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This pressure helmet is a transparent bubble made for and worn by James Irwin, Lunar Module Module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission in July, 1971.

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 1974.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Human Spaceflight at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Human Spaceflight
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear Manufacturer Air Lock Inc.
 Astronaut James B. Irwin
 Dimensions 3-D: 24.1 x 29.2cm (9 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.)
Other (neck ring): 9 3/4in. (24.8cm)
 Materials Bubble: Transparent polycarbonate
Neck Ring: Red adonized aluminum
Comfort/vent pad: Blue anodized aluminum with padded beta-cloth pad
Feed Port: Blue anodized aluminum w.velcro patch
 Inventory Number A19740132002 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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