A dried-out felt-tip pen that helped Buzz Aldrin save Apollo 11 from disaster has just fetched $857,600 at Sotheby’s auction. The pen was crucial in rearming the engine arm circuit breaker after it broke off during the historic lunar mission.

During their Moon walk, Aldrin realized the circuit breaker for the ascent engine had been broken off, a problem that could have left Armstrong and Aldrin stranded on the surface. With engineers frantically working to solve the issue from Mission Control, Aldrin ingeniously used his plastic felt-tip pen as a makeshift tool to reset the switch.

Despite the humorous notion of astronauts using pens in space, Aldrin’s solution worked flawlessly. The pen fit perfectly into the circuit breaker opening and clicking back into place allowed the engine arm circuit to function again. This simple yet ingenious use of everyday objects highlights the ingenuity required for space exploration.

The pen's sale underscores not just its historical significance but also its monetary value as a piece of space memorabilia. It serves as a tangible reminder of how small, seemingly mundane items can play pivotal roles in monumental moments of human achievement and survival.