Fallen Astronaut - Aftermath

Aftermath

After the crew mentioned the statuette during their post-flight press conference, the National Air and Space Museum requested that a replica be made for public display. The crew agreed, on condition that it be displayed "with good taste and without publicity". The replica was given to the Smithsonian Institution on April 17, 1972, the day after CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite revealed during the broadcast of the Apollo 16 launch the existence of the "fallen astronaut" and plaque as the first art on the Moon. It is now on display with a replica of the plaque in the Museum's National Mall Building in the Space Race Wing, Gallery 114.

In May 1972, Scott learned that Van Hoeydonck planned to make more replicas and sell them. Believing that this would be a violation of the spirit of their agreement, Scott tried to persuade Van Hoeydonck to refrain. It was advertised in a full-page advertisement in the July 1972 issue of "Art in America" magazine, that 950 replicas of "Fallen Astronaut" signed by the sculptor would be sold by the Waddell Gallery of New York for $750 each; a second edition, at a lower, unspecified price; and a catalog edition, at $5.

After negative comments from NASA about the intended sale, Van Hoeydonck retracted his permission for it and no statues were sold.

In a letter dated September 2007, Van Hoeydonck wrote that 50 copies had been made and that most of those were still in his possession, unsigned. With the exception of one copy, Van Hoeydonck wrote, he had never received money for a statue of the Fallen Astronaut, despite the many purchase offers he had received.

Van Hoeydonck recalls a different set of events leading to the creation of the artifact. According to an interview with him in Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the statue was supposed to be a representation of all mankind, not simply fallen astronauts or cosmonauts. He has stated that he did not know the statue would be used as a memorial for the fallen space-goers.