NASA or Apollo Program Manuals: Value Factors & How to Sell

To auction, sell or consign your NASA Program manual, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

What Is a NASA or Apollo Program Manual?

Various handbooks, plans and manuals were published during the NASA missions. Some outlined minute by minute instructions that a mission was to follow while on the moon, such as landing, breaks and EVA, while others were a more comprehensive plan an entire mission was designed to adhere to. At Nate D. Sanders Auctions we’ve sold several types of manuals, some signed for final approval by aerospace officials and others from the personal collection of astronauts.

NASA Program Manuals We’ve Sold:

Final NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Operations Plan — Sold for $21,000

We realized $21,000 for an original NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Operations Plan. Manual is dated 27 June 1969 and was published by the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). The MSC, now called the Johnson Space Center, is still based in Houston, Texas.

Apollo Operations Handbook — Sold for $18,900

We sold an original Apollo Operations Handbook for Lunar Module 6 (LM-6) and subsequent for $18,900. Manual is dated 15 September 1969 and has approval signatures from W.T. Malloy and W.J. Everett on cover. LM-6 was nicknamed Intrepid and took astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean to the Moon for the second human lunar landing in November 1969.

Final Apollo 11 Flight Plan Signed by Michael Collins — Sold for $14,954

Michael Collins is perhaps best remembered as the Command Module pilot from the Apollo 11 mission. While Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong explored the lunar surface, Collins orbited the Moon on the Command Module for nearly 24 hours. We sold a Michael Collins signed final edition of the “Apollo Flight Plan” for $14,954. Document runs over 320 pp and measures 8 x 10.5 inches. Autograph obtained at Spacefest 2019.

Michael Collins Signed Original Plan for Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Activity — Sold for $13,650

We realized $13,650 for an “Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Operations Plan” signed by Michael Collins at 2019 Spacefest. This original plan is secured by two staples, runs 184pp. and contains many fold-out diagrams. Document cover is dated 27 June 1969 and was published by Manned Spacecraft Center based in Houston, Texas.

Apollo 9 Flown TPI Appendix Signed by James McDivitt — Sold for $13,125

The Apollo 9 mission was a stage in the Apollo program as it tested both a Command/Service Module and the Lunar Module in Earth orbit. The mission took place between March 3 to March 13, 1969 and was led by NASA veteran James McDivitt who had already commanded Gemini 4. We sold a McDivitt signed and inscribed Apollo 9 flown TPI Appendix that comes from his personal collection for $13,125.

Saturn V Flight Manual — Sold for $5,775

We realized $5,775 for an original “Saturn V Flight Manual” dated 25 June 1971 and prepared for the Apollo 15 mission. Manual was published by the Marshall Space Flight Center, who currently leads exploration efforts such as the Space Launch System and the Artemis program. Manual measures 8.25 x 10.75 inches and is over 250pp. in length.

Apollo 11 Operations Handbook for the Lunar Module — Sold for $4,600

The lunar module for the Apollo 11 mission and officially named Lunar Module 5/ LM-5, but perhaps more famously remembered as its nickname “Eagle”. LM-5 is spacecraft that Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon with on July 20, 1969. We sold a first edition Apollo 11 Operations Handbook for LM-5 for $4,600. Handbook is 846pp and contains hundred of diagrams, fold-out charts and schematics for almost every facet of the Eagle’s operation.

Walt Cunningham Signed Apollo 7 Flight Plan — Sold for $2,310

Walt Cunningham signed copy of the Apollo 7 flight plan, with his handwritten reflections on the mission that started the Apollo program. Cunningham writes in black felt-tip on the cover, “Apollo 7 was the most ambitious first flight undertaken. John Glenn’s first Mercury mission had lasted less than five hours and the first Gemini flight did no better. Apollo 7 was to be our second longest space mission ever. Apollo 7 was our first step to the Moon. Walt Cunningham / Apollo 7″. Flight plan is a contemporary copy, and measures 8.5″ x 11”. Near fine condition. Sold for $2,310.

Fred Haise Signed Apollo 13 Flight Plan — Sold for $2,200

Original Apollo 17 Flight Plan — Sold for $1,300

Original “Final” issue Flight Plan for Apollo 17, the last of the lunar landing missions. Dated 23 October 1972, plan runs over 400pp. with hundreds of charts, illustrations and fold-out schematics. Measures 8″ x 10.5″. Previous owner’s name in pencil on front pale gray cover. Light wear, overall near fine. Sold for $1,300.

Buzz Aldrin Signed Apollo 11 Flight Plan — Sold for $1,000

Buzz Aldrin signed Apollo 11 flight plan, signed on the orange cover, “Buzz Aldrin” in black felt-tip. Complete unbound flight plan is a modern copy, and measures 8.5″ x 11″, and almost 1″ wide. Near fine condition. Sold for $1,000.

Thank you for stopping by to view some of our realized prices for NASA manuals! Please reach out if you have any questions or if you’d like to sell your Apollo or other related NASA manual/ handbook. Our current auction can be viewed at natedsanders.com.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my NASA handbook or manual?
It’s never been easier to sell your NASA manual at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What factors determine the value of a NASA flight manual?
The value of your manual can vary based the item’s condition, the mission the manual is from and if it is autographed or space-flown.