First motion switch used in the launch of Cooper’s Faith 7 capsule, mounted inside a 9.25 x 3.5 x 3.5 display, with a descriptive plaque on the side reading, “First Motion Switch. This switch detected the first motion of Atlas Launch Vehicle 130-D on 15 May 1963 as it boosted NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper in his spacecraft ‘Faith 7’ into the longest U.S. orbital flight to date.” The opposite side bears a plaque reading, “Astronaut Gordon Cooper, Project Mercury MA-9, 15–16 May 1963, Cape Canaveral, Florida, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.” Engraved plates on the other sides bear a Project Mercury emblem and General Dynamics logo. In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Gordon Cooper’s widow certifying it as originating from the Cooper Family Collection. Cooper’s successful flight made him the first American to spend more than 24 hours in space as well as the last-ever solo orbital mission. This switch, which detected the very moment his spacecraft launched, is a fantastic, well-presented memento from his personal collection.
