posted 07-06-2009 09:51 PM               

He claimed that the AG-7 ink pen was used to push in the bi-metallic strip of the breaker assembly, thus "saving" two of the Apollo 11 crew from being stranded on the moon.

In fact, it was stated by the crew following the flight, and years later confirmed by Aldrin that he used the black felt-tip marker, made by the Duro company, to punch in the remains of the breaker.

Today, Fisher AG-7's are readily available, but vintage models usually fetch higher prices. The Duro markers, however, are long out of production and very scarce. While the company made an attempt to market them as "used by the Apollo astronauts," the claim never quite caught on like it did for Fisher.

posted 07-23-2009 08:53 AM               

For example, the outer knob of an ascent engine-arming circuit breaker broke off, which Buzz was able to depress prior to liftoff with a felt-tipped pen.

But they still had their Space Pens, and so were advised to retract the point and use the hollow end of the pen to activate the inside switch. Aldrin then used his Space Pen to flick the switch, lifting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin safely to the moon.

[In his book, "Men from Earth" Buzz elaborates, "We discovered during a long checklist recitation that the ascent engine's arming circuit breaker was broken off on the panel. The little plastic pin (or knob) simply wasn't there. This circuit would send electrical power to the engine that would lift us off the moon... We looked around for something to punch in this circuit breaker. Luckily, a felt-tipped pen fit into the slot."]

posted 07-23-2009 08:57 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by perssj:
I guess than it was a felt tip pen...

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posted 07-25-2009 03:09 PM            

While the walk was in progress, they designed a work around using redundant wiring and switchgear to bypass the broken switch, and that this was how the problem was solved. He painted it as a vindication of the decision to include multiple wiring circuits in the LM control system.

I wonder if there were two broken breakers. The only other thing that makes sense to me is that they did in fact send up the instructions to work around the broken breaker, but that at the last moment Buzz, perhaps forgetting they had done so, jammed in the pen, thus creating in his own mind the memory of solving the problem this way.

posted 07-27-2009 01:22 AM            

A copy of the 30th Anniversary Celebration Program includes a mission summary, which states that the post-EVA current draw for the LM was 2 amps greater than expected, and investigating this led to the discovery that Buzz had pressed several breakers and broken one.

I can find no mention in the Journal of any extraordinary procedures sent to the LM to bypass the switch just that it is closed and ready for the ascent.

posted 04-19-2011 09:05 PM               

The evening of the breaking of the push-pull operating button, several techs were called into the Lab to determine how to safely reset the breaker. Once the breaker was reset they would not be able to reopen it without the pull button so they didn't want to reset until it was needed for the assent.

We proceeded by breaking several breakers in the same manor as had occurred on the moon. We quickly determined the breakers could be reset by pressing in on the broken end of the button shaft with anything that would fit without affecting the calibration or normal function of the breaker.

posted 08-18-2011 05:22 PM            

Do not believe Craig Nelson's account in his 2009 book "Rocket Men" (do not believe much of anything in this train wreck of a book) in which he implies Aldrin used the pen to push in the circuit breaker at the moment of lunar liftoff.

This is not true.

No less an expert than Eric Jones (of Apollo Lunar Surface Journal fame) informed me that Aldrin used the pen about two hours before liftoff.

posted 08-22-2011 02:19 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by tfrielin:
Tom Kelly's account that they re-routed the electrical signals to by-pass the circuit breaker is correct — Eagle was going to liftoff the moon with or without Aldrin's pen.

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Personally, I think that Kelly's story rings true, and the redundant circuitry would be the first and obvious choice — think about it — that's exactly what the redundant circuits were laced there for, and sticking a pen into a broken component controlling the only engine that can get them home is not the logical and safe way to get out of this problem.

posted 08-23-2011 10:35 PM               

Buzz also confirmed it in "The Wonder of it All."

posted 03-25-2017 06:12 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave Clow:
...he said it was the pen and the broken switch.

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Buzz Aldrin let me hold the broken circuit breaker and the pen from Apollo 11.

And from Buzz Aldrin:

Telling my story about the pen and circuit breaker and the engine circuit before liftoff on Apollo 11 for my documentary.