The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's 10th annual auction of astronaut experiences and memorabilia has opened for bidding today (October 29) and will close on November 3.

The sale offers space enthusiasts the chance to take part in one of 10 experiences with renowned astronauts or respected experts in the field, such as a classroom visit from LeVar Burton (Star Trek's Geordi La Forge) or exploring San Antonio with moonwalker Charlie Duke.

It was the Mercury 7 that first started the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

In the array of memorabilia offered, an original Mercury 7 astronaut-signed launch art print has reached $1,401 already. The artwork has been hand-signed by all of the Mercury 7 astronauts next to their mission patches, which have been painted in superb detail. It also features faint portraits of each of the astronauts in the rocket's plume.

Each of the astronauts was given a net to stop equipment floating away

Also selling well is a fragment of lunar module equipment netting, which was used by Charlie Duke while on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission. The piece was covered in Moon dust while on the Moon's surface, and was maintained in Duke's personal collection until the sale. It is currently selling for $1,503.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created in order to support those who wish to become astronauts, with over $3.5m in scholarships awarded so far. Proceeds from the auction will help the foundation to continue supporting these budding astronauts throughout their education.

Visit our Space & Aviation news section regularly for more of the latest news and the results of this sale.