Country of Origin: USA
Dimensions:
3-D Test (Thick Steel Pole): 158.8 x 2.2cm (62 1/2 x 7/8 in.)
3-D Test (Aluminum Pole): 127.6 x 2.2cm (50 1/4 x 7/8 in.)
3-D Test (Thin Steel Pole): 153.7 x 1.6cm (60 1/2 x 5/8 in.)
Other: 4.3kg (9 3/8lb.)
Materials:
Steel, Aluminum, Paint, Adhesive, Plastic, Lead, Copper
The Apollo flag pole was specifically designed enable astronauts to plant a 3 x 5 ft. nylon U. S. flag on the Moon's surface. The flag pole consisted of a telescoping crossbar hinged to telescoping pole, all pieces made of anodized aluminum tubing of varying diameter. The thickest lower portion of the vertical pole was designed to be pushed (later hammered) into the lunar surface and the upper portion inserted into it after the crossbar with flag was snapped into its perpendicular position.
This item was one of several constructed in the workshop of the Manned Spaceflight Center in Houston and retained their for display in their visitor's center. Ownership was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1977.
Transferred from the NASA- Johnson Space Center
