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Choice Letter Bearing a Sample of Original “Kapton” Foil from Apollo II
ALDRIN, Buzz (1930- ) American astronaut, first of two persons to land on the moon and the second person to walk on the moon. Fabulous typed letter signed on the colorful letterhead of Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut. Lengthy letter regarding the July 20, 1969 flight to the moon. He continues: “The spacecraft which carried Neil and me to the Moon was known as the “Command Module”, and bore the symbolic name Columbia. To protect our fragile craft from the extreme environment of deep space, a thin layer of material known as Kapton Foil, gold-colored on the front and with a silver backing, was attached to the outside skin of the Columbia. This delicate foil played a critical role by reflecting the sun’s intense heat off the ship, helping us to maintain comfortable temperatures within. Because the foil was attached to the outside skin of the Columbia, its gold-colored side was directly exposed to deep space…” He continues: “When reflecting on the epochal voyage of Apollo II, I often think of the plaque left behind on the moon at Tranquillity Base, It bears the inscription HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND, JULY 1969 AD.” Attached to the center of this letter is a piece of Kapton Foil from Apollo 11. The letter is boldly signed “Buzz Aldrin.” Never folded and in mint condition....................SOLD
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