Sell or Auction Your Apollo 10 Flown Heat Shield for up to $2,600 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Apollo 10 flown heat shield that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your Apollo 10 Flown Heat Shield
We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions recently sold an Apollo 10 flown heat shield. Please see below for details:
Apollo 10 Flown Piece of Ablator in Lucite — Sold for $2,600


Here are some related items we have sold:
Apollo 8 Flown Heat Shield Segment, Comprising a Charred Plug from the First Manned Mission to Orbit the Moon
Very rare heat shield segment flown on the historic Apollo mission, not only the first manned mission to leave Earth’s low orbit and summit to the moon, but also the first manned mission of the Saturn V rocket. Segment is a charred plug, here preserved in lucite on a wooden base, with a plaque reading “First Manned Lunar Orbital Flight / Apollo 8 / Dec. 21-27, 1968″. Measures 4″ x 5.5″ x 3.125”. Very good plus condition. Very rare, with only one other recent example found at auction. Sold for $19,020.

Rare Apollo 13 flown heat shield plug encased in a circular piece of lucite and engraved in black along bottom, ”Apollo 13 / April 11-17, 1970”. Heat shield plugs are made of incredibly lightweight fiberglass ‘honeycomb’ which is hand-filled with an ablative resin material by air gun in order to limit high heat exposure during re-entry. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Plug measures 1.5” in diameter with ”37” engraved to bottom; lucite casing measures 3”. Near fine. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s sister.
Sold for $3,750.


Apollo 13 Flown Heat Shield Plug — A Piece Which Endured Incredible Circumstances During the Famous Mission
Rare Apollo 13 flown heat shield plug encased in a circular piece of lucite and engraved in black along bottom, ”Apollo 13 / April 11-17, 1970”. Heat shield plugs are made of incredibly lightweight fiberglass ‘honeycomb’ which is hand-filled with an ablative resin material by air gun in order to limit high heat exposure during re-entry. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Plug measures 1.5” in diameter with ”44” engraved to bottom; lucite casing measures 3”. Near fine. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s sister.
Sold for $3,750.


Apollo 13 flown heat shield plug, encased in a circular piece of lucite and engraved in black along bottom, ”Apollo 13 / April 11-17, 1970”. Heat shield plugs are made of a lightweight fiberglass ”honeycomb”, which is hand-filled with an ablative resin material in order to limit heat exposure during re-entry. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Plug measures 1.5” in diameter with ”12” engraved to bottom; lucite casing measures 3”. Near fine. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s sister.
Sold for $3,750.


Scarce Apollo 11 Space-Flown U.S. Flag — Affixed to a NASA Certificate Signed by Each of the Apollo 11 Crew Members: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins & Buzz Aldrin — With Steve Zarelli COA
American flag flown aboard the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon, presented on a certificate signed by the Apollo 11 crew: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Official NASA certificate with the Apollo 11 insignia reads: “This flag traveled to the moon with Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing, July 20, 1969”. Hand-signed in felt pen, “Neil Armstrong”, “Michael Collins” and “Buzz Aldrin”. Flag measures 6″ x 4″, affixed to certificate measuring 9.5″ x 11.5″ and framed to an overall size of 15″ x 17″. Some minor show-through of glue from verso of flag in four spots and minor toning to certificate, else near fine. A scarce memento from the historic mission. With Steve Zarelli COA. Sold for $89,220.


Jack Swigert’s 14K Gold Robbins Medal Flown Aboard Apollo 13 — One of Only 2 for Each Astronaut
Jack Swigert’s personally owned Robbins medal struck in 14K gold, flown aboard Apollo 13 where he famously reported, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Unlike the silver Robbins medals which number over 400 for the Apollo 13 mission, this very scarce gold Robbins medal is one of only six for each of the three astronauts on the mission, with each astronaut being able to purchase up to two. Like the silver Robbins medals, the original gold medals taken on the space flight were melted down and re-cast with the new design, without the landing date and with Swigert’s name replacing Ken Mattingly. Medal depicts mission insignia, including the name of the mission, three of Apollo’s chariot horses flying toward the Moon, and the slogan ”Ex Luna, Scientia” (from the moon, knowledge). Verso lists the crew members, space modules, and engraved dates of launch and return, as well as “14K r”. Unlike the silver medals, the gold medals were not serialized but it’s known that only six or less were produced. Gold medal measures 1.25” in diameter. In near fine condition. From the estate of Jack Swigert and with an LOA from his sister. Sold for $73,500.


The Apollo 15 Hand Controller From Al Worden
As Al Worden, the Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot, puts it in the signed COA included with this hand controller, which is mounted on wood: “…this control stick cover, NASA serial number MSC 991-0001.12, was the hand controller I used during the flight of Apollo 15. The function of the hand controller was to adjust the attitude of the spacecraft during flight. For instance it was critical to the maneuver designed to withdraw the Lunar Module from the S-IVB stage of the launch vehicle once leaving earth orbit. This maneuver involved 180 degree rotation of the Command and Service Module to align with the Lunar Module in storage. It was also essential for the alignment of the spacecraft in the proper direction for any thrusting maneuver. This controller was essential to the success of Apollo 15 and has been in my possession since the flight.” In near fine condition. Sold for $72,556.

