This pressure helmet was made for Eugene Cernan, Commander of the the Apollo 17 mission in December, 1972.

The Apollo pressure helmet was a transparent bubble designed to attach to the spacesuit neck ring. It was constructed of a polycarbonate shell with a red anodized aluminum neck ring, a feed port, a vent pad and duct assembly attached to the rear and a valsalva device attached to the inner ring. The valsalva device was installed so that the astronaut could "blow" his nose to prevent his ears from "popping" during the rapid ascent of launch.

There were two configurations of these pressure bubbles used on Apollo suits which were not interchangable. The style used during the Apollo missions 7 through 10 was of anodized blue aluminum, while those used from Apollo 11 through the end of the program were of anodized red aluminum.

Transferred to the National Air and Space Museum from NASA in 1973.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear

Manufacturer

Air Lock Inc.

Astronaut

Eugene A. Cernan

Dimensions

3-D: 26.7 × 31.8 × 26cm (10 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.)
Other (neck ring): 9 3/4 in. (24.8cm)

Materials

Bubble: Polycarbonate
Comfort Pad: Padded Beta cloth, aluminium
Neck Ring: Anodized aluminium

Inventory Number

A19740133002

Credit Line

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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