No, this is not a kit knife. This is the type delivered to NASA with the intended use for survival training. The etched name "logo" is how they were all marked. They were also Rhodium plated. There was on order of 20, with possibly some others as private purchase or perhaps "gifts" to NASA officials. I don't know if this is one of the 20 or not. I have only seen one other such as this in private hands. My guess is the Grissom knife not from the LB7 is also one of these.
I agree Joe! I've studied the Astro's more than any other Model and, sadly, there isn't much information on the very early one's. NASA placed more than one order and there were around 3 dozen shipped to them, most, if not all, with no sheath. As far as I know they were all carbon blades and most all were made from Soligen blades. The one up for auction looks to be a Soligen. At least some were Rhodium plated but it doesn't look like the one up for auction was one of them. The Rhodium plating was performed by a NASA subcontractor. Me and Joe both think this knife was likely purchased by an Air Force officer connected to the Space Program during that time period. I also think, and Joe won't agree with this, that making these knives is were Randall came across Micarta for handle material. This is my theory only.
Error on number made for NASA...see more current post! 
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