Apollo Lunar Module Utility Bracket Assembly flown to the lunar surface aboard the Apollo 15 LM 'Falcon,' presented to Edgar Mitchell by the Apollo 15 crew, affixed to an 8˝ x 6˝ wooden plaque, with engraved presentation plate: "This Utility Light Brkt. was Aboard the Falcon at Hadley Base, Moon. July 30–Aug. 2, Apollo Year 3, Presented by the Crew of Apollo 15 to Ed Mitchell." The clamp is stamped in red with part numbers, "LDW340-52040-1," with other markings and inspection stamps throughout the assembly. The assembly features two thumbscrews: one used to tighten or release the clamp jaws, and the other to adjust the relative orientation of the clamp and bracket. The bracket has a shoe-type plate that allows it to mate to either a Utility Light or the Data Acquisition Camera (DAC).
The Lunar Module Utility Light was a small, portable light used by the Apollo astronauts to provide additional illumination within the Lunar Module, especially in areas where fixed lighting was insufficient. It was designed to be versatile and repositionable, with a coiled cable and mounting foot that allowed it to mate to a utility bracket. The bracket's clamp allowed it to be positioned throughout the cabin; they were often secured to the Alignment Optical Telescope (AOT) guard. Further, the utility brackets could support the 16mm Data Acquisition Camera (DAC): on Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin used this type of bracket to point the DAC out the LM's window, capturing footage of Neil Armstrong's descent to the lunar surface and subsequent EVA exercises.
Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Karlyn Mitchell, the daughter of Edgar Mitchell.
