Auction to benefit Lindbergh Foundation, mini-rocket flew aboard SpaceShipOne

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation has announced that one of six “Retro Bronze Mini Rockets” designed and created by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, is now being offered in an auction on eBay which began Friday morning, December 3, 2004.

The auction will run for 10 days, with proceeds benefiting the Lindbergh Foundation.  The “Retro Rocket” flew aboard SpaceShipOne on October 4, 2004, the winning flight in the $10 million Ansari X Prize competition.  Of those flown into space, this is the only one available to the public. 

The Rocket is identified as Serial Number 2, and is dated and initialed by Erik Lindbergh. A framed Certificate of Authenticity signed by Burt Rutan and SpaceShipOne pilots Mike Melville, Brian Binnie and Doug Shane is included.  The stationery used for the Certificate was also flown into space aboard SpaceShipOne’s winning flight.

The sculpture measures 1.5 in by 1.5 in by 4.5 in and comes in a secure frame shadow box for display. It will be on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle until January 31, 2005 as part of a special exhibit entitled ”Rustic Rocket Science – The Sculptures of Erik R. Lindbergh.”

Erik Lindbergh is vice chairman on the Board of Directors of the Lindbergh Foundation and has served on the Board since 1998.  In May 2002, Erik honored his grandfather by recreating his 1927 solo New York-to-Paris flight in a single engine Lancair.  He is also vice president and trustee of the X-Prize Foundation, founding board member of the Aviation High School in Seattle, and is a commercial pilot.

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, based in Minnesota, which strives to encourage and inspire present and future generations to work toward improving the quality of life through a balance between technological advancements and environmental preservation. The Lindbergh Foundation pursues its mission through three major programs:  Lindbergh Grants, the annual honorary Lindbergh Award, and a variety of educational programs, which are designed to bring life to, and engage others in, the Lindberghs’ passion for balance.

(ANN Associate Editor Juan Jimenez made the first sacrificial bid of the auction in honor of comedian Bill Dana and his famous character, "Jose Jimenez," whom everyone knows always wanted to be an astronaut. As expected and on schedule, the bid was summarily vaporized by another bidder some 15 minutes later... but it was worth it!)

FMI: Go to the eBay Retro Rocket Auction, www.lindberghfoundation.org