Apollo 17 Checklist to Auction for Over $400,000
The moon-flown checklist features handwritten repair notes from Gene Cernan and is set for sale on October 22, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Space
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An Apollo 17 lunar surface-used checklist, complete with lunar dust and handwritten emergency repair instructions, is headed to auction. The sale, conducted by RR Auction, is scheduled to close on October 22, 2026.
Why it matters
The checklist is a unique piece of spaceflight history, detailing how astronauts managed equipment failures on the moon. It contains specific improvisations for repairing a damaged lunar rover mudguard during the 1972 mission.
The spiral-bound booklet measures 3.5 by 2.5 inches and contains 25 double-sided leaves. It was verified by Gene Cernan in 2013 and retains physical traces of actual lunar dust from the 1972 mission.
The players
Gene Cernan
He was an American astronaut who served as the commander of Apollo 17 and was the last person to walk on the moon.
RR Auction
This is a Boston-based auction house that specializes in rare collectibles and historical memorabilia.
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.
The details
The checklist was worn on the wrist of Gene Cernan during the Apollo 17 moonwalk to navigate procedures and lunar maps. It notably includes the original handwritten notes used to facilitate a critical repair of the lunar rover after its right rear mudguard was lost.
Timeline
December 1972: Gene Cernan used the checklist during the Apollo 17 moonwalk.
1973: NASA returned the checklist to Gene Cernan.
December 31, 2013: Gene Cernan signed a letter confirming the history of the checklist.
October 22, 2026: The RR Auction sale for the item closes.
The Big Picture
This artifact documents the mechanical ingenuity displayed during the Apollo 17 lunar rover mudguard repair, a defining moment in orbital mission troubleshooting. It preserves the primary evidence of how astronauts overcame equipment failure in a vacuum environment.
Collectors and space enthusiasts now have the opportunity to acquire a certified piece of moon-flown equipment. The item provides direct insight into the technical constraints and rapid problem-solving required during the Apollo era.
The takeaway
Historical space artifacts like this checklist offer a rare glimpse into the intense manual operations performed on the lunar surface. Prospective collectors should monitor the auction's final hours to track the market value of mission-used technical documents.
What happens next
The auction for the lunar checklist will reach its conclusion on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the history of human space exploration, visit the Space archive.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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