Up For Auction — The Apollo 15 Hand Grip From Al Worden Used in Space
FREE APPRAISAL. To auction, buy, consign or sell Apollo 15 memorabilia, please email Nate at [email protected] or call the Nate D. Sanders Auction House (http://www.NateDSanders.com) at (310) 440-2982.
Apollo 15
Al Worden served as command module pilot for Apollo 15 which commenced on 26 July 1971 , becoming one of NASA’s great Apollo missions. Along with spacecraft commander David Scott and lunar module pilot James Irwin, the team successfully led the fourth manned lunar landing mission, becoming the first to visit and explore the moon’s Hadley Rille and Montes Apenninus.
The mission was completed on 7 August 1971 as the flight splashed down in the Pacific Ocean that day, logging 295.2 hours in space and a distance of over 1.4 million miles.
via AeroSpaceGuide
Apollo 15 became the first of what were termed “J missions“, long stays on the Moon, with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous missions.
via AlWorden.com
In 2012, we sold a great assortment of one-of-a-kind items relating to the Apollo 15 mission. Like this Apollo 15 flown American flag, which sold for $4,061.00
That flag was one of an incredible collection of 100+ Apollo 15 flown flags from various countries commemorating the 1971 Apollo 15 mission. These Apollo flags garnered incredible prices realized.
And in our upcoming auction, we are adding to our Apollo menagerie with the most unique item we’ve yet seen — the actual Apollo 15 hand grip of the controller used by Al Worden, with a signed COA from Worden.
The grip was used at various points in the mission and helped to adjust the attitude of the spacecraft during flight at many incredible tense, critical moments in the journey.
As Al Worden puts it in the signed COA included with the grip, 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.”
Be sure to check out this incredible piece of space history, commemorating one of the most important of NASA’s Apollo missions.
FREE APPRAISAL. To auction, buy, consign or sell Apollo 15 memorabilia, please email Nate at [email protected] or call the Nate D. Sanders Auction House (http://www.NateDSanders.com) at (310) 440-2982.