Size: 2 x 2.3 cm.
Manufacturer: Grumman / Presentation: The Right Stuff Inc.
Description: Apollo 13, America'S third lunar landing mission, was aborted due to an oxygen tank explosion aboard "Odyssey's" Service Module more than 200,000 miles from earth on its outbound journey. This caused the spacecraft to lose its electrical power, oxygen, and water supplies. Astronauts James A- Lovell Jr., Fred W. Haise, and John L. Swigert, Jr. were forced to use the Lunar Module Aquarius as a lifeboat for the 500,000 mile voyage back to earth. After a slingshot maneuver around the Moon, the crew returned safely to earth when their Command Module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970.
This section of braided cloth strap is a portion of the webbing from the Lunar Module Aquarius. It was salvaged by the crew of Apollo 13 prior jettisoning of the LM. The webbing was cut into small pieces and presented to members of the support teams that helped the crew return home safely.
There were a few of these straps given to the Apollo support teams. The fratment in my collection comes from this braided strap.
The affixed portion of braided cloth strap was actually flown in the Apollo 13 Lunar Module Aquarius. It was gifted to NASA Production Control Engineer William R. Whipkey, who had it in his possession until he sold it to Sandy Clarkson from The Right Stuff Inc.
It comes with a copy of the COA signed by W. R. Whipkey.
