Flown Astronaut David Scott’s Nametag and Piece of Thermal OPS Jacket Coated with Lunar Dust AND a U.S. Flag Flown to Lunar Surface
During the three EVA's made by David Scott and Jim Irwin on the lunar surface totalling nearly 17 hours between 31 July and 2 August 1971, each astronaut utilized a Personal Life Support System (PLSS) that provided breathing oxygen and temperature control for his spacesuit. Mounted on top of and connected to the PLSS was an Oxygen Purge System (OPS). Both the PLSS and the OPS were protected by a multi-layer, thermal insulation jacket. Since each OPS was individual for the astronaut, Scott’s nametag was sewn to the thermal jacket for his OPS; Scott's name is printed in red on his nametag to denote him as the mission commander. During both the EVA’s and the rides aboard the lunar rover, used for the first time on the Apollo XV mission, this thermal jacket and Scott’s nametag were exposed to and became coated with lunar dust. When the astronauts returned to the LM after each EVA, they brushed off as much lunar dust as possible, but their suits and PLSS/OPS units became heavily “stained" with lunar material. After the flight, the Crew Systems division personnel presented this triangular piece of the OPS thermal jacket (7.5 x 6 x 5") with Scott’s nametag to him; it has been in his possession since that time. This piece of the OPS thermal jacket is complete with the Mylar and other micrometeorite and thermal protection layers and two of the snaps used to attach the thermal jacket to the OPS remain in the corners. Both the piece of the OPS thermal jacket and the nametag are gray with moon dust, concentrated around the sewn edges. ALSO Included in this lot is a black and white (8x10") NASA photograph of Scott wearing his PLSS and OPS; Scott has autographed this photo. This lot is professionally matted and framed (to 18 x 25") with a brass plate which reads "Carried to the Surface of the Moon, Apollo 15 Lunar Module Falcon, July 30-August, 2, 1971. David R. Scott, Commander; Alfred M. Worden, Command Module Pilot; James B. Irwin, Lunar Module Pilot".ALSO included in this lot are a silk US flag (4x6") which was flown to the lunar surface, on which Scott has inscribed in blue ink "Flown onboard 'Falcon' to the Hadley-Apennine Mountains of the moon July 26-August 7, 1971. Dave Scott, Apollo 15", accompanied by a mission patch on which the “XV" is embroidered in silver. These two items are accompanied by a color photograph of Scott in his spacesuit which he has autographed. These three items are professionally mounted and framed (to 18 x25") to match the framed nametag. A certificate of authencity from David Scott is included. A similar nametag (plus NASA logo patch) belonging to fellow Apollo 15 astronaut Jim Irwin was sold in the Christies 1999 space auction for $280,000. This lot is of comparable rarity and value. Ex: the Astronaut Dave Scott Collection.
Flown