Exceptionally Scarce Apollo 11 Flag Flown to the Moon — Signed by Armstrong, Aldrin & Collins
United States flag flown to the moon on Apollo 11 during the historic 1969 mission. Flag is mounted to an official NASA certificate reading: ”This flag traveled to the Moon with Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing, July 20, 1969.” Certificate is signed ”Neil Armstrong”, ”Michael Collins” and ”Buzz Aldrin” in felt tip and has the Apollo 11 crew emblem near the center. Printed along the bottom edge are the first words by Neil Armstrong after stepping upon the moon: ”One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. The silk United States flag measures 6” x 4”, mounted to the NASA certificate, which measures 10” x 12”. Some show through of adhesive to flag corners and light toning to certificate, else near fine. Sold for $63,195.

Extraordinarily rare Bible flown to the moon aboard Apollo 13. Complete King James microform Bible, Serial Number 13-010, originates from the Apollo Prayer League, formed with the dual goals of praying for the astronauts, and also of sending a Bible to the moon in the memory of Edward White, the astronaut who died in the Apollo 1 fire before he could fulfill that dream. Bible comes with two certificates of authenticity: one signed by the crew of Apollo 13 certifying that the Bible with serial number 13-010 flew to the moon; a second letter from the Apollo Prayer League is signed by both Commander James Lovell and also the Director of the Apollo Prayer League John M. Stout. Bible is beautifully framed in a custom presentation measuring 10.5” x 11.25”, accented with a pearl and garnet against red velvet and a gold cross. Miniaturized Bible measuring 1.5” square is centered in the presentation with ”HOLY BIBLE” at top. In beautiful, near fine condition with excellent supporting provenance. Sold for $62,500.


Jack Swigert’s Own Apollo 17 Flown Robbins Medal, Serial Number 41
Apollo 17 Robbins medal, serial number 41. Sterling silver medal commemorates Apollo 17 as the most recent lunar landing conducted by NASA to date. The mission launched 7 December 1972 and returned safely twelve days later. Pictorial obverse is cast with mission insignia, featuring stylized design elements of the U.S. flag and an eagle, alongside a bust in profile of Greek god Apollo. Figures are set against a detailed space ground featuring the moon and ringed planets. Scene is circumscribed by title, ”Apollo XVII / Cernan-Evans-Schmitt”. Reverse reads, ”Launch / Dec. 6, 1972 / Taurus-Littrow / Dec. 11, 1972 / Entry / Dec. 19, 1972”, circumscribed, ”America – Challenger / Apollo XVII The Beginning”. Coin measures 1.25” and is made of sterling silver, housed in its original ”Robbins Company” plastic box with an ”41” sticker on the bottom. Fine. With an LOA from Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert’s sister. A superb Apollo 17 Robbins medal flown. Sold for $56,250.


Jack Swigert’s Own Space-Flown Apollo 11 Robbins Medal, Serial Number 179
Rare Apollo 11 Robbins medal, serial number 179. Front of coin has “Apollo 11” engraved above the mission insignia of an eagle landing on the moon’s surface carrying an olive branch. Verso has three dates for the launch, “July 16, 1969”, landing, “July 20, 1969”, and returned, “July 24, 1969”. For the moon landing missions, three blank fields were included for the launch, lunar landing, and return dates and later engraved, as is the case here. Verso also has the “179” serial number engraved with each astronaut’s last name. Coin measures 1.25” and is made of sterling silver, housed in its original ”Robbins Company” plastic box with an “149” sticker on the bottom. One of the most expensive prices obtained for an Apollo 11 Robbins medal. Fine. With an LOA from Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert’s sister. Sold for $42,000.


Beautiful Earthrise photo from Apollo 8, one of the most famous images of the Apollo missions. ”Red number” photo AS8-14-2383 is printed on fiber-based paper with ”A Kodak Paper” watermark on verso along with NASA press blurb. Chromogenic print is encapsulated by PSA as a Type 1 photo from 1968. Measures 10” x 8”, encapsulated to 13.25” x 9.75”. Near fine condition. Sold for $21,875.

Apollo Operations Handbook Lunar Module Handbook – Lunar Module LM6 — Sold for $18,900.

Frank Borman and James Lovell signed Apollo 8 Lunar Orbit Chart, additionally writing memorable passages from their 1968 Christmas Eve lunar broadcast that mesmerized the world. Borman writes at top, ”’And from the crew of Apollo 8, We close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you – all of you on the good Earth.’ / Frank Borman”. Lovell then writes his memorable quote, ”Houston, please be informed there is a Santa Claus! / James Lovell”, followed by the passage from Genesis that Lovell read to the world, ”’And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day’ Genesis 1: 1-5”. Original Lunar Orbit Chart from 1968 is Edition 1, published 4 December 1968. Measures 41” x 12”. Very good to near fine condition. Sold for $7,980.

Apollo 10 U.S. Flag & Patch Flown to The Moon
US flag and Apollo 10 patch flown to the moon. Items are mounted to a COA signed in print (not authentically autographed) by Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan and John Young. Flag measures 6” x 4”, embroidered patch measures 3.75” x 4.25” and COA measures 13.5” x 9.5”. Framed to an overall size of 18” x 14.75”. Near fine. Sold for $4,375.

FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Apollo 10 flown heat shield that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
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