[Apollo 11] EARTH'S CURVATURE OVER THE USA FOLLOWING TRANSLUNAR INJECTION Neil Armstrong, Buzz A...

[Apollo 11] EARTH'S CURVATURE OVER THE USA FOLLOWING TRANSLUNAR INJECTION Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, or Michael Collins, 16-24 July 1969 Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS11-36-5309]. With 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the reverse, numbered 'NASA AS11-36-5309' in red in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context Leaving Home—Apollo 11 in deep space looks back at Earth. This Apollo 11 photograph captures a breathtaking view of Earth shortly after Translunar Injection (TLI)—the critical manoeuvre that propelled the spacecraft from Earth's orbit toward the Moon. This moment occurred before the transposition and docking of the Command Module Columbia with the Lunar Module Eagle, and before the jettisoning of the expended S-IVB stage, which had completed its role in sending the crew on their historic journey. At this moment, the astronauts had truly left Earth's gravitational hold, symbolizing a point of no return on the way to the first Moon landing. 'The engine comes to life; you settle back in your seat; you feel the strong push of that rocket in your back—but in the dark you just can't see what's happening. There's no visual confirmation. The engine stops and you're floating again. You see a scimitar of light ahead—a sliver of daylight marking the dawn, and you are flying back into daylight. In a half minute, you are smothered in daylight—it's overwhelming. You are moving outward from Earth at ten times the speed of a rifle bullet, but you seem perfectly motionless. The horizon expands, revealing Australia to the right, Japan to the left. Then, suddenly, the entire planet Earth appears, exploding away into the inky black sky.' —Neil Armstrong (Hamish Lindsey, Tracking Apollo to the Moon, Springer, London, 2001). Footnotes: The Earth's curved horizon dominates the image, its thin atmosphere barely visible against the deep blackness of space, emphasizing the planet's fragility and isolation. North America is prominently featured, partially covered in clouds, revealing a striking mix of snow-capped regions, deserts, and lush greenery. The planet's slight tilt conveys a sense of movement, a reminder that Apollo 11 was rapidly departing home toward an unprecedented human achievement. From the mission transcript following trans Earth injection: 002:26:38 McCandless: Apollo 11, this is Houston. You are Go for TLI. Over. 002:26:45 Collins: Apollo 11. Thank you. [...] 002:44:19 Collins: Ignition. [Pause.] 002:44:22 Collins: Okay. 002:44:26 Armstrong: Whew! [...] 002:53:03 Armstrong: Hey, Houston, Apollo 11. That Saturn gave us a magnificent ride. Watch more CLICK HERE: Apollo 11 - For All Mankind (1969) For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing