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Lot 237
[Apollo 11] NEIL ARMSTRONG FLOATING WITH THE TV CAMERA IN THE TUNNEL CONNECTING LM EAGLE AND CSM COLUMBIA EN ROUTE TO THE MOON NASA, 16-24 July 1969
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue HocheSold for €512 inc. premium
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[Apollo 11] NEIL ARMSTRONG FLOATING WITH THE TV CAMERA IN THE TUNNEL CONNECTING LM EAGLE AND CSM COLUMBIA EN ROUTE TO THE MOON
NASA, 16-24 July 1969
Printed 1969.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image NASA AS11-36-5385].
Numbered "NASA AS11-36-5385" in red in the top margin, with "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
A pivotal phase of Apollo 11—the first in-space transfer of astronauts between Columbia and Eagle, preparing for humanity's first Moon landing.
This exceptionally rare photograph of Neil Armstrong en route to the Moon was not published after the mission. Captured by Michael Collins from the Command Module Columbia, the image looks up through the docking tunnel toward the Lunar Module Eagle. Armstrong is seen floating weightlessly, holding the Westinghouse colour TV camera as he films Buzz Aldrin, who was inside the LM for an inspection. Commenting on his unusual filming position, Armstrong quipped, "That'll be the most unusual position a cameraman's ever had—hanging by his toes from a tunnel and taking the picture upside down."
Amid this exchange, Charles Duke in Mission Control asked if Collins—whose task was to pilot the Command Module during Armstrong and Aldrin's landing—was planning to enter Eagle for a look around. Armstrong casually responded, "We're willing to let him go, but he hasn't come up with the price of the ticket yet." (See mission transcript.)
Printed 1969.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image NASA AS11-36-5385].
Numbered "NASA AS11-36-5385" in red in the top margin, with "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
A pivotal phase of Apollo 11—the first in-space transfer of astronauts between Columbia and Eagle, preparing for humanity's first Moon landing.
This exceptionally rare photograph of Neil Armstrong en route to the Moon was not published after the mission. Captured by Michael Collins from the Command Module Columbia, the image looks up through the docking tunnel toward the Lunar Module Eagle. Armstrong is seen floating weightlessly, holding the Westinghouse colour TV camera as he films Buzz Aldrin, who was inside the LM for an inspection. Commenting on his unusual filming position, Armstrong quipped, "That'll be the most unusual position a cameraman's ever had—hanging by his toes from a tunnel and taking the picture upside down."
Amid this exchange, Charles Duke in Mission Control asked if Collins—whose task was to pilot the Command Module during Armstrong and Aldrin's landing—was planning to enter Eagle for a look around. Armstrong casually responded, "We're willing to let him go, but he hasn't come up with the price of the ticket yet." (See mission transcript.)
Footnotes
The perspective of this photograph is unique—Collins' viewpoint from within the Command Module provides an intimate look at the astronauts working in microgravity, emphasizing the confined quarters and the complexity of their tasks. The curvature of the tunnel and Armstrong's posture illustrate the weightless environment, where the astronauts manoeuvred by pushing off surfaces rather than walking.
This image highlights the challenges of early space cinematography. As described in the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal (ALSJ), the attached TV monitor on Armstrong's camera was a response to previous complaints by astronauts who struggled to aim cameras inside their cramped spacecraft without feedback. The monitor allowed for better framing of video footage.
From the mission transcript when the photograph was taken:
056:26:39 Public Affairs Officer (Mission Control): We've been receiving television now from the spacecraft for about an hour and 20 minutes. Apollo 11 presently 177,000 miles from Earth.
056:30:48 Duke (Mission Control): 11, that's real good camera work.
056:31:06 Armstrong: That'll be the most unusual position a cameraman's ever had—hanging by his toes from a tunnel and taking the picture upside down.
056:31:17 Duke: Roger. Well, you're doing a super job.
056:37:01 Aldrin: Like old home week, Charlie, to get back in the LM again.
056:37:04 Duke: Rog. I can imagine.
056:37:24 Aldrin: The traverse from the bottom of the LM to the aft bulkhead of the Command Module must be about, oh, 16 to 20 feet. It's not a disorienting one at all, but it's most interesting to contemplate just pushing off from one and bounding on into the other vehicle all the way through the tunnel.
056:37:44 Duke: Rog. Must be some experience. Is Collins going to go in and look around?
056:37:56 Armstrong: We're willing to let him go, but he hasn't come up with the price of the ticket yet.
Watch more
CLICK HERE: Apollo 11 TV transmission - 055:09:00 GET