579 a
Charles Duke

The Command Module Casper and the Earth both rising over the lunar horizon

Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972, orbit 13, 098:11:16 GET

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA AS16-113-18289” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin, with three filling holes in top margin

579 b
John Young or Charles Duke

The Command Module Casper station keeping in lunar orbit

Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972, orbit 14

Unreleased photograph, vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA AS16-113-18290” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin, with three filing holes in top margin

579 c
Charles Duke

The Command Module Casper orbiting the lunar farside

Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972, orbit 15

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA MSC caption and “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA AS16-118-18294” in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

579 c
Schick and Van Haaften, p. 118.

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Lot Essay

579 a
Duke took this fantastic photograph with the 60mm lens of the EVA Hasselblad from the LM Orion orbiting the Moon at an altitude of only 57 km. Lunar highlands east of Crater Saha are in the background.

579 b
This photograph was taken with the 60mm lens from the LM Orion after the two spacecrafts
rendezvoused over the farside between orbits 14 and 15 waiting for Mission Control’s decision of GO/NO GO for landing at the next acquisition of signal. The rising Sun highlights the bright CM Casper with the black sky of space in the background.

From the mission transcript as the two spacecrafts were flying in formation over the lunar farside:

101:29:39 Young (Orion): You know, if we do PDI (Powered Descent Initiation) from now, it will be a miracle.
101:29:47 Mattingly (Casper): I’m afraid you’re right. And here comes the Sun. Man, are you bright. [...]
101:30:55 Mattingly (Casper): Let’s wait until we get - get daylight on the whole spacecraft.
101:31:00 Duke (Orion): Oh, we ain’t got day - I got daylight on you.
101:31:02 Mattingly (Casper): You have? Okay. That’s a beautiful sight.

579 c
Duke took this remarkable photograph with the 60 mm lens as the two spacecrafts flying in formation had just crossed the farside terminator at an altitude of 99 km. The LM eventually descended to the lunar surface on the following revolution leaving Mattingly orbiting the Moon solo aboard the CSM Casper. The northwest rim of the 67-km Crater Valier is in the
background (bottom right). Most of the 20-km Crater Dufay (unnamed at the time of the mission) is in shadow at the top left. Latitude / longitude: 8.0°N 172.1° E.

That was “the most exhilarating thing in the world,” said Mattingly. “To be there, by yourself, totally responsible for this thing. Dead quiet. And this spectacular, unreal world. Nothing could be more exhilarating” (Chaikin, Voices, p. 105).

From the mission transcript as the two spacecrafts were flying in formation over the lunar farside:

101:41:17 Duke (Orion): That big chicken’s been over on this side again, Ken.
101:41:22 Mattingly (Casper): Yeah. That sure is a fascinating place down there. [Garble] good-size chicken, though.