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Helmet, Pressure Bubble, Aldrin, Apollo 11

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
Air Lock Inc.
Astronaut
Buzz Aldrin
Designer
Dr. Robert L. Jones
Contractor
Hamilton Standard
Subcontractor
ILC Industries Inc.
Designer
James H. O'Kane
Summary
This pressure helmet was made for "Buzz" Aldrin for use during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969.
The Apollo pressure helmet was a transparent bubble designed to attach to the spacesuit neck ring. It was constructed of a polycarbonate shell with a red anodized aluminum neck ring, a feed port, a vent pad and duct assembly attached to the rear and a valsalva device attached to the inner ring. The valsalva device was installed so that the astronaut could "blow" his nose to prevent his ears from "popping" during the rapid ascent of launch.
There were two configurations of these pressure bubbles used on Apollo suits which were not interchangable. The style used during the Apollo missions 7 through 10 was of anodized blue aluminum, while those used from Apollo 11 through the end of the program were of anodized red aluminum.
Transferred to the National Air and Space Museum from NASA in 1971.
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA,Manned Spacecraft Center
Inventory Number
A19730041006
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear
Materials
Neck Disconnect: Anodized aluminium
Overall: Polycarbonate, anodized aluminium, Velcro
Dimensions
3-D: 22.9 x 25.4cm (9 x 10 in.)
Other (Neck disconnect): 9 3/4in. (24.8cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19730041006
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv99e8ebe6d-4ac1-47f9-82cb-696430edf72f

Related Content

  • Apollo 11

    Air and Space Museum
  • Human Spaceflight

    Air and Space Museum
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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