Auction Features First Bible on Moon, Spacesuits From the Stars and More

A Russian Soyuz Sokol KV-2 pressurized crew "rescue" suit that includes a helmet, gloves, boots, and slip-ons -- and was once used in a space mission -- is just one of the strange and surprising artifacts going on sale this month at <a href="http://www.rrauction.com" target="_blank">RR Auction</a>. (RR Auction)

Neil Armstrong’s Apollo training glove Part of the A7L suit -- the primary pressure suit for the Apollo missions -- was precisely molded for the hand of the first moonwalker. Going on auction is this mock-up made prior to launch. Designed to withstand the rigors of travel in space, the modern materials used in such artifacts have deteriorated over the years, making this relatively well-kept one rare. (RR Auction)

Tag for Armstrong's training glove A tag clearly identifies the glove, manufactured for NASA by the International Latex Corp., as Neil Armstrong's. It was also model 008, implying that there were several other prototypes made. (RR Auction)

Letter home from first American in space Alan Shepard, the first American in space, hand-wrote this letter to his parents in his hometown of Derry N.H. about a briefing “on the plans for putting a man in space sometime during 1961.” (RR Auction)

Neil Armstrong on the first lunar words Even before Armstrong, Aldrin, and Michael Collins would lift off for the moon on Apollo 11, people wondered what the first words they would speak on the moon might be. The astronaut later explained that following a train of thought that he had had after launch and during six hours and 40 minutes after landing, he developed the now famous line, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.” (RR Auction)

The first lunar Bible A flight-flown intact microfilm King James Bible containing all 1,245 pages. The bible was produced by the Apollo Prayer League, a group of NASA engineers, scientists, administrators and astronauts, and headed by NASA chaplain Rev. John Stout, who worked closely with the astronauts and NASA personnel. It was then given to Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell, who brought it safely to the moon February 5, 1971, on board lunar module Anteres. (RR Auction)

Apollo guidance computer display and keyboard (DSKY) unit The instrument that allowed the astronauts to communicate directly with the on-board guidance computer. This piece of equipment was removed from the CM simulator at the Johnson Space Center and was used by every Apollo crew member -- including Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins. (RR Auction)

Apollo 11 space waste A sample of waste water taken from the Apollo 11 command module after its return to Earth. The item is a 2.5-inch tall bottle about one-quarter of the way full of the clear liquid. Apparently, the liquid is actually condensation formed as a result of the astronauts breathing. (RR Auction)