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| Artifact Photo Credit and Image Copyright: EarthToTheMoon.com | NASA Photo
Credit: NASA |
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| Flight
Ready Backup Plaque for Apollo 16 |
Apollo
16 Plaque (Actual Flight Hardware) Being Held By Technician Prior to
Installation On LM |
| This lunar module plaque was
not flown but
was the backup Class 1 flight hardware for the Apollo 16 mission.
The actual plaque
which
flew on the Apollo 16 mission is also shown here being held by a NASA
technician. On each of the Apollo landings on the Moon, the lunar module had a similar plaque attached to the leg of the lander. During one of the EVAs the astronauts would conduct a short ceremony to unveil the plaque. The artifact was consigned in the Space & Aviation Memorabilia Auction conducted by Aurora Galleries on November 8th, 1995. This plaque was lot number 776 in that auction. The lot description from the auction catalogue stated, "776. Flight Ready Lunar Module Plaque (7.5x7.5") This engraved titanium plaque was designed to be attached to the leg of the lunar module as an identity plaque for posterity. It depicts two view of the Earth and reads "Apollo 16 / Orion / April 1972" with printed names of the astronauts and examples of their facsimile signatures. This is the backup plaque to that which actually flew ( nd is presently on the lunar surface). It is flight ready and sealed in plastic with NASA ID and "cleaned" tags as well as a "Spacecraft Parts Tag" (marked "Class One" (Flight Ready). It is compete with clamps at top and bottom. A finer example of a piece of lunar equipment would be hard to locate. It ts amazing that this piece has survived the past 30 years." The Earth To the Moon Air and Space Museum acquired this artifact in the Aurora Galleries auction. |