This is the longer of two styles of tongs used by astronauts on the lunar surface during the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions. These long tongs were designed to be carried in the tool carrier mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle (shorter tongs were carried by the astronauts and were used on the earlier missions). The tongs were used to pick up individual rocks smaller than 10 cm in size.
These tongs were used for astronaut training and were transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in May 1974.
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
EQUIPMENT-Lunar
Manufacturer
NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Dimensions
Overall: 32 in. tall x 5 in. wide x 4 in.deep, 0.5 lb. (81.3 x 12.7 x 10.2cm, 0.2kg)
Materials
Aluminum handle, stainless steel tines
Inventory Number
A19810704000
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA, Johnson Space Center.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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