Artifact: Apollo 8 mission patch.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Dimensions: 4½x4" / 115x100 mm.
Program: Apollo
Flown Status: unflown.

Description:

AB Emblem patch sold as souvenir. It has a black outline around the Moon, Earth and the 8, which was not present in other patches.

Apollo 8

The Apollo 8 mission was a historic milestone in space exploration. Launched on December 21, 1968, it marked the first time humans traveled to the Moon.

The crew of Apollo 8 consisted of astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders. Their primary objective was to orbit the Moon and gather essential data to support future lunar landings. This mission was a crucial step towards fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the 1960s.

Apollo 8 successfully entered lunar orbit on December 24, 1968. During their ten orbits around the Moon, the crew captured awe-inspiring images of the lunar surface, including the iconic "Earthrise" photograph, showcasing our planet rising above the Moon's horizon.

The astronauts also conducted various experiments and observations, studying the Moon's geological features and testing the spacecraft's systems. Their transmissions back to Earth, including a Christmas Eve broadcast featuring a reading from the Book of Genesis, captivated audiences worldwide and served as a unifying moment during a tumultuous year.

After completing their lunar orbit, Apollo 8 began its journey back to Earth and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on December 27, 1968. The mission's success boosted confidence in NASA's capabilities and paved the way for the subsequent Apollo missions that ultimately led to the first Moon landing in 1969.

More information:

Crew Patch Reference Guide: Apollo 8

Item: Rocket pioneer Ernst Stuhlinger handsigned Apollo 8 FDC
Size: 16.6 x 9.2 cm.

Description: Ernst Stuhlinger signed cover.

Ernst Stuhlinger (December 19, 1913 – May 25, 2008) was a German-American atomic, electrical, and rocket scientist. After being brought to the United States as part of Operation Paperclip, he developed guidance systems with Wernher von Braun's team for the US Army, and later was a scientist with NASA. He was also instrumental in the development of the ion engine for long-endurance space flight, and a wide variety of scientific experiments.