TLS signed “Buzz,” one page, 8.5 x 11, RECON letterhead, August 27, 1982. Letter to Deke Slayton. In full: “We are all aware that we are a small number of men who were selected by a process which declared us in some ways, ‘superior,’ and whose experiences in space declared us ‘elite.’ The press created "heroes" of us and continues to find us newsworthy. Most of us, left to our own devices, would not have attained a place in the public eye; but, since it was thrust upon us, if we choose to function in some respects as a group, we could make an impact. We have had our differences, and it is unlikely that we would ever elect to be as closely associated as we once were. However, what I am proposing is that we unite our influence, discard our differences and produce effective clout. How we would proceed to function as a group as well as what areas we would select for our involvement, I believe, merit our exploration. Perhaps some identification of an historic subgroup should be discussed also. Therefore, I suggest that we get together between the shuttle launch and the first landing at KSC. Most recent information indicates this would be STS-7 now scheduled for April 20, 1983. The purpose of this letter is to give you some time for evaluation and an opportunity to mark your calendar. Please let me hear your reactions, thoughts, or suggestions.” In fine condition, with some light toning to edges and a few creases and wrinkles. Letter originates from the estate of Deke Slayton.
In this remarkable letter, Aldrin reveals his own conception of his historic achievement and those of others involved in the Apollo program. Seeming to express discomfort with the press and public's glorification of the early astronauts, he describes his "place in the public eye" and suggests a way to make his celebrity more meaningful. Aldrin aspires to unite Apollo astronauts around a purpose, harnessing their collective influence to "produce effective clout." His candor and personal insights make this letter from the second man on the Moon one of the finest pieces of NASA correspondence we have seen.
It is no surprise Aldrin would approach Donald K. “Deke” Slayton with his proposal. Slayton was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, among the first of Aldrin’s ‘elite’ selected for U.S. manned space flight. Slayton was grounded by a heart murmur, but came to serve as NASA’s director of flight crew operations, playing an instrumental role in the Apollo missions. It was Slayton who asked Aldrin to become an astronaut in October 1963 and Slayton’s Apollo missions rotation system that landed Aldrin in the crew of Apollo 11.
In the letter, Aldrin proposes to meet at the time of STS-7, a NASA mission in which the Space Shuttle Challenger positioned several satellites into orbit and was the first to include a female astronaut-Sally Ride. Challenger was launched from Kennedy Space Center on June 18, 1983 and landed at Edwards Air Force Base on June 24. It is unknown if the meeting Aldrin proposed ever occurred.
An exceptional Aldrin letter to the man who put him on the moon, providing insight into Aldrin’s sense of his achievement and the relationships among NASA’s “historic subgroup.” Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
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