A Soviet flag that was taken to the Moon has been sold at an auction… (флаг · луна · советский)
A Soviet flag that was taken to the Moon has been sold at an auction in the US. In the spirit of diplomacy, Buzz Aldrin took not only the American flag but also the Texas state flag and his home state of New Jersey's flag with him,
Consensus
- The Soviet Union flag that flew to the Moon on Apollo 11 was sold at a Sotheby's auction.
- The sale took place on July 15, 2024.
- The flag was brought aboard the Apollo 11 command module Columbia by astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
- The flag was sold for $80,000.
- Aldrin included the Soviet flag as a diplomatic gesture to symbolize international cooperation and humanity's shared achievement in landing on the Moon.
Points of divergence
- The flag was part of Aldrin’s personal kit and taken aboard the Apollo 11 mission as a diplomatic gesture to emphasize that the lunar landing was a global achievement. — vesti
- Aldrin included the Soviet flag alongside American, Texas, and New Jersey state flags during the Apollo 11 mission. The flag has a handwritten inscription in blue ink: 'FLOWN TO THE MOON ON APOLLO XI' by Aldrin. A typed letter signed by Aldrin confirms its journey to the Moon and states that the choice was a gesture of goodwill between the U.S. and USSR, emphasizing that Apollo 11 represented humanity’s achievement beyond national borders. — fontanka
Coverage (2 sources)
- Soviet flag that visited the Moon sold at auction in the US — Вести
- USSR Flag Sold at Sotheby's Auction After Moon Landing — Фонтанка