When Small Objects Make History
When we think of the Apollo 11 mission, certain images immediately come to mind: Neil Armstrong descending the ladder of the Eagle lunar module, his first footprint on the lunar surface, and his famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” While these iconic moments rightfully dominate our collective memory of humanity’s greatest adventure, there’s an incredible backstory that few people know—how a simple felt-tip pen averted disaster and potentially saved the lives of the Apollo 11 astronauts.
July 20, 1969, marked humanity’s triumphant arrival on another world, but the mission came perilously close to ending in tragedy. After completing their historic moonwalk, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin faced a heart-stopping challenge inside the lunar module that could have left them stranded 238,900 miles from home. This is the story of quick thinking, engineering ingenuity, and how an ordinary writing instrument became an extraordinary tool of survival.
The Critical Moment: A Broken Switch and a Looming Crisis
After making history with their moonwalk, Armstrong and Aldrin returned to the cramped confines of the lunar module Eagle to prepare for their ascent back to the command module Columbia, where Michael Collins awaited. The two astronauts were following meticulous procedures to ensure their safe departure from the lunar surface when Buzz Aldrin noticed something alarming on the floor of the module.
A small black plastic object lay on the dusty floor. Upon closer inspection, Aldrin recognized it with immediate concern—it was the broken-off knob of a circuit breaker switch. Not just any switch, but the engine arm circuit breaker, the vital control that would send electrical power to the ascent engine. Without this switch, the very engine needed to lift them off the lunar surface and begin their journey home might not ignite.
Understanding the Engine Arm Circuit Breaker
The engine arm circuit breaker played a critical role in the lunar module’s ascent sequence. It was essentially the switch that armed the ascent engine, providing the necessary electrical power to initiate the liftoff sequence. If this circuit remained open, the engine designed to propel them off the moon and into lunar orbit would not receive the command to fire.
The implications were stark: the two astronauts could be left stranded on the lunar surface, while Michael Collins would be forced to return to Earth alone—a contingency so grim that President Nixon had even prepared a speech in case the astronauts could not return.
How the Switch Broke
It is believed that the switch was accidentally broken during the mission preparations. According to the Apollo 11 Mission Report Anomaly Summary, the most probable cause was contact with the oxygen purge system on one of the astronauts’ bulky backpacks as they moved within the confined space of the lunar module.
This incident highlights the extreme vulnerability of space missions. The intricate systems of the lunar module were all interconnected, and the failure of a single, inch-long component could have had catastrophic consequences for the entire mission and the lives of the astronauts.
Buzz Aldrin’s Ingenious Solution
Faced with this critical situation, Buzz Aldrin, an engineer by training, quickly assessed the problem. He recognized that if they could somehow depress the underlying mechanism of the broken switch, they might be able to complete the circuit. However, with the small plastic knob snapped off, the recessed opening was too small for a finger to reach.
Using a metallic object risked creating an electrical short circuit, which could potentially worsen the situation. Aldrin needed a non-conductive tool that was thin enough to fit into the small opening.
The Humble Hero: A Felt-Tip Pen
Thinking fast, Aldrin recalled a felt-tipped pen in the shoulder pocket of his spacesuit—a Duro marker originally intended for writing notes on charts. The key advantage of this pen was its non-conductive plastic tip.
As Larry Sitten, customer service manager at Duro Pen Co. in 1969, explained, using a metal object could have shorted the entire electrical system of the lunar module, whereas the plastic tip of the Duro marker posed no such risk.
NASA had purchased several hundred of these black felt-tip markers from Duro Pen Co. for the Apollo 11 mission, recognizing their utility in the gravity-free environment of space. This seemingly minor procurement decision would prove crucial to the mission’s success.
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The Moment of Truth
With the ascent countdown procedure moved up by a couple of hours as a precaution, Aldrin carefully inserted the plastic tip of the Duro felt-tip pen into the small opening where the circuit breaker switch should have been. He pushed it in, and to the immense relief of everyone involved, the circuit breaker held, completing the electrical connection.
Years later, Aldrin recounted this pivotal moment, recalling Mission Control’s jubilant response: “‘Hooray, we got a live circuit!'” This simple yet ingenious act, born out of necessity and quick thinking, restored power to the ascent engine, effectively ensuring their liftoff from the moon and their safe return to Earth.
Mission Control’s Response
The broken switch was reported to Mission Control in Houston, where engineers worked feverishly to find a workaround. However, after a night of intense effort, they had not devised a solution by the following morning.
While some accounts suggest that ground control may have been exploring options to reroute power using redundant wiring, the immediate and practical solution came from Aldrin’s quick thinking on the lunar surface.
Buzz Aldrin himself acknowledged that had the felt-tip pen not worked, both the crew and Mission Control would have continued to explore other ways to close the circuit. The fact that a backup plan might have been in development underscores the safety-conscious nature of the Apollo program, yet it was the astronaut’s immediate action that resolved the crisis.
