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Author
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Topic: Flown Apollo 11 hatch equipment label history
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atpowell
Member Posts: 45
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-15-2013 02:17 PM
  
I was so excited to finally obtain a flown Apollo 11 artifact a few months ago at auction. The letter from Buzz Aldrin states in part "aluminum equipment label... was salvaged from the Command Module forward hatch of the 'Eagle' and was flown to the moon on the Apollo 11 flight." So I'm trying to learn more about this and wondering if any of you can help. A few questions: - The letter says 'Eagle' but I believe this was from the forward hatch of 'Columbia' — the outside of the hatch (that mated with Eagle).
- So if this was the "outside" of the forward hatch, was this exposed to space? I know there was a docking probe — was that sealed over this?
- So presumably one could open this hatch from the outside using "Tool B" in case of emergency — assume that would be if the LM was docked to the CM and for some reason Collins couldn't open the hatch?
- Any ideas of a picture of this on the outside of any Apollo CM hatch? I have been looking.
- Any idea how/why this was removed from 'Columbia'? Seems like this is a 'part' of the spacecraft — surprised it was separated. Would Aldrin have removed it and if so thoughts on when?
Thanks for any insights! I love to learn the 'stories' behind these amazing artifacts! — Albrecht |
LateApex
Member Posts: 44
From: Chicago
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 04-15-2013 02:23 PM
Congrats on winning that item. I was bidding against you and really wanted it - fantastic piece.Wishing you the best in learning more. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 04-15-2013 06:02 PM
That type of decal would be located on the exterior of the forward hatch. So it would have been exposed to space. Congratulations!The exterior insulating film and attached decals were removed after the flight as part of the standard spacecraft post-flight processing. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 04-15-2013 06:27 PM
Which auction was this item sold at? |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-15-2013 06:35 PM
You can see this decal in situ on page 47 of the Apollo Command Module News Reference. |
atpowell
Member Posts: 45
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-15-2013 07:08 PM
What an amazing group of people – thanks so much for all the information! I cherish this piece of history even more with all these insights. I won this at the November 2012 RR Auction. MikeJ, thanks for the CM News reference! I looked everywhere to find a photo! John, I've followed your posts for years – thanks – and exposed to space on top – how exciting! And LateApex, sorry for outbidding you, but the prize of my collection. Thanks everyone! |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-16-2019 07:45 PM
An example of your type decal applied to the forward hatch, in this instance the hatch is on display and has been improperly oriented inboard by the institution:  Tool B was also provisioned for the crew to gain main hatch access in the event of an emergency EVA; an example of that decal (also removed post flight) follows below in company with Tool B. The decal is fitted around 4 white radio luminescent discs (centered around the slot which Tool B engages to open the depressurization valve).  
As installed on the CM (left side of hatch):  |
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