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APOLLO 10 PHOTO: FINAL VIEW OF \'SNOOPY\' ASCENT STAGE · MOON ORBIT · NASA
VINTAGE GELATIN SILVER PRINT · PHOTO AS10-34-5112 · TAKEN BY JOHN YOUNG FROM CM
NASA / Apollo 10 Mission. Final image of Snoopy’s ascent stage as seen from Charlie Brown. May 1969. Vintage gelatin silver press photograph, 20.5 × 25.5 cm.
Physical Description
- Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper.
- Size: 20.5 × 25.5 cm (8 × 10 inches).
- NASA Code: AS10-34-5112 (grayscale variant from colour original).
- Verso: Purple NASA mimeograph caption; no watermarking.
- Date:May 1969.
Condition Report
- Surface: Clean image with superb detail and contrast.
- Edges: Minor handling creases only; no tears or folds.
- Overall: Near Fine vintage condition.
About the Image
This haunting photograph captures the ascent stage of the Apollo 10 Lunar Module, \'Snoopy\', just after it rejoined orbit following its descent rehearsal to within 50,000 feet of the Moon\'s surface. It was taken from the Command Module \'Charlie Brown\' by astronaut John Young, moments before Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan re-docked with the CM.
Released by NASA in May 1969 as part of the official press image set, this grayscale print gives the spacecraft an otherworldly quality as it floats above the desolate lunar terrain. Unique among Apollo missions, the ascent stage of \'Snoopy\' was sent on a heliocentric orbit after use, rather than being crashed into the Moon—making it the only once-crewed spacecraft still drifting through deep space.
Historical Background
Apollo 10 served as the full dress rehearsal for Apollo 11, conducting every phase of the mission—except for the final lunar landing. It featured the first crewed flight of a complete Apollo spacecraft in lunar orbit. The crew tested descent procedures down to the altitude from which a landing would begin. As Stafford and Cernan prepared to jettison Snoopy\'s descent stage, a control error caused a frightening tumble—quickly brought under control—before successful docking.
In 2019, UK astronomers announced a probable rediscovery of \'Snoopy\' in heliocentric orbit, identifying it with asteroid 2018 AV2. If confirmed, this would be the only surviving crew-rated Apollo lunar hardware still intact in space.
Why Collect This Photo?
- Evocative final view of Snoopy—Apollo’s phantom lunar module.
- Striking composition: manmade craft adrift above alien craters.
- Vintage NASA press release photo from May 1969.
- Rare grayscale variant of a famous colour image (AS10-34-5112).
- Significant artefact of Apollo’s pre-landing phase.
A powerful, poetic photograph that marks the climax of Apollo 10—and captures the strange silence of a spacecraft that will never return home.
Terms & Information
- Shipping: Tracked & fully insured worldwide (Royal Mail, UPS or Parcelforce).
- Payment: PayPal, major credit/debit cards, Apple/Google Pay, bank transfer.
- Returns: 30-day return policy; buyer pays tracked return postage.
- Customs: Overseas buyers are responsible for local duties & taxes.
