[Apollo 17] — Lunar Surface Flown Lunar Rover Suspension System Schematic. Signed and inscribed by Gene Cernan

Originally from the Personal Collection of Apollo 17 Mission Commander Eugene Cernan

Apollo 17

LUNAR SURFACE FLOWN Lunar Rover "SUSPENSION SYSTEM" schematic, page 4-6 from the Apollo 17 LM Systems Data Manual. Part No. SKB32100127-385. S/N 1001. Houston, Texas: NASA/MSC, March 20, 1972

A large (32 1/2 x 10 1/4 in) folding schematic of the four-wheel independent suspension system of the Lunar Rover. SIGNED and INSCRIBED by Commander Gene Cernan: "Flown to the Lunar Surface in the Valley of Taurus Littrow / December 1972 / Gene Cernan / APOLLO XVII".MATTED, FRAMED, AND GLAZED TOGETHER WITH: Typed provenance letter signed by Gene Cernan, and 7 x 23^1/2 in. black & white photo of Cernan and the Lunar Rover on the lunar surface, SIGNED and INSCRIBED by Gene Cernan: "Gene Cernan / Apollo XVII". Framed dimensions: 30 x 39 in.

Cernan's provenance letter reads, in part: "I certify that this schematic drawing from Apollo 17 was flown to the surface of the moon aboard the Lunar Module Challenger, when we landed in the valley of Taurus-Littrow on December 11, 1972, the last lunar landing of Apollo. It was part of the LM Systems Data Manual we carried along for troubleshooting and reference for the many electrical and and mechanical systems that made up our lunar landing spacecraft, spacesuits, and Lunar Roving Vehicle. The LM Systems Data manual is made up of 38 of these detailed schematic drawings, all index tabbed by subject and accordion-folded to fit into the manual. It is a simple, three-ringed loose-leaf booklet. It was manifested as part# SKB32100127-385 and serial #1001."

LITERATURE

NASA. Apollo 17 Stowage List. Mission J-3 CM-114/LM-12. Houston: Manned Spacecraft Center, December 12, 1972, page 51