mission rules from NASA’s first successful orbital flight test

Flight Director Gene Kranz's original mission rules from Mercury-Atlas 4, the first American unmanned orbital space flight on September 13, 1961, 8.5 x 11, 29 pages fastened within a 9 x 11 binder with a NASA logo sticker and an adhesive with the typed notation, "MA-4 Mission Rules. Eugene F. Kranz. Procedures." The letter "F" has been written by hand then crossed out, with the letter "G" and "B-11" subsequently added. Issued to Gene Kranz, the first page is signed in black felt tip, "My mission rules for Mercury Atlas 4, our first orbital mission, 9/13/61, Eugene F. Kranz. Asst. Flight Director." The second page features handwritten notations in pencil, documenting changes made to the mission rules. In fine condition.

Part of the Mercury program, the mission was the first successful orbital flight test. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida with only a single crewman simulator instrument package onboard. The craft orbited the Earth once, and its success helped pave the way for John Glenn's 1962 orbital flight, the first for an American.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Space Exploration and Aviation
• Dates: #691 - Ended April 25, 2024

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