a significant artifact with mission notes recorded after man's first exploration of the lunar surface.
A Typed Letter Signed by Buzz Aldrin reads in part: "This sheet lists procedures and steps required to enable Neil Armstrong and I to leave the lunar surface after our historic surface exploration. Side SUR-56 as the continuation of steps to perform star sightings to align our navigational equipment. This was critical to insure a safe rendezvous with Michael Collins and 'Columbia' in lunar orbit. Along the bottom of this side I wrote after the mission: 'Used by Neil and myself while on the lunar surface' and signed my name with 'Apollo XI.'
"Side SUR-57 lists additional steps for our navigational platform alignment. I wrote the updated value of '33500' which was radioed to me from Mission Control about one hour before lunar lift-off. Prior to entering that number I had checked off two of the 16mm camera steps and recorded the LM Consumables Update data of '123:00' for the Ground Elapsed Time, '78%' and '76%' for our Reaction Control System propellants, and '62%' for the DESC (Descent Stage) oxygen value. I then recorded the amount of DESC A-H (Ampere Hours) of '590 rem' (remaining) and ASC (Ascent Stage) A-H of '574 rem.' Those values were the amount of power left in our LM batteries.
"The checklist for lunar surface activities was a vital document to the success of our mission. It provided information on steps required to operate equipment associated with the first lunar landing. This sheet has been in my private collection since 1969. I have written on side SUR-57: 'Notes made by myself while on the lunar surface' and signed it along the bottom of that page."