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Author Topic:   NASA investigations into flown artifacts
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-19-2009 07:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
GovernmentAttic.org ("Rummaging in the Government Attic") has a collection of closed NASA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigation reports, spanning January 1991 through October 2008.

Included in the archive (PDF, 10mb) are several reports pertaining to space artifacts and memorabilia, including some that were previously discussed by collectSPACE readers.

The reports offer some insight into NASA policies concerning the possession of space shuttle tiles, Challenger and Columbia debris, moon rocks and other flown hardware.

Reports include:

  • Sale of NASA Equipment by Sotheby's (Eisele's Omega Watch)
  • Alleged Columbia Tile for Sale on eBay
  • NASA Documents, Pictures, Prototypes for Sale on Craig's List
  • Alleged Possession of Challenger O-Ring Debris
  • Possible Sale of Shuttle Parts, NASA Headquarters
  • Auction of Space Items, Johnson Space Center
  • Possible Challenger Debris
  • Alleged Theft of Mercury Flown Helmet, Johnson Space Center
  • Alleged Moon Rock Possession, NASA Headquarters
  • Apollo 11 SSTV Tapes, Goddard Space Flight Center
[via NASA Watch]

Matt T
Member

Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001

posted 08-20-2009 01:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt T   Click Here to Email Matt T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This paragraph from the review of the sale of Eisele's Omega watch is of some interest for hardware collectors:
On June 11, 2007, this matter was discussed with (deleted) Counsel, NASA Office of Inspector General, (deleted) opined that since NASA did not have adequate property management control over items flown on space missions in the 1960s it would be doubtful if it could be established that Eisele was ever directed to return the watch. Many items flown in space during the 1960's were given to Astronauts by unofficial means and NASA did nothing to recover these items at that time. (deleted) opined it was not in NASA's best interests to attempt to recover the watch from Sotheby's.

Matt T
Member

Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001

posted 08-20-2009 01:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt T   Click Here to Email Matt T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Also these excerpts (regarding the flown Cooper helmet discussed on cS) has wider interest as the same auction in the early 90s yielded a number of other spacesuit items in circulation.
However, the 010 investigation disclosed that during the Mercury program NASA did not document the specific helmets used on each space flight.

(deleted) provided information that NASA legally has ownership rights to the helmet but policy issues would dictate any attempts at recovery. Currently, no documentation within the JSC legal office exists regarding the transfer of the helmet. Additionally, no documentation would exist regarding gifting of the helmet primarily because it would have been illegal to gift.

On September 6, 2007, NASA management responded to the DIG Management Referral by stating that it would not pursue recovery of the helmet.

The response indicated that if the helmet was the actual flown helmet, NASM not NASA has ownership rights. Conversely, if the helmet was a training helmet, NASA was unlikely to pursue its recovery.

Since no evidence of criminal or civil violations exists, and NASA management has declined to pursue recovery of the helmet, this case is closed.

All times are CT (US)

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