Each Apollo mission was equipped with two rucksacks providing equipment to allow for crew survival for up to 48 hours while awaiting rescue in the water after landing. The first of the two rucksacks flown on the historic first lunar-landing mission, Apollo 11, in 1969, and it contained three water containers, one radio beacon with spare battery, three pairs of sunglasses, six packages of desalter chemicals, one desalter kit, two survival lights, one machete, and two bottles of sunscreen.
This combination flashlight was an important part of each rucksack. It has a flashlight, compass, mirror, four fishing hooks, needles and a knife blade. It is made of grey-painted steel with brass fittings, and was made for NASA by ACR Electronics.
The entire rucksack was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian along with Command Module "Columbia" in 1970.
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-Survival
Manufacturer
B. Welson & Co., United States of America
Dimensions
3-D (Light): 15 × 11 × 3.5cm (5 7/8 × 4 5/16 × 1 3/8 in.)
3-D (Compass): 12 × 2cm (4 3/4 × 13/16 in.)
Materials
Aluminum
Paint
Glass
Copper Alloy
Steel
Inventory Number
A19980011001
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA/JSC; must be offered back to NASA upon deaccession
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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