Lot 16
FLOWN ON SOYUZ 9—AN EXHAUSTIVE MANUSCRIPT ON LIFE IN SPACE "БОРТОВОЙ ЖУРНАЛ КОСМИЧЕСКОГО КОРАБЛЯ «СОЮЗ-9» [Trans: On-Board Flight Journal for Spacecraft Soyuz-9, 1970].
20 July 2016, 13:00 EDT
New YorkUS$6,000 - US$9,000
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FLOWN ON SOYUZ 9—AN EXHAUSTIVE MANUSCRIPT ON LIFE IN SPACE
"БОРТОВОЙ ЖУРНАЛ КОСМИЧЕСКОГО КОРАБЛЯ «СОЮЗ-9» [Trans: On-Board Flight Journal for Spacecraft Soyuz-9, 1970].
9¼ x 7 inch log-book, over 400 pp (3-247, 249-502, 600-639) in black, blue, red, orange, purple, and green ink on graph paper, including 11 unnumbered pp with manuscript annotations, and 9 blanks. Bound with three rings into blue textured-cloth covers with the arms and cipher of the USSR to upper cover.
PROVENANCE: Cosmonaut Andrian G. Nicolaev; Sotheby's Russian Space History, 1996, lot 161.
AN EXHAUSTIVE, HIGHLY DETAILED MANUSCRIPT ON LIFE IN SPACE.
Written while weightless in orbit on the record setting voyage of the Soyuz-9, the log begins with 200 pages giving an orbit by orbit account of activities. Each orbital account begins with a chart divided into 10 minute segments, with shading indicating night and day-time, and provides details on the activities planned. Some of the detailed notes include: A description of the moon (orbit 48); notes on experiments being conducted, including a drawing of a battery showing the results of a mercury experiment (orbit 65); A description of how a floating particle of debris flew into the eye of Nikolaev and "caused a sharp pain" until Sevastyanov wiped it away (orbit 159); The cosmonauts being congratulated on setting a new world record for space flight distance and duration (orbit 252); details on the descent, with a dotted line indicating "separation," "atmospheric entry," "parachute," and "landing" (orbit 287). Following the orbital log are tables completed in space, as well as printed operational instructions. This section is followed by several un-numbered pages which record radio transmissions received while in space, including one from NEIL ARMSTRONG :"June 2, 1970, 17:30. 'Best wishes to the crew of Soyuz 9. Success to your mission and good landing.' American Cosmonaut Neil Armstrong." There are also several pages of miscellaneous notes which give a picture of conditions in the spacecraft, including "Soft urine receptacles are not convenient," "Forks and can openers should be tied by separate strings so they don't get tangled," "Canned meat tastes good and we eat it with gusto," "Cottage cheese paste should be more liquid." Also included are equipment inventories, control manuals, details on emergency procedures and explanations of medical equipment and the waste system, as well as observations on celestial navigation, optical effects, and a very detailed record of all food and drink consumed while on board. A series of unnumbered pages containing psychological questions, including inquiries on dreams is followed by reports on photographic experiments.
A handwritten provenance letter in Russian by Nicolaev reads [trans]: "LOG BOOK KK SOYUZ #9. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL LOG BOOK OF THE SHUTTLE SOYUZ 9, PILOTED BY CHIEF OF AIR SHUTTLE COSMONAUT OF THE USSR A.G. NICOLAEV, AND COSMONAUT RESEARCHER, V.E. SEVASTIANOV ... JUNE 1 THROUGH JUNE 19, 1970."
9¼ x 7 inch log-book, over 400 pp (3-247, 249-502, 600-639) in black, blue, red, orange, purple, and green ink on graph paper, including 11 unnumbered pp with manuscript annotations, and 9 blanks. Bound with three rings into blue textured-cloth covers with the arms and cipher of the USSR to upper cover.
PROVENANCE: Cosmonaut Andrian G. Nicolaev; Sotheby's Russian Space History, 1996, lot 161.
AN EXHAUSTIVE, HIGHLY DETAILED MANUSCRIPT ON LIFE IN SPACE.
Written while weightless in orbit on the record setting voyage of the Soyuz-9, the log begins with 200 pages giving an orbit by orbit account of activities. Each orbital account begins with a chart divided into 10 minute segments, with shading indicating night and day-time, and provides details on the activities planned. Some of the detailed notes include: A description of the moon (orbit 48); notes on experiments being conducted, including a drawing of a battery showing the results of a mercury experiment (orbit 65); A description of how a floating particle of debris flew into the eye of Nikolaev and "caused a sharp pain" until Sevastyanov wiped it away (orbit 159); The cosmonauts being congratulated on setting a new world record for space flight distance and duration (orbit 252); details on the descent, with a dotted line indicating "separation," "atmospheric entry," "parachute," and "landing" (orbit 287). Following the orbital log are tables completed in space, as well as printed operational instructions. This section is followed by several un-numbered pages which record radio transmissions received while in space, including one from NEIL ARMSTRONG :"June 2, 1970, 17:30. 'Best wishes to the crew of Soyuz 9. Success to your mission and good landing.' American Cosmonaut Neil Armstrong." There are also several pages of miscellaneous notes which give a picture of conditions in the spacecraft, including "Soft urine receptacles are not convenient," "Forks and can openers should be tied by separate strings so they don't get tangled," "Canned meat tastes good and we eat it with gusto," "Cottage cheese paste should be more liquid." Also included are equipment inventories, control manuals, details on emergency procedures and explanations of medical equipment and the waste system, as well as observations on celestial navigation, optical effects, and a very detailed record of all food and drink consumed while on board. A series of unnumbered pages containing psychological questions, including inquiries on dreams is followed by reports on photographic experiments.
A handwritten provenance letter in Russian by Nicolaev reads [trans]: "LOG BOOK KK SOYUZ #9. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL LOG BOOK OF THE SHUTTLE SOYUZ 9, PILOTED BY CHIEF OF AIR SHUTTLE COSMONAUT OF THE USSR A.G. NICOLAEV, AND COSMONAUT RESEARCHER, V.E. SEVASTIANOV ... JUNE 1 THROUGH JUNE 19, 1970."