Description:

Apollo 13
[Houston, TX], 1970
Apollo 13 Mission-Used Main Display Console Panel Drawing & Group of Hand Plotted Graphs, Ex. NASA Engineer
Archive

An original diagram depicting the Apollo 13 Command Module main console panel, used to develop its power-up procedures prior to jettisoning the Lunar Module. 1p (front and back), ca. 1970. Unfolds to an impressive size of 11" x 45". Signed and dated at the far left by NASA electrical engineer Gary W. Johnson, with copious markings and annotations throughout. Exhibits scattered age toning and surface creasing from evident use; minor paper loss to upper left corner. Otherwise, very good with fantastic provenance. Accompanied by a full description from Johnson on the development of these procedures and graphs.

Together with 5 graphs plotted for the investigation into the Service Module's explosion, several with extensive notations. These include:

- Plot of CM entry battery current after the oxygen tank explosion

- Plot of total fuel cell current (showing the short causing the tank to explode)

- Plot of total CM & SM current before the tank explosion

- Strip chart of CM current after the tank explosion

- Strip chart of CM battery current after the tank explosion

Having already worked on NASA's preceding Apollo missions, Johnson was assigned to the Power Distribution and Sequencing position for the Apollo 13 CM, where he played an integral role in developing its power up procedures prior to reentry. Realizing that power would need to be transferred from the LM to the CSM in order to charge its batteries, Johnson and other engineers worked to develop those procedures. After these were established, he took his CM main display console panel drawing and marked the necessary position of each switch and circuit breaker, colored in red if closed and blue if open. Switch positions were indicated by a red arrow. The information indicated on the console panel drawing was provided to the flight control team, who converted the information to a checklist later read to the crew.

After the mission, Johnson was involved in NASA's investigation to determine the cause of the Service Module Oxygen Tank explosion. The official review board eventually concluded that Teflon insulation present in the Tank allowed the surrounding wires to short circuit, thus starting a fire which caused the oxygen valves to fail. In recognition of his efforts during the emergency, as well as in establishing a new set of procedures that brought the astronauts home, Johnson was awarded the Manned Space Center's Superior Achievement Award in December 1970.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

#SpaceAstronaut

  • Dimensions: 10" x 11.75" (folded)
  • Medium: Archive

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000