posted 08-24-2010 09:48 AM               

Astronauts Launch Artifacts for Space Auction to Benefit Students

Where on Earth can the average person get their hands on genuine space artifacts, rack up authentic astronaut autographs or even spend time with legendary moonwalkers? The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's (ASF) 2010 Fall Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia Semi-Annual Auction has all this and more. The online catalog of 50 extraordinary space lots debuted today and bidder registration is now open.

More than 60 space icons have joined forces to offer incredible experiences, personal memorabilia and autographed items all in the name of charity. Shoot for the moon with a Swiss flag flown aboard Apollo 15, tune into space jams with cassette tapes played aboard America‚s first space station, Skylab 4, or head out to launch with moonwalker Edgar Mitchell to view a Space Shuttle liftoff. With such a stellar auction line-up, the non-profit ASF isn't letting any space go to waste.

Online bidding begins September 16, 2010 and concludes September 25 at 5 p.m. EDT during the Autographica show in Heathrow, England, where in-person bidding will also be available. Before bidding, auction-goers must secure a virtual paddle number. Winning bids, over fair market value, should be considered a charitable donation.

Auction proceeds go directly to support the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science, engineering and technology by providing scholarships for college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in these fields. Today, more than 80 astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs have joined in this educational endeavor and in all, have disbursed more than $3 million to students nationwide.

posted 09-08-2010 09:40 AM            

The catalog is open so you can get a jump on the competition and preview all 50 amazing space artifacts and astronaut experiences.

Be sure to check back often for updated items and new photographs. We just upped the ante on Lot 6, adding two more signed original documents from the famed Mercury 7 Press Conference in 1959.

posted 09-14-2010 11:07 AM            

If you don't have your virtual paddle number already, what are you waiting for?!

posted 09-16-2010 08:25 AM            

History for Sale in Charity Space Auction

Now available online, over 50 years of America's history in space is now up for grabs in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's (ASF) 2010 Fall Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia Semi-Annual Auction.

The online auction gives fans the chance to collect genuine space relics, signed NASA astronaut portraits and even items that have been flown to the moon! Spotlighted among the 50 lots are a vintage 1969 LIFE magazine signed by Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, a NASA training flight suit worn by Space Shuttle astronaut David Leestma and an American flag that went to the moon!

Along with the rare treasures being offered, astronauts have also volunteered their time for one-on-one experiences with winners. Such experiences include scuba diving with Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter to an underwater hotel; viewing a space shuttle launch with Shuttle astronaut Edgar Mitchell and attending the 2011 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction as Apollo astronaut Walt Cunningham's personal guest.

"The auction is a great way for us astronauts to support the foundation and such a worthy cause," said Apollo astronaut and ASF Chairman Al Worden. "The proceeds from the artifacts we donate today help pave the way for the innovators of tomorrow!"

Online bidding is now open through September 25 at 5 p.m. EDT. Auction-goers must secure a virtual paddle number prior to bidding. Winning bids, over fair market value, should be considered a charitable donation.

The Fall Auction is one of three charity auctions the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation holds annually. The 8th Annual Auction, ASF's biggest of the three, will debut its catalog online on October 7, 2010.

Auction proceeds go directly to support the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing scholarships to college students who exhibit motivation, imagination and exceptional performance in these fields. Today, more than 80 astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs have joined in this educational endeavor and have disbursed more than $3 million to students nationwide.

posted 09-26-2010 02:15 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by TRS:
Lot 15 - WOW! I know it had astronaut provenance but that's a lot of money for one of these!

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I think you have to look at that as a $1200+ donation to charity, which is effectively how you should judge all the prices in such auctions.

posted 09-26-2010 03:12 AM            

I applaud the ASF... way to go!

I won one of these Apollo 11 medallions on eBay, several years ago, in mint condition for $1.50 plus cheap postage. No astronaut COA of course but who cares.