Dave Scott's flown Lunar Module Timeline Book carried to the lunar surface during the historic Apollo 15 mission, signed and flight-certified on the front cover in blue ink, "Flown to the lunar surface during Apollo 15, July 26-Aug. 7, 1971, Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR." The ring-bound 8.5 x 10.5 manual is labeled on the front, "Apollo 15, LM Timeline Book, Part No. SKB32100115-388, S/N 001," and contains 38 pages (19 double-sided sheets), heavily annotated throughout by both CDR Dave Scott and LMP Jim Irwin, extensively used during the operations of the LM Falcon during the mission. The book's numerous checklists and charts summarize the full sequence of the Lunar Module Falcon's operations, with each major procedure or maneuver tabbed on the edge to enable ease of access. Scott and Irwin have annotated the pages to record various values and mission elapsed times, and tick off checklists. For example, each of the items in the post-docking "LM to CM Transfer List"— including their helmets, EV Gloves, PPKs, Flag Kit, and film magazines—has been checked off. In very good to fine condition, with a light stain to the bottom of the first page, and a tear near the tab on page 11/12.
Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Apollo 15 CDR Dave Scott, in part: "I hereby certify that the 'LM Timeline Book' included with this letter was used for extensive operations in the Lunar Module (LM) Falcon throughout the first extended scientific exploration of the Moon at the Hadley Apennine region during Apollo 15…This multi-page comprehensive book was flown in lunar orbit and carried to the lunar surface and used in the Lunar Module Falcon for three days of surface exploration traverses…The operations begin with 'Undock and Separation' from the Command and Service Module (CSM) through lunar landing ('Terminal Phase Initiation') including potential aborts, followed by launch from the Moon and 'Ascent' to rendezvous with the Command and Service Module (CSM) in lunar orbit. Numerous handwritten notes and comments are made throughout the Book by both crewmembers.
Of particular significance are various rendezvous timelines, relative motion trajectories, inertial plots, and abort charts on pages 29 through 38, most titled: 'Inertial Relative Plots' (5/14/71). These pages would be essential in the event the Lunar Guidance Computer (LGC) failed at any point before or after lunar liftoff. These charts would be used for rendezvous with the Abort Guidance System (AGS) or a full manual rendezvous with only the radar and the Crewman Optical Alignment Sight (COAS). This concept, a 'direct rendezvous,' had been demonstrated during the Gemini Program and first planned during Apollo 14. Using the direct rendezvous, Apollo 15 launched and completed the rendezvous with the CSM in only 1 hour and 48 minutes (12 minutes less than a full lunar orbit). The final approach and docking were conducted on the far side of the Moon where the LM was not in contact with Mission Control and could not receive any tracking or maneuver data—the entire procedure was onboard only and these rendezvous charts were essential for success."
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$35.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
