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Flown lunar module attitude controller assembly, used by LMP Edgar Mitchell and flown to the lunar surface on board the Apollo 14 Lunar Module Antares. The rotational hand controller and housing measure approximately 6.75˝ x 10˝ x 4˝, with two 15˝ umbilical cables protruding from the top of the housing, both with Beta cloth covered plugs at the ends. The rear of the housing retains its original Honeywell label, reading: "Attitude Controller Assembly, Unit No. 069, Mfg Part No. DCG163E9, Control No. LSC300-190-3-7, Contract No. NAS9-1100-3-5001, MFG Serial No. 069, Mfg Date 31 Dec 1968." The housing is also faintly marked in red, "LDW340-54220-27, SN 69," and bears several red inspection stamps, as well as mounting brackets on either side.
Using this hand controller inside the Lunar Module, Edgar Mitchell could control the spacecraft's rotation in either direction around all three axes, using it to adjust yaw, pitch, and roll. The joystick-style controller remains tight and functional: it smoothly moves forward and back (pitch down/up), side to side (roll left/right), twists clockwise and counterclockwise (yaw right/left), and returns to neutral. The trigger-style push-to-talk switch at the head of the grip, used to activate communications with the CSM and ground facilities, also functions. Located on the right side of the Lunar Module Antares, LMP Mitchell would have used this hand controller while landing the LM in the moon's Fra Mauro region, as well as when piloting the ascent stage to rendezvous with Command Module for their trip home.
Mitchell recalled practicing 'field stripping' the hand controller from the LM to keep as a souvenir, a process he had down to three minutes. He proudly displayed this unit on the desk in his study, housed in a handsome custom-made wooden case, with engraved plaque on the front: "Rotational Hand Controller, Apollo 14 Lunar Module 'Antares,' Captain Edgar D. Mitchell, NASA Astronaut & Lunar Module Pilot, On the lunar surface February 5–6, 1971." Includes an image of Mitchell posing with the controller in its case; the bottom of the wooden case had to be cut out to remove the controller, but it is included.
Based on research conducted by space collector, author, and appraiser Larry McGlynn (a star of Netflix's 'Space Dealers'), it is believed that only five of the Lunar Module attitude control assemblies were returned to Earth during the Apollo program: both were returned from Apollo 14 and Apollo 15, and one was brought home from Apollo 17. The Apollo 15 LM attitude controller assembly brought home by CDR Dave Scott achieved over $600,000 at RR Auction in 2014.
Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Karlyn Mitchell, the daughter of Edgar Mitchell.
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