Flown status is most reliably found through documentation with part numbers and serial numbers. In this case, however,
comparison of the artifact with NASA photos was used.
Below are photos of the artifact and a NASA photo of the LM COAS flown on
Apollo 9. The NASA photo, taken February 17, 1969 in preparation for the Countdown Demonstration Test (CDDT), was not sufficiently clear to distinguish the very small serial numbers on the COAS,
although the label is plainly visible. (The artifact part number is known to be the same as the flown COAS.)
In comparing these photos, especially noteworthy are: 1) the positioning of the barrel labels; 2) the inclusion of a
small discoloration on the left side of the L on the “LW” label; 3) the arrangement of the white part number and serial number stampings on the side of the light dimmer control housing
(at left); and 4) the pattern of discoloration on the barrel of the unit.
Comparison with NASA photos of two other LM COAS units confirms the variability of the unit markings and other characteristics, showing that the match described here is significant. To the left below is the Apollo 12 (LM-6) COAS. This unit is a -0021 version of the COAS. To the right is a -0009 unit, just as the LM-3 artifact. It is shown in preparation for a fit check in LM-5 (Apollo 11) on February 6, 1969.
On many Apollo flights the mission commander removed the LM COAS and kept it as a memento before the LM was discarded
during the mission. Apollo 9 was unique because NASA requested return of the COAS to investigate a mission anomaly (commander unable to see the COAS reticle during docking - see Apollo 9 Mission
Report, section 17.3.3).
The internal filter of this unit reduced the brightness of the reticle from 1000 foot-Lamberts (ft-L) to less than 90
ft-L. Making the filter external on later units restored the original brightness (ref Apollo Experience Report Vol. 5 Lighting Considerations).
The artifact bears a few markings put on by hand. These include an arrow and letter “B” on the dimmer
module, and two detent lines on the fixed part of the barrel. The “B” and arrow show the dial movement for “bright.” These markings, not seen in the CDDT photo, were most
likely added by the mission commander, Jim McDivitt, during the flight. (When contacted in 2004, McDivitt understandably had no recollection of making these markings, or of the LM COAS being
returned. The other crew members, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart, in 2005 also could not recall the return of the LM COAS - a very small event in a very large mission.)
The artifact was acquired through the Spring 2004 auction of Aurora Galleries.
