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Amazing fire extinguisher flown and carried aboard the Command Module Casper (CSM-113) during the historic Apollo 16 mission to the moon. The metal canister extinguisher, 3.7 pounds, 7˝ x 8.5˝ x 4.75˝, features an affixed parts label to the lower base, which reads: “Item Name: Fire Extinguisher, NAA/S&ID Control No. ME 280-0010-0006, Contract No. NAS9-150, Manufacturing Date: 10 12 71, Manufacturer: Southwest Research Institute, Manufacturer’s Serial No. 652570001NNN, Manufacturer’s Part No. 220201-06, Total Weight: 7 LB 10 OZ.” The bottom base area also bears a red “Class III, Not for Flight’ deaccession label, a “Warning!” label for the safety pin, and a “Temperature Indicator” label. The upper connection port is engraved as follows: “FIKE, ½ 1000 PSI MAX, A3570-1, 304 SST.” In fine condition, with scattered scuffs and marks. A rare opportunity to own the lone fire extinguisher flown aboard the Apollo 16 CM Casper.
Accompanied by a copy of the official ‘System and Component Historical Record’ for a “Fire Extinguisher,” issued with matching Serial No. 652570001NNN and certified as having been “Flown on Apollo 16 S/C 113.” The record’s last date notes that the extinguisher was downgraded to Class II and given the ASHUR No. 113086. Also includes a copy of the ‘Apollo Spacecraft Hardware Utilization Request’ for CSM 113, with matching ASHUR number, and a copy of a NASA MSC ‘Test Preparation Sheet’ with matching Serial and ASHUR numbers.
The Apollo 16 ‘Apollo Stowage List’ lists the fire extinguisher on the spacecraft manifest with part no. ME 280-0010-0006. Per the inventory, the fire extinguisher, issued as Item ‘00347.00,’ was stowed in compartment A3 of the CM’s aft bulkhead.
Following the tragedy of Apollo 1, NASA placed extra emphasis on the importance of fire safety. Per the NASA manual The Apollo Spacecraft: A Chronology: ‘In spite of efforts to eliminate all flammable materials from the interior of the spacecraft cabin during flight it was apparent that this could not be completely accomplished. For example silicone rubber hoses, flight logs, food tissues, and other materials would be exposed within the cabin during portions of the mission. However flammable materials would be outside their containers only when actually needed. Special fire extinguishers would be carried during flight…MSC's Engineering and Development E & D Directorate recommended that the Apollo CM be provided with a foam fire extinguisher. E & D also recommended that the LM be provided with a water nozzle for extinguishing open fires and that cabin decompression be used to combat fires behind panels. An aqueous gel foam composition fire extinguisher was considered most appropriate for use in the CM because hydrogen in the available water supply could intensify the fire, water spray could not reach fires behind panels, and a shirt sleeve environment was preferred.’
