Apollo Lunar Surface Sample Collection Bags used during outdoor Apollo EVA training at the Kennedy Space Center, consisting of original ‘cylindrical’ plastic lunar surface collection bag identical to those used on the moon by Apollo 12 and 14 astronauts, and an original ‘flat’ plastic lunar surface collection bag identical to those used on the moon by Apollo 15, 16, and 17 astronauts. The ‘cylindrical’ bag, approximately measuring 5.25 x 5.5 with a mouth diameter of 3.25″, is topped with an aluminum ring and numbered “16” on the front for determining when and where a sample was taken. These types of bags were stowed in a cylindrical case mounted on the Lunar Surface Tool Holder (LSTH). The ‘flat’ bag, measuring 5 x 5.25 and featuring an aluminum ring to top, was mounted on the side of an astronaut’s Hasselblad camera during EVA. In overall very good to fine condition, with expected wear from use. Accompanied by a photo of an astronaut during training standing next to an LSTH with cylindrical bag holder, and a detailed informational packet compiled by Dan Schaiewitz, a former Extravehicular Crew Training Engineer at KSC, which includes various images of the bags during EVA training; also includes a 16.5 x 22.5 framed informational display. Between 1969 and 1972, the six Apollo missions collected 842 pounds of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust from the lunar surface, with the six space flights returning 2,200 separate samples from six different exploration sites on the moon—a uncommon offering relating to the highly important collection of lunar material. From the collection of Dan Schaiewitz, who worked as Extravehicular Crew Training Engineer at KSC. View Dan's many Collect Space posts here. Engineer Dan Schaiewitz gives us a fascinating firsthand glimpse into his experiences on the cutting edge of space exploration during the Apollo missions, in this podcast.
