[tanknetter]

“Mitchell’s lawyer, Donald Jacobson, said NASA management was aware of and approved Mitchell’s ownership of the camera 40 years ago. “Objects from the lunar trips to the moon were ultimately mounted and then presented to the astronauts as a gift after they had helped NASA on a mission,” Jacobson said.”

I've been involved in discussions of this sort of thing before (aerospace history is my major hobby). My recollection of the situation is that the Apollo astronauts were given items from their missions with the express stipulation that they could be kept, displayed, and passed on to spouses and descendants (possibly close relatives). But NOT sold. I think there were also similar limitations on the astronauts' personal kit - personal items that they were permitted to take up on flights.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Thanks for that info!

[Sacajaweau]

I’m sure there ,and still are, very special work contracts for those astronauts who go into space.