Flown Lunar Module interim stowage strap carried to the lunar surface during the Apollo 12 mission, measuring 10.5″ long, with sewn-on white Beta cloth part identification tag: "SEB 33100015-302, S/N 1148." The brown teflon strap, used to secure lunar exploration equipment within the spacecraft, features several alternating swatches of Velcro and metal snaps and has lunar dust embedded in the white Beta cloth area. Includes a handwritten letter of provenance signed by Apollo 12 Commander Charles Conrad, in full: "This 'interim stowage strap,' Part Number SEB 33100015-302, Serial Number 1148 was flown to the lunar surface aboard the Lunar Module Intrepid during the flight of Apollo XII. It was used to secure lunar exploration equipment and logged over 31 hours on the moon's surface during November 19-20, 1969. The strap is listed on page 63 of the Apollo XII stowage list. It has been in my personal collection since I returned from the moon." Also includes a two-page typed document on Conrad's personal letterhead, documenting a microscopic examination of the strap, outlining the characteristics by which the "embedded grains in the white Beta cloth area match lunar regolith samples." In fine condition.
Apollo XII was the first lunar landing to perform two extensive surface explorations where Conrad and Bean accumulated a large amount of lunar dust on their space suits and flight equipment. During their 31-hour surface stay, this strap was exposed to lunar dust carried into the LM by the crew. The included analysis of the embedded lunar material describes observed plagioclase feldspar, blackish extremely angular fragmented agglutinate-like grains, and greenish-yellow grains being olivine.
