It was several months ago when NASA announced its intent to sue former Apollo astronaut Edgar Mitchell after the former Moon walker tried to sell a NASA camera he had in his possession at auction. NASA's claim: Mitchell never went through the proper avenues in order to bring the camera back as a souvenir, which meant that he was, technically, trying to sell stolen government property. Mitchell denied the charges and vowed to fight the lawsuit, which was set to go to court this month.
Key words: was set. In a breaking development, it has been reported that Mitchell and NASA have settled the case. One condition: Mitchell gives up the camera. For both parties, this marks the end of a highly passionate debate.
In the Apollo days, astronauts were permitted to bring back souvenirs from the Moon, provided that they filled out the paperwork and went through the designated avenues. In doing this, astronauts were able to take legal ownership of the designated items and, therefore, be able to sell them later. To date, many former astronauts have sold Apollo mementos. NASA's contention with Mitchell: he never undertook the official protocol, and therefore was not entitled to sell the camera that was, in the strictest sense of the word, stolen.
In response to the NASA lawsuit, Mitchell contended that NASA never told his that he couldn't keep the camera and that no issue was made of his actions until he tried to sell the camera and that NASA was had no right to stop him from doing to 40 years after the fact. Unfortunately for Mitchell, a federal judge disagreed, citing law that states that there is no statute of limitation when it comes to stolen government property and that NASA's case could go forward.
Now, two weeks after that setback, Mitchell has given up the fight, and the camera. Now, the news isn't all bad for Mitchell in that, by giving up the camera, NASA has agreed to drop the matter, and all possible litigation in the future.
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