The Legacy of the Apollo 11 Pen
The Pen Behind the Legend
The felt-tip pen that played such a crucial role in the Apollo 11 mission was a black Duro “Rocket” marker. Today, this unassuming writing tool is a significant artifact of space history. It is reportedly part of the Apollo 11 display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, a testament to its extraordinary contribution to the mission’s success.
Interestingly, there is often confusion surrounding the type of pen used, with some believing it was the Fisher Space Pen. While the Fisher AG-7 pen was indeed on board Apollo 11 and was NASA-approved, it was the Duro felt-tip marker that Aldrin used to fix the broken circuit breaker.
Pens in Space: Separating Fact from Fiction
| Pen Type | Manufacturer | Role in Apollo 11 | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt-Tip Marker | Duro Pen Co. | Used by Buzz Aldrin to activate the broken engine arm circuit breaker | It was on board but not used for the circuit breaker fix |
| Space Pen (AG-7) | Fisher Space Pen Co. | Was on board but not used for the circuit breaker fix | The actual hero of the story, chosen for its non-conductive plastic tip |
This discrepancy highlights how different narratives can emerge around historical events, sometimes influenced by marketing efforts. Buzz Aldrin himself has been quoted as downplaying the Fisher pen’s role in this particular incident.
Historical Value and NASA’s Response
Both the broken circuit breaker switch and the felt-tip pen are now highly significant historical items, with the potential to fetch substantial sums at auction. In response to this close call, NASA implemented a simple yet effective fix for future missions: guards were placed over circuit breakers to prevent accidental damage.
The Duro Pen Co., recognizing the historical significance of their product, even re-released the marker under the name “Rocket QB2 Astronaut Marker,” capitalizing on its connection to the Apollo 11 mission.
Other Near-Disasters During Apollo 11
The circuit breaker incident wasn’t the only close call during the Apollo 11 mission. Several other accidents nearly derailed the historic moon landing:
Navigation and Landing Challenges
During the descent to the lunar surface, the Eagle’s computer became overloaded with data, triggering multiple alarms. This forced Armstrong to take partial manual control of the landing.
Additionally, the planned landing site turned out to be covered with boulders, requiring Armstrong to fly the lunar module further than planned to find a safe landing spot. By the time they touched down, they had less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining.
Communication Issues
Throughout the mission, there were several communications dropouts between the astronauts and Mission Control. While these weren’t catastrophic, they added tension to an already high-pressure situation.
These incidents, along with the broken circuit breaker, demonstrate the extraordinary challenges faced during the Apollo 11 mission and the remarkable skill and composure of the astronauts in overcoming them.
Lessons from Apollo 11: The Human Element in Space Exploration
The tale of the felt-tip pen that saved Apollo 11 is a remarkable reminder that even in the most technologically advanced endeavors, simple ingenuity and resourcefulness can be the difference between success and potential disaster.
The Value of Problem-Solving Skills
Buzz Aldrin’s quick thinking, grounded in his engineering knowledge, transformed an ordinary writing instrument into an unexpected hero of the space age. This incident underscores not only the inherent risks of space travel but also the extraordinary capabilities of the individuals who dared to venture beyond our planet.
Modern astronaut training heavily emphasizes problem-solving skills precisely because of experiences like these. When millions of miles from home, the ability to improvise with available resources can be lifesaving.
Appreciation for the “Small Things”
The humble felt-tip pen, a seemingly insignificant object, played a vital role in one of humanity’s greatest adventures, forever etching its place in space history. This serves as a powerful reminder that in complex systems, even the smallest components matter tremendously.
NASA’s subsequent missions incorporated numerous redundancies and backup systems, learning from close calls like the circuit breaker incident. Today’s space missions benefit from these hard-earned lessons of the Apollo era.
Conclusion: Small Objects, Momentous Impact
The story of how a simple pen saved Apollo 11 reminds us that history often turns on small moments and ordinary objects. While we celebrate the grand achievements and iconic images of the first moon landing, it’s equally important to remember the behind-the-scenes challenges and ingenious solutions that made those achievements possible.
Buzz Aldrin’s quick thinking with a felt-tip pen represents the perfect intersection of human ingenuity, engineering knowledge, and grace under pressure—qualities that define the best of space exploration. The next time you pick up a pen, remember that in the right circumstances, even the most ordinary tools can accomplish extraordinary things.
From the near-disaster of the broken circuit breaker to the triumphant return of the Apollo 11 crew, this story continues to inspire us more than five decades later. It reminds us that space exploration isn’t just about advanced technology and grand visions—it’s about human problem-solving and the ability to adapt when things go wrong.
Want to learn more fascinating stories about Apollo 11 and other space missions? Visit apollo11space.com for in-depth articles and resources. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for captivating videos that bring these historic moments to life.
