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Gordon Cooper’s spiral-bound training and checkups notebook that he used as backup commander for the Apollo 10 mission, the front cover of which bears his ownership signature, “Gordon Cooper,” the serial numbers for the spacecraft, “CSM 106, LM 4,” and the mission type lettered as “F”; interestingly, Cooper has struck through “LM 5,” the eventual serial number for the Apollo 11 LM Eagle, and mission type letters “G” (Apollo 11) and “E” (an unflown simulated lunar mission in Earth’s orbit). The notebook, 8.5 x 11, features 22 pages of notes by Cooper, accomplished in pencil and ballpoint, which contain approximately 15 entries dated from June 3, 1968, to December 13, 1968. These dates cover a wide range of topics related to the development and organization of the Apollo 10 mission, its spacecraft, and the various systems and components, with numerous sections related to adjustments or improvements requested by the prime and backup crews, the latter of which consisted of Cooper, Edgar Mitchell, and Donn Eisele. These checkups include, but are not limited to, the “SCS hand controller,” “LM5 Bench check,” “neck dams,” “couch struts,” and “wrist rings.” Also of interest is a section marked “RDZ” (Rendezvous) that contains a hand-drawn graph related to DOI (Descent Orbit Insertion) and the lunar landing, with Cooper also adding sections for “Separation,” “Phasing,” “Insertion,” “CSI,” “CDH,” “TPI,” and more.
Included with the notebook are an additional 23 pages of loose handwritten notes by Cooper, which contain a list for “Annual Blood Work,” a 4-page Apollo 7 debrief dated October 28, 1968, a 9-page Apollo 8 debrief, and an 8-page “Data Priority Meeting” on January 27, 1969, with notes on spacecraft, transearth and translunar injection, REFSMMAT, block data, cislunar abort plans, and more. These notes are accompanied by a 2-page agenda packet for “Astronaut Briefing on F Mission, Friday, 24 January 1969,” and several mimeographed internal memos with subject matter related to the “LM-4 Altitude Chamber Test,” “LM-5 Bench Check and Crew Compartment Fit and Function,” and the “LM-4 ECS,” the latter of which is paired with a copy of a “Crew Report - LM4,” which observes that the “Vehicle ECS system is unsatisfactory.” In overall fine condition, with occasional rusty paperclip stains.
A content-rich record of Cooper’s involvement and preparation as part of the Apollo 10 mission, rife with internal discussions that touch on aspects ranging from spacecraft set-ups to lunar touchdowns. Interestingly, this would prove to be Cooper’s final role as a NASA astronaut. As backup commander for Apollo 10, Cooper, as determined by the normal crew rotation in place during Apollo, was set to join the scheduled Apollo 13 mission, which later became Apollo 14. However, he was ultimately not chosen for the mission, with Deke Slayton, Director of Flight Crew Operations, believing that Cooper’s training was not up to par.
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