posted 02-28-2012 10:02 AM            

2012 Spring Auction of Astronaut Experiences and Memorabilia

The the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's 2012 spring auction of Astronaut Experiences and Memorabilia catalog is now available for preview!

All 38 exciting lots are available for your viewing pleasure — from astronaut experiences such as touring the famous Vehicle Assembly Building with STS-1 pilot Robert Crippen, to rare autographed prints and memorabilia. Make sure you're prepared to blast off with us when bidding begins March 9, 2012 by registering today!

Register here to secure your virtual paddle number and preview the online catalog, then get ready to secure your SPACE!

Bidding starts March 9, 2012 at 9:00 AM EST and closes March 17, 2012 at 10:00 PM EDT. See the rules and regulations for full auction guidelines.

posted 03-09-2012 11:37 AM               

Apollo Astronauts Offer a Blast in Online Charity Auction

Sip from vintage cocktails over dinner at the glamorous Beverly Hills' Polo Lounge with Apollo 11 Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin or grab a front row seat and VIP access to the action-packed Coke Zero 400 with one of only 12 men who have left footprints on the Moon. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are just a sampling of what several legendary astronauts are offering in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's (ASF) online charity auction that opened today.

Pick from seven amazing Astronaut Experiences, including a private tour of Kennedy Space Center with Space Shuttle astronaut Robert Crippen and a wild safari trek through Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom with Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise.

In all, 39 auction lots are up for grabs, including an Apollo 14 beta cloth that flew to the moon, signed by Apollo Moonwalker Edgar Mitchell; a lunar map signed by 14 Apollo astronauts; and a rare autographed Alan Shepard vintage lithograph. And for anyone who's dreamed of being an astronaut, a zero gravity spacesuit worn by shuttle astronaut John Blaha on the Russian Mir Space Station is up for auction.

"The astronaut experiences offered in this auction are a great way for us astronauts to combine our hobbies with our dedication to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation," said Apollo 16 Moonwalker and ASF Chairman Charlie Duke, who is offering a Florida Keys SCUBA trip. "This auction will generate significant funds for some of the greatest young minds in our country."

Register and bid. The online auction concludes March 17, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. EDT. Winning bids, over fair market value, should be considered a charitable donation.

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Astronaut Scholarship Foundation who aids the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. ASF funds twenty-eight $10,000 scholarships annually and has awarded more than $3.2 million to students nationwide.