Bid On Astronaut Experiences, Mementos

Dinner with the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon mission. Skydiving or Scotch Tasting with shuttle astronauts. A signed portrait of the first American astronaut to fly in space. A Mercury-Atlas booklet signed by John Glenn and Scott Carpenter.

These rare opportunities and space program memorabilia are up for bid this week in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's online Semi-Annual Auction.

"More than 50 of my astronaut peers have donated their personal mementos, autographs or time to raise money for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation," Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden said in a news release. "We are all honored to support ASF's mission of launching the next generation to the forefront of science and technology in America."

The auction concludes at 10 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit the ASF, which was founded in 1984 by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury astronauts. The foundation each year funds 25 $10,000 scholarships for college students who exhibit motivation, imagination and exceptional performance in the fields of science and technology.