The felt-tip pen that astronaut Buzz Aldrin used to save the Apollo 11 mission by fixing a broken circuit breaker on the moon has sold at auction for over $850,000. This historic artifact, a dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen, was purchased by a winning bidder for $857,600 at Sotheby's in New York, highlighting the immense value of space memorabilia.
The Apollo 11 Crisis and the Pen That Saved the Day
During the historic July 1969 moon landing, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin encountered a critical problem. After their first moonwalk, Aldrin noticed a broken circuit breaker switch on the floor of the lunar module—the very switch needed to power the ascent engine for their return to Earth. Without it, they risked being stranded on the lunar surface forever.
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Mission Control in Houston was unable to reroute the power, leaving the astronauts to improvise. Aldrin used a felt-tip pen to depress the broken switch, completing the electrical circuit and allowing the ascent engine to fire. This simple yet ingenious fix saved their lives and ensured their safe return home.
The Auction and Provenance
Sotheby's estimated the pen's value between $800,000 and $1.2 million, and it ultimately sold for $857,600 after a bidding war among five collectors. The lot also included the broken circuit breaker piece, both from Aldrin's personal collection. In a letter of provenance, Aldrin humorously noted the debate over who broke the switch, writing, "I think Neil broke the switch off and Neil thinks that I broke the switch off."
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Object | Duro Rocket felt-tip pen |
| Sale Price | $857,600 |
| Auction House | Sotheby's, New York |
| Mission | Apollo 11 (July 1969) |
| Bidders | 5 |
Key Takeaways from the Apollo 11 Pen Sale
- Ingenuity under pressure: A simple pen solved a life-threatening mechanical failure.
- Historical significance: The artifact represents a pivotal moment in space exploration.
- High auction value: Space memorabilia continues to fetch millions at auction.
- Personal provenance: Items from astronauts' collections carry premium value.
FAQ
Why did Buzz Aldrin use a felt-tip pen on the moon?
Aldrin used the pen to depress a broken circuit breaker switch that was essential for powering the ascent engine. Without it, he and Neil Armstrong could not have left the moon.
How much did the pen sell for at auction?
The pen sold for $857,600 at Sotheby's in New York, slightly below the estimated range of $800,000 to $1.2 million.
What else was included in the auction lot?
The lot also included the broken piece of the circuit breaker, both items coming from Buzz Aldrin's personal collection.
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