Flown aft sun shade, flown on board Skylab II (SL-3 mission), measuring 12″ in diameter. Shade is made from an aluminum alloy, with three indentations 60 degrees apart on the inward side to allow swing clips on the crew access side hatch circular window to secure it into place. An approximately one-inch square Velcro hook is in the center of this side with the word “AFT” in large print on the circular edge. Stamped with part number “V36-770032-9” and serial number “06362AAK0688” plus three inspection stamps. The reverse or space/sun facing side, consists of a white reflective coating and an approximately 0.5″ wide rubber-type cushion placed along the outer edge to reduce the likelihood of scratching any of the hatch/window surfaces. Signed on the white side in blue fine tip Sharpie, “Alan Bean SL-3 CDR.” In fine condition. Accompanied by photocopies of a compilation of four papers that trace the history of this sun shade. It was part of the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) artifact grouping internally known as “HOU No. 652,” and is a single line item (with matching part and serial numbers listed in the description above plus the spacecraft number it was flown on (117) and internal JSC artifact number (ART # 2292) from Voucher 6093-003, page 56 of 60. This page describes the artifact as “Window Cover – AFT.” Copies of these sheets were obtained from records on file at JSC. The HOU log indicates the Smithsonian Institution – National Air and Space Museum (NASM) received title to artifacts in HOU 652 in 1977 and this sun shade was item number 77 of this transfer. NASM assigned number 2495 to this artifact in 1977 (1977-2495). NASM 5809 (an artifact grouping) was deaccessioned in late 1989 to a third party. This shade was an important piece of equipment as it was used extensively to prevent sunlight from overheating Command Module systems for some 58 days while docked to the Skylab. RR Auction COA.
