Vintage RCA GCTA Lunar Camera Tie Clip | Silver Tone Space Age Novelty NOS
$24.99
For the space enthusiast, NASA buff, or vintage accessories collector, this is a genuinely rare find. This silver-tone tie bar features a detailed 3D miniature of the RCA Ground-Commanded Television Assembly (GCTA), the color television camera system developed by RCA for NASA's Apollo lunar surface missions. Both "RCA" and "GCTA" are legibly cast into the camera figure, making it unmistakable to anyone who knows their Apollo hardware.
The bar itself measures about .25" wide x 1.75" long, has a crosshatch-textured finish and a standard spring-tension clip on the back. The camera figure is mounted at one end and rendered with impressive detail for something this small. You can make out the boxy body and lens configuration of the real camera. It measures about .75" tall x 0.5" wide.
New old stock - this piece has never been worn. Overall condition is excellent. Please note: there are a few very faint, light spots on the bar surface that are virtually invisible to the naked eye but become visible under a professional macro lens. These do not affect the appearance in normal wear and are noted here only for full transparency.
Historical Significance:
The RCA GCTA is one of the most remarkable cameras in the history of television broadcasting. NASA awarded RCA a contract to develop a color video system that could be mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) and operated remotely by controllers back on Earth - a feat requiring significant advances in radio transmission, camera technology, and image conversion.
Introduced on Apollo 15 in 1971, the GCTA was used on Apollo 15, 16, and 17. It was made up of two components: the Color Television Camera (CTV) and the Television Control Unit (TCU). Using a field-sequential color system and a silicon intensifier target (SIT) tube, it transmitted live color footage from the lunar surface back to Earth, including some of the most iconic imagery of the entire space program. On Apollo 17, the GCTA successfully tracked the ascent of the lunar module as it lifted off from the Moon via a live broadcast watched by millions.
A tie bar commemorating this camera would have been a meaningful professional accessory for RCA engineers, NASA contractors, or space industry insiders during the early 1970s, making this a historically grounded piece of wearable space history.
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I gladly accept exchanges
Just contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
I don't accept returns or cancellations
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept returns/exchanges?
The short answer is no, however refunds and exchanges will be handled on a case-by-case basis. You will be responsible for paying for your own non-refundable shipping costs for returning and receiving your item. We do not give refunds or exchanges due to color issues, size, wear and tear, jewelry damage after arrival, or if you just simply "don't like it". Please see "Care Instructions" for information on how to properly care for your vintage items.
If you have any questions about an item, please contact us BEFORE ordering, to insure the item is as you expected when it arrives. We try to list the details of every item, but encourage you to look at any pictures as well, and let us know if you have any questions.
Do you ship outside the U.S.?
At this time we are only able to ship to the U.S. Please check back often if you are not in the U.S., as we are hoping to add international shipping in the future.
Do you combine shipping costs if I want more than one item?
Yes! If you are interested in purchasing multiple items, I DO combine shipping! Etsy should automatically combine these costs at checkout however, if you notice that the shipping is double what you would normally pay, please contact me, and I will create a custom listing for you.
Can I see a photo of the item being worn?
We generally do not try on or wear the pieces for photographs, because they are previously unworn to begin with. Some people might feel it is unsanitary to purchase previously worn jewelry (earrings mainly). We do have some mannequin displays that allow us to show what it would look similar to while being worn. Please look at the measurements in the listing description to determine the sizes of each piece, and as always, please let us know if you have any questions about an item before purchasing.
Care instructions
Store jewelry at room temperature in a dry place.
• Excess moisture or heat can cause damage.
• Never immerse your jewelry in water.
• For best results, store each piece separately in a plastic zip bag.
• To clean your jewelry, use a soft cloth, such as a silver cleaning cloth.
Gold plated and silver plated items will not retain their color with prolonged daily wear.
If your jewelry breaks, we are happy to provide simple instructions and suggestions on how to repair a piece, if it is possible.
Vintage jewelry is often brittle from being stored for decades, but with proper care and handling, your jewelry will last for decades to come.