posted 04-28-2013 06:07 AM               

I am offering for sale a cue card that was referred to by the crew of Apollo 9 from lift off to orbit. On the left is the optimal sequence, which did in fact, fortunately, occur. Here is a photo, which shows the size (6"x7") and shape:

Notice the variations of "MODE", like "MODE IB". These reminded the astronauts which method to use if they had to abort the mission, depending on the altitude. (You'll see on the cue card the detailed instructions for each of those abort modes - that part of the card could have helped save their lives, but was fortunately not needed.)

Here is a scan as opposed to the photo, which perhaps shows the text (and its true white color) more clearly:

You'll see that there are some handwritten times on it. They were almost definitely written before, not during, the mission. I've asked about them on collectSPACE.

I'll mention that both Jim McDivitt and Dave Scott will be at Spacefest V in less than a month, and if you or someone you know is going, McDivitt and Scott might be able to tell more about the cue card and what they experienced during launch.

The back of the cue card, showing the handwritten certification from Jim McDivitt:

posted 04-28-2013 06:07 AM               

Some of the other terms on this cue card:

• "Staging" is mentioned twice - this was when a section of the Saturn V had used up its fuel and was dropped so the boosters of the next stage could ignite.

• "TWR JET" was the jettison of the escape tower, which could have pulled the command module off and away in an emergency.

• And at the end, S-IVB SHUTDOWN" refers to the boosters on the last stage being shut down. Orbit achieved!

Ed also sent me photographs taken inside the CM after the mission, showing the cue cards still attached to the control panels. The one I have is no longer there, of course - it was taken off once they were safely in orbit and replaced by cue cards they would need for the LM portion of the mission, and then those were replaced by ones they would need for splashdown. I've zoomed in on the cue cards in a couple of those photos:

(The buyer will receive high-resolution scans of all of these images.)

The cue cards that were flown on lunar missions can reach astonishing prices, like an Apollo 17 LM-flown one which sold for $22,705.

The price of this one, used at the very start of such an amazing mission, is SOLD $2,400.