This United States one dollar bill is a memento of Apollo 13. In April 1970, Apollo 13, which as intended to be the third human landing on the Moon, instead traveled around the Moon and back due to an explosion aboard the service module. As part of the official process of certifying the flight, before human spaceflights, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) had the astronauts or others autograph dollar bills, witnessed by the NAA official for the flight (who sometimes also signed the bill). The bills were then placed aboard the spacecraft. After the mission, recovering the identifiable bills served "as the basis for certification of the identity of the astronauts on each of the flights." Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert as well as three witnesses all signed the front of this bill.
In consultation with the NAA, the NASA Johnson Space Center transferred this bill to the National Air and Space Museum in 1976.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Miscellaneous
Manufacturer
U.S. Bureau of Engraving
Dimensions
3-D (One Dollar Bill): 15.6 × 6.5 × 0.1cm (6 1/8 × 2 9/16)
Storage: 20.3 × 11.4 × 2.5cm (8 × 4 1/2 × 1 in.)
Materials
Paper
Ink
Inventory Number
A19770449000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Aeronautics Association
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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