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Apollo 16: Unflown Section of lunar Module Thermal Blanket
Apollo 16: Unflown Section of lunar Module Thermal Blanket
Acquired from Heritage Auctions
Acquired from Heritage Auctions
Acquired 22nd May 2021
Acquired 22nd May 2021
Collection Number TSM-099
Collection Number TSM-099
The item was purchased from an online auction. It was removed prior to the flight. Although not known why, it is most likely to have been removed to gain access to carry out a repair or a modification
The item was purchased from an online auction. It was removed prior to the flight. Although not known why, it is most likely to have been removed to gain access to carry out a repair or a modification
The piece measures 250mm (10") by 300mm (12").
The piece measures 250mm (10") by 300mm (12").
The blanket is constructed of 23 layers.
The blanket is constructed of 23 layers.
Working from the outside inwards the layers are
Working from the outside inwards the layers are
4 with gold facing out with a silver backing
4 with gold facing out with a silver backing
3 silver
3 silver
5 with gold facing out with a silver backing
5 with gold facing out with a silver backing
10 Silver
10 Silver
1 silver facing towards the front, gold facing back
1 silver facing towards the front, gold facing back
The semicircular section that is seen towards the bottom left of the first image comprises of 18 layers of gold with silver backing.
The semicircular section that is seen towards the bottom left of the first image comprises of 18 layers of gold with silver backing.
I would describe the semicircular section as a "Cover". The 18 layers of the cover are held together with staples, and the staples were covered with Kapton adhesive tape. The cover was then attached to the main section of the blanket with additional pieces of Kapton adhesive tape.
I would describe the semicircular section as a "Cover". The 18 layers of the cover are held together with staples, and the staples were covered with Kapton adhesive tape. The cover was then attached to the main section of the blanket with additional pieces of Kapton adhesive tape.
The cover is marked with a part number, of which 280-2-1 is visible.
The cover is marked with a part number, of which 280-2-1 is visible.
When the cover is lifted, or the blanket is viewed from the rear a hole is visible. The hole measures 13mm diameter (1/2") and and strips of adhesive Kapton are attached to both outward faces where the hole is. I believe that the tape was applied first and then the hole was punched through.
When the cover is lifted, or the blanket is viewed from the rear a hole is visible. The hole measures 13mm diameter (1/2") and and strips of adhesive Kapton are attached to both outward faces where the hole is. I believe that the tape was applied first and then the hole was punched through.
The purpose of the hole is unknown, it may have been for access to a screw, valve or switch.
The purpose of the hole is unknown, it may have been for access to a screw, valve or switch.
Alternatively it may have been a fixing point for the blanket to the LM structure.
Alternatively it may have been a fixing point for the blanket to the LM structure.
The last item that can be seen is a small nylon peg that is holding the 23 layers together. This has been positioned so that when the cover is affixed it is also covered
The last item that can be seen is a small nylon peg that is holding the 23 layers together. This has been positioned so that when the cover is affixed it is also covered
I believe the correct name for the blanket is MLI-Multi Layered Insulation
I believe the correct name for the blanket is MLI-Multi Layered Insulation
Another thing that is more obvious when the blanket is seen with the naked eye is that the Gold colour of the two facing sheets is a markedly darker/deeper colour than the internal sheets
Another thing that is more obvious when the blanket is seen with the naked eye is that the Gold colour of the two facing sheets is a markedly darker/deeper colour than the internal sheets
The first layers gold/silver layers folded back to reveal silver/silver layers
The first layers gold/silver layers folded back to reveal silver/silver layers
Further into the layering and there are more Gold/Silver layers
Further into the layering and there are more Gold/Silver layers
The blanket is shown here flipped over onto its back. Here you can see the hole, and the nylon peg that holds the layers together
The blanket is shown here flipped over onto its back. Here you can see the hole, and the nylon peg that holds the layers together
The cover lifted to show the front side of the hole
The cover lifted to show the front side of the hole
Looking under the cover you can see the nylon retainer washer that hold the peg in place
Looking under the cover you can see the nylon retainer washer that hold the peg in place
A close up of the peg
A close up of the peg
A description supplied by the auction house
A description supplied by the auction house
The copies of the removal tags. These tags were generated to log and keep a record of items removed and the reason why.
The copies of the removal tags. These tags were generated to log and keep a record of items removed and the reason why.
Here are some images of Grumman employees who were involved with applying the insulation to the Lunar Modules. The first image is of Alan Contessa who was well because of his work on Apollo 11's Eagle. He installed extra insulation to the LM whilst it was enclosed inside the Saturn V, which was already on the launch pad
Here are some images of Grumman employees who were involved with applying the insulation to the Lunar Modules. The first image is of Alan Contessa who was well because of his work on Apollo 11's Eagle. He installed extra insulation to the LM whilst it was enclosed inside the Saturn V, which was already on the launch pad
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