The joystick that former NASA astronaut Dave Scott used during the Apollo 15 mission sold for $610,063 in the 7th Space and Aviation Autograph and Artifact Auction.
RR Auction conducted the online bidding and stated that this could be the highest amount paid for a NASA memorabilia. The joystick was once a part of the cabin interior of the Lunar Module Falcon. Commander Scott reportedly used the hand controller to safely land in the moon and to return to Earth.
The hand controller was awarded to an anonymous bidder.
The purchase came with a two-page letter verifying the authenticity of the hand controller. It measures 4 inches by 10.5 inches by 7 inches and is still in good condition. Most of the hand controller's parts are still intact, including the communication trigger switch and the screw that was used to attach it to the cabin interior.
"There are space artifacts that need to be explained as to their original use, and then there are items like the Apollo 15 rotational hand controller that simply upon sight are self-evident as to their purpose," , editor and founder of space history websiteCollectSpace.com, Robert Pearlman told CNET.
There were other personal items of Commander Scott were sold in the auction. A lunar module equipment got sold for $126, 179; an Apollo 11 Robbins Medal engraved with the names of Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong got sold for $38,069.
The auction also sold a nylon glove once worn by Buzz Aldrin during his first arrival to the moon and a backpack strap from Charles Conrad's Personal Life Support System. Additionally, someone also bought an American flag that reached the moon aboard the Apollo 13 in 1970. Earlier this year, the only camera which was brought to the moon and back was sold in a private auction for $908,000.
