APOLLO SPACE SUIT

1962–1974
Frederica, Delaware

A HISTORIC MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING LANDMARK

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

DelMarVa Subsection
 History of the
Apollo Space Suit This model would be used on Apollo 7 through Apollo 14
including the first lunar mission of Neil Armstrong and Buzz
International Latex Corporation (ILC) was founded in
Aldrin on Apollo 11. Further design improvements were made to
Dover, Delaware in 1937 by Abram Nathanial Spanel. Mr. Spanel
improve mobility