[Apollo 7] THE S-IVB STAGE AT ITS CLOSEST APPROACH, PANELS OPEN LIKE A FLOWER ABOVE EARTH Walter...

[Apollo 7] THE S-IVB STAGE AT ITS CLOSEST APPROACH, PANELS OPEN LIKE A FLOWER ABOVE EARTH Walter Cunningham, 11-22 October 1968 Printed 1968. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS7-3-1538]. With 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the reverse, numbered 'NASA AS7-3-1538' 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 This striking photograph captures the delicate beauty and precision of human-engineered spacecraft, moving at incredible speeds high above Earth. A major objective of Apollo 7 was to demonstrate orbital rendezvous techniques using the newly designed Command and Service Module—without the aid of radar—by approaching the second stage of their Saturn IB rocket (S-IVB) in orbit. Seen here at its closest approach as it orbited at an altitude of 125 miles over Texas, the Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) on the S-IVB's stage has opened like a flower, revealing a simulated docking target—the round, white disc inside the open petal-like panels—similar to the targets that would later guide astronauts during lunar docking operations. Describing the delicate manoeuvres, Apollo 7 pilot Donn Eisele later remarked that station-keeping in space was 'rather like one car overtaking another, but a car with very weak brakes and not much acceleration.' (Mason, p. 144) Footnotes: From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken: 003:09:18 Cunningham: There is quite a small type debris still inside the S-IVB. Is that Go? [Long pause.] 003:09:29 Stafford (Mission Control): Roger. Copied that. 003:09:31 Cunningham: Seems to be coming out. That's probably the vent. 003:09:38 Stafford: Okay. [Long pause.] 003:10:32 Cunningham: All the internal structure looks just fine. There is one set of cords that's running around - one set of cords running around that seems to be going to a panel that didn't open too far. 003:10:48 Stafford: Okay. Get some pictures. Watch more CLICK HERE: Apollo 7 - 16mm Onboard Film: Earth Looking Views of S-IVB For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing