Jim McDivitt’s flown Terminal Phase Initiation (TPI) Update data card that was carried aboard the Lunar Module Spider during the Apollo 9 mission, signed and flight-certified on the reverse in green felt tip, “Flown on Apollo 9, ‘Spider,’ Jim McDivitt.” The front of the “TPI Update (P34)” data card, 6.5 x 7.5, features several tables and charts annotated in black felt tip, and the back bears three affixed Velcro swatches, and the upper portion is numbered “21.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from McDivitt, which contains two images of him holding the offered TPI Update card: “I certify that this...TPI Update (P34) Data Card was flown aboard Apollo 9, March 3-13-1969, used in LM ‘Spider,’ and is from my personal collection.”
The purpose of TPI was to begin the final approach and docking procedures necessary to join the Command Module and the Lunar Module in Earth orbit. During TPI, the spacecraft would have been in close proximity to the Command Module, and the astronauts would have performed a series of maneuvers and actions to ensure a successful docking. This phase was crucial to the mission's success, as it was a critical step in testing the capability to dock and undock the Lunar Module, which was essential for future lunar missions.
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