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Vest, Apollo 13, Gene Kranz

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
Marta Kranz
Summary
This vest was worn by Eugene F. "Gene" Kranz, NASA Chief of Flight Control Division, during Apollo 13, the third lunar landing attempt. During that flight, mission control worked with Apollo contractors and the flight crew to solve several problems, foregoing a Moon landing but bringing the crew back to Earth safely.
As the leader of the "white team" in mission control, Kranz wore a different white suit vest, handsewn by his wife, Marta, for each mission, beginning with Gemini IV in 1965 and ending with Apollo 17 in 1972. Most of the vests are more elaborate than this one. Although Kranz's trademark vests were well known at the time, Kranz's portrayal by actor Ed Harris in the blockbuster 1995 film "Apollo 13" made this particular white vest iconic.
As was the custom in mission control, after Kranz's retirement, the color "White" was retired from possible flight team colors. Kranz donated this to the Musuem in 2006.
Alternate Name
Eugene Kranz's Apollo 13 Vest
Credit Line
Gift of the Eugene F. Kranz Family
1970
Inventory Number
A20060573000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
MEMORABILIA-People
Materials
Natural Fabric
Natural Fibers
Plastic
Metal
Dimensions
Clothing (Flat): 55.9 × 50.8cm (22 × 20 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Destination Moon
Title
Vest, Apollo 13, Gene Kranz
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A20060573000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv950a255bf-1a46-4634-a20c-3f07d7ae769d

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Gene Kranz's white Apollo 13 Vest with pockets
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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Gene Kranz's white Apollo 13 Vest with pockets
Back of Gene Kranz's white Apollo 13 Vest

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