HAISE, FRED. (b. 1933). American astronaut who, with his fellow Apollo 13 astronauts, holds the record for the furthest any human beings have ever traveled from Earth. TLS. (“Fred Haise”). ½p. 4to. Titusville, May 25, 1994. On Grumman Technical Services letterhead. To American documentary filmmaker ELLIOTT HAIMOFF (b. 1955).

“Enclosed you will find your promotional video. My current business activity with the large number of Lunar Landing 25th Anniversary events preclude my participation. Wishing you the best in your venture. Thank you for your interest. Sincerely…”

Haise began his aviation career early as a Naval Aviation Cadet and eventually became a Marine fighter pilot and instructor. After receiving a degree in aerospace engineering and flying as an interceptor pilot with the Oklahoma National Guard, he joined the newly formed NASA and, in 1966, was selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 5.

In April 1970, Haise served as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 13, a manned mission to the moon. However, after departure, the mission’s moon landing was aborted due to a malfunction of the electrical and life-support systems caused by a ruptured oxygen tank. The incident forced all four astronauts aboard to spend two days in the lunar module meant for only two people while mission control worked to return them to earth. The dramatic events were the subject of the 1995 film Apollo 13. Apollo 13 astronauts hold the record for the furthest any human beings have ever traveled from Earth.

A biologist and primatologist, Haimoff filmed endangered primates before founding his independent documentary company, Global Science Productions, in 1990. The company produced such documentaries as Moonwalkers: The Men of Apollo, Apollo 16: The Men, Moon, and Memories and Apollo 13: The Untold Story, the subject of our letter.

Folded and in very good condition.