Description:

Apollo Missions
n.p., ca. 1960s
Apollo-Era Strobe Light Used in Boilerplate Field Testing w/ NASA Staff Provenance!
Relic
An Apollo-era strobe light utilized in "boilerplate" water recovery field test operations. The boilerplate was a metal model duplicating the size, weight, shape, and center-of-gravity of a manned Apollo Command Module. The cylindrical orange shaft measures 6" in length with a diameter of 1.5". Attached is an approximately 8' cord which hooked up to the boilerplate apparatus. Featuring an adhesive label at the light's base, with contract number "NASA 79997". Exhibits moderate surface wear and scattered residue to orange shaft and cord. Otherwise, good condition- an interesting relic of the Apollo program!

Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from retired chief of NASA's Flight Design and Dynamics Division Ron Epps. Reading in part:

"To the best of my knowledge, this strobe was utilized as a location aid on a 'boilerplate' and could also be attached to search and rescue swimmers and accompanying life rafts during these field test operations in Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. These water recovery exercises were conducted from the mid-to-late 1960's."

A boilerplate spacecraft, also known as a mass simulator, is a nonfunctional craft or payload that is used to test various configurations and basic characteristics of rocket launch vehicles. It is far less expensive to build multiple, non-functional boilerplate spacecrafts than it is to develop the full system. In this way, the boilerplate spacecraft allow components and aspects of cutting-edge aerospace projects to be tested while detailed contracts for the final project are being negotiated. These tests may be used to develop procedures for mating a spacecraft to its launch vehicle, emergency access and egress, maintenance support activities, and various transportation processes.

This lot 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.

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  • Provenance: Letter by Ron Epps.
  • Dimensions: 1.5" x 6"
  • Medium: Relic

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January 29, 2025 10:00 AM EST
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University Archives

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