Rare Apollo Rotation Hand Grip Controller. Controller housing measures 7.25 x 5.5 x 3, and is labeled on the face “1,” with its attached umbilical measuring 13.3″ long. Also referred to as an attitude controller or rotation hand control, this was used for controlling the spacecraft attitude. Handle pivots at the palm for pitch up/down, through the center of the handle for yaw left/right, and inside the housing for roll left/right. Levers in front of the handle lock the handle or unlock it for operation. Handle is missing the trigger switch which would activate the astronaut’s headset. Modified with “internal mechanical interface material changes to preclude stress corrosion.” (Rockwell specification ME901-0704-0802). Honeywell identification plates to one side identify part as “Rotation Control, Honeywell Part No. CG166H8, Rockwell spec. ME901-0704-0702, Serial No. 10028AAK1060, Manufacture Date 10 June 1969.” Modification Identification: “Honeywell Part No. CG166H9, Rockwell spec. ME901-0704-0802, Acceptance Date 6-15-73.” Joint connecting to the housing has its Beta cloth cover, with plastic tag labeled “P1,” other end retaining its protective metal cap.
Actual flown handles from missions are prized possessions of the astronauts in their private collections, and very difficult to come by for private collectors. To obtain such a rare Block II Rotational Controller is a unique opportunity and makes for a fine display piece in any Apollo-era collection. RRAuction COA.
