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a08_v_bw_o_n (68-H-1331, 108-KSC-68P-618)

“Technician inserts two inflight pens and a penlight in spacesuit pocket of Apollo 8 Command Module Pilot James Lovell about four hours before he was launched on a lunar orbital mission with Commander Frank Borman and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders. The Astronauts rode into earth orbit aboard a 363-foot-high Saturn V space vehicle following their launch at 7:51 a.m., EST, December 21, 1968. Apollo 8 is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s first manned launch using the Saturn V.”

 

Consider this, the FIRST manned flight of the most complex, most powerful rocket ever built.

Destination: the friggin’ MOON.

Steely-eyed missile men? The Right Stuff?

Yes indeed, and a WHOLE LOT more.

 

Awe inspiring.

Once in a lifetime.

 

May/may not be the same one. Interesting regardless:

 

historical.ha.com/itm/explorers/space-exploration/apollo-...

Credit: Heritage Auctions website

 

Even more interesting:

 

www.collectspace.com/news/news-073117a-apollo-penlight-ba...

Credit: collectSPACE website

 

airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/pressure-suit-a7-l-...

Credit: NASM website

 

Note that the name tab on the NASM suit appears to be “J LOVELL”, while the suit in the pre-flight photograph bears “LOVELL”. Most likely due to the original being removed after the flight, and given to Lovell, as I believe was the case with each mission, other than Apollo 11.

 

Neither here nor there; however, the name tab, U.S. flag and NASA/mission emblems are disturbingly faded, especially for wear only during Intravehicular Activity. Maybe some sort of conscientious conservation measures should’ve been started a whole lot earlier?

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Uploaded on December 22, 2020
Taken on December 22, 2020