It's an unassuming document: a travel voucher for Col. Edwin E. Aldrin for a round trip originating in Houston, Texas. But the whole story of the most historic space mission to date is right there, listed matter-of-factly as a series of destinations in the right-hand column of the first page: Cape Kennedy, Florida; Moon; Pacific Ocean (USN Hornet); and Hawaii.
On the next page, the voucher spells out the details of travel arrangements for a business trip to the Moon. Aldrin drove his own car from his residence to Ellington Air Force Base outside Houston, Texas. From there to Cape Kennedy, he flew on a government aircraft. Nothing unusual so far, but you've got to wonder what the typist thought while typing out the next two lines:
- Cape Kennedy, Florida to Moon: Government Spacecraft
- Moon to Cape Kennedy, Florida: Government Spacecraft
$33.31 for a round trip to the moon? Where can I sign up...even at today's dollars!