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Kapton Insulation from LM-5 "Eagle" Apollo 11
Kapton Insulation from LM-5 "Eagle" Apollo 11
Acquired from Space Walk of Fame Auction
Date acquired 25th August 2019
Date acquired 25th August 2019
Collection # -TSM27
Collection # -TSM27
This piece of Kapton was removed from the Apollo 11 Lunar Module “Eagle”, the iconic space vehicle which was used to land Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. It was removed to gain access to the modules fuel system whilst a valve replacement was being carried out. Kapton is a polyimide film developed by DuPont in the late 1960s that remains stable across a wide range of temperatures, from −269 to +400 °C (−452 to 752 °F; 4 to 673 K).[1][2] Kapton is used in, among other things, flexible printed circuits (flexible electronics) and space blankets, which are used on spacecraft, satellites, and various space instrument. (Material description-Wikipedia)
This piece of Kapton was removed from the Apollo 11 Lunar Module “Eagle”, the iconic space vehicle which was used to land Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. It was removed to gain access to the modules fuel system whilst a valve replacement was being carried out. Kapton is a polyimide film developed by DuPont in the late 1960s that remains stable across a wide range of temperatures, from −269 to +400 °C (−452 to 752 °F; 4 to 673 K).[1][2] Kapton is used in, among other things, flexible printed circuits (flexible electronics) and space blankets, which are used on spacecraft, satellites, and various space instrument. (Material description-Wikipedia)
A previous test flight (Apollo 9) had highlighted a problem with a valve installed in the helium system. This was serious enough to warrant a redesign of the valve, and all subsequent vehicles were fitted with the new type valve. Such was the pace of the Apollo program at this time it meant that some repairs of this type had to be carried out on spacecraft that were already built up and out on the launchpad and nearly ready to fly. Such was the case with the replacement of the helium squib valve which was carried out in late June 1969 just a few weeks prior to the launch. The LM was nestled inside the launch vehicle, and conditions were to say the least very cramped and uncomfortable.
A previous test flight (Apollo 9) had highlighted a problem with a valve installed in the helium system. This was serious enough to warrant a redesign of the valve, and all subsequent vehicles were fitted with the new type valve. Such was the pace of the Apollo program at this time it meant that some repairs of this type had to be carried out on spacecraft that were already built up and out on the launchpad and nearly ready to fly. Such was the case with the replacement of the helium squib valve which was carried out in late June 1969 just a few weeks prior to the launch. The LM was nestled inside the launch vehicle, and conditions were to say the least very cramped and uncomfortable.
Lee Brandt was awarded a Silver Snoopy for the repair, a copy of the recommendation is below
Lee Brandt was awarded a Silver Snoopy for the repair, a copy of the recommendation is below
Diagram of the descent stage, the Helium tank is highlighted. The valve would have been situated in pipework attached to this tank
Diagram of the descent stage, the Helium tank is highlighted. The valve would have been situated in pipework attached to this tank
Eagle on the moon, the helium tank is behind the "bulge"
Eagle on the moon, the helium tank is behind the "bulge"
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