The 30 Minute Rule begins April 23 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By April 23 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
Jim McDivitt’s flown 'Flight Data File' clip into low Earth orbit during the historic Apollo 9 mission, measuring 1.75" x 2.25" x 1", with etched part numbers: "P/N SEB3210094-301, S/N 1030 Assy." The aluminum checklist clip, which has a 1-inch square white Velcro patch on the front, was used to secure equipment such as checklist sheets, flight maps, and any loose articles during Apollo 9’s ten-day mission to qualify the LM for lunar orbit operations in preparation for the first Moon landing. In fine condition. Accompanied by a signed and flight-certified letter of authenticity from Jim McDivitt: “This Apollo 9 Data Clip was carried during our historic test of the combined Command/Service Module (CSM), call sign ‘Gumdrop,’ and Lunar Module (LM), call sign ‘Spider,’ on the flight of Apollo 9. As a test flight, Apollo 9 provided a thorough checkout in Earth orbit of the LM and its systems in a series of tests that included maneuvers such as rendezvous and docking with the CM, the testing of the ascent and decent engines and the only test EVA of the Apollo A7L Spacesuit prior to a manned landing on the Moon…
During the Apollo program, NASA's policy, as formed by Christopher Kraft (Director of JSC) and Donald ‘Deke’ Slayton (Head of the Astronaut Office), allowed astronauts to keep disposable equipment from their mission as personal mementos. I, accordingly, chose to include this Apollo 9 Data Clip among mine. This Apollo 9 Data Clip has remained a treasured part of my personal space collection for forty-one years, ever since NASA presented it to me back in 1969, after my return to Earth.” Includes a certificate of authenticity from Astronaut Central, which contains an image of McDivitt holding his signed letter.
