In the event of an emergency landing or mission abort of the Apollo spacecraft, the astronauts could possibly have been subject to cold temperatures or a lack of shade. This emergency blanket included in the survival rucksack is made of ripstop nylon with an aluminized foil backing.
The blanket would provide warmth, and its reflective covering would have protected the astronauts from the sun. The bright color would have enabled a rescue team to spot the astronauts more easily.
This blanket was not flown. It was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in 1978.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.