Space Camera From Apollo 15 Moon Mission Up for Auction

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A camera, believed to have been used in 1971 when the eighth man walked on the moon, will soon be up for auction in Austria. It is expected to sell from anywhere between $200,000 and $270,000.

Older model gadgets typically don’t have a high monetary value. However if the device has any connection to space, its worth skyrockets.

A camera, believed to have been used in 1971 when the eighth man walked on the moon, will soon be up for auction in Austria. The camera is expected to sell somewhere between $200,000 and $270,000.

According to the Vienna based auction house behind the upcoming sale, the 70-millimeter Hasselblad Electric Data Camera was utilized by astronaut James Irwin on NASA's Apollo 15 mission. As proof of that claim, the seller pointed out the registration number "38" appears on a small transparent plate inside the camera.

The double digit “38” was also showcased on all of the nearly 300 images taken by Irwin during the mission. The device will reportedly come with “extensive documentation” to further prove it is indeed a legitimate piece of space history.

The camera was formerly owned by the collector, Alain Lazzarini, but it remains unclear how it got into the hands of a private holder. NASA has not released a statement regarding the authenticity of the camera.

The auction is scheduled to take place on March 21st.