When reading by moonlight….
The Portable Utility Light was used to provide extra lighting for Apollo 16 Commander John Young and Charlie Duke. The light connected to the overhead utility light panel and switches provided Young and Duke with one-step dimming for light-intensity control.
Before jettisoning the Lunar Module, Charlie Duke cut the light cord and brought it back with him as a souvenir of his lunar voyage. Without unauthorized activities like this, the flown lunar module hardware would be left behind, as it was for the early flights. There is a specified list of LM items to be brought back into the CM for the return to Earth, and the night light and LM COAS are not on that list.
Heritage description: “Apollo 16 Lunar Module Flown Utility Light Cord
Directly from the Personal Collection of John Young
Approximately 42″ long, this coiled utility light cable assembly features copper wire inside clear insulation, two Velcro-backed strips for mounting to the wall of the spacecraft, and a six pin, Beta cloth-wrapped electrical connector at one end. This was utilized in the Lunar Module Orion on the lunar surface to power a small utility light for the use of the crewmen. It remained in the LM on the moon for nearly three full days. The number on both straps reads “LDW340-53608-1”.
Included with this lot is a letter of authenticity signed “John W. Young” on his personal letterhead, stating: “I hereby certify that the accompanying coiled Utility Light Cord was flown to the lunar surface aboard the LM with Charlie Duke and myself during the Apollo 16 mission April 16-27, 1972. Charlie gave this cord to me after our mission and it has been a part of my personal collection since.”
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