Rare Lunar Module Translation Control Assembly, measuring 7.75″ x 8″ x 5″ overall, with upper portion missing original Grumman Aircraft Eng. Corp label and marked “Not For Flight.” The assembly consists of the original housing structure with external "Friction" knob, which controlled the drag on the T-handle, and a vertical lever to select between "Throttle," or "Jets." The T-handle hand controller and lower blue skirt are realistic 3D prints. In fine condition, with expected signs of use.
The Thrust Translation Control Assembly (TTCA) was used by the Apollo astronauts to control translation of the Lunar Module (LM) in any axis during missions to and from the lunar surface. Two TTCAs, each made for left-handed control, provided the LM astronauts with the capability to gently guide the LM on each axis and also provided a manual throttle mode to provide varying thrusts of the descent engine. A soft stop is designed at 53 degree deflection of the throttle handle, which allowed for command of 0-53 percent thrust of the descent engine when fine control was required during landing maneuvers. Beyond the soft stop were 10 degree of handle deflection for controlling 53-100 percent of descent-engine thrust.
The importance of this controller to the Apollo mission cannot be overemphasized. It was this controller that enabled all the Apollo lunar landings to be successful, as the necessity for manual control in the final stages of landing were crucial. In the very first moon landing, Neil Armstrong was forced to take manual control of the LM when it was headed for a boulder-strewn area. With the important help of Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong was able to land the LM safely with less than 30 seconds of fuel available.
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