c.1970. Beta cloth and polyester bag, approximately 34 x 25-1/2 inches, with rubberized nylon and brass zipper marked "talon" on both sides, four 3-3/4 x 13/16 inch loops, and "SAMPLE CONTAINER STOW ON VOL A2 FOR ENTRY" and "USE SQ NOTES SECURED WITH HALF HITCH KNOTS /R36-601507 HARD M/U 28 112" on either side of the zipper. Lacking original straps and buckles. NASA took extra precautions against possible "contamination of lunar samples prior to examination by scientists, and to protect the earth from potential lunar pathogens" (Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum). These beta cloth bags were designed specifically to encase and isolate the Apollo Lunar Surface Return Containers (ALSRC) which contained lunar soil and rock samples, before their transfer from the Lunar Module. Specifically designed for NASA after the tragic Apollo 1 disaster, Beta cloth is a fire-resistant fabric composed of Teflon coated silica. Even after the Apollo 14 mission, when decontamination requirements were relaxed, these bags were used to protect samples and limit the lunar dust released into the command module during flight (Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum).
c.1970. Beta cloth and polyester bag, approximately 34 x 25-1/2 inches, with rubberized nylon and brass zipper marked "talon" on both sides, four 3-3/4 x 13/16 inch loops, and "SAMPLE CONTAINER STOW ON VOL A2 FOR ENTRY" and "USE SQ NOTES SECURED WITH HALF HITCH KNOTS /R36-601507 HARD M/U 28 112" on either side of the zipper. Lacking original straps and buckles. NASA took extra precautions against possible "contamination of lunar samples prior to examination by scientists, and to protect the earth from potential lunar pathogens" (Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum). These beta cloth bags were designed specifically to encase and isolate the Apollo Lunar Surface Return Containers (ALSRC) which contained lunar soil and rock samples, before their transfer from the Lunar Module. Specifically designed for NASA after the tragic Apollo 1 disaster, Beta cloth is a fire-resistant fabric composed of Teflon coated silica. Even after the Apollo 14 mission, when decontamination requirements were relaxed, these bags were used to protect samples and limit the lunar dust released into the command module during flight (Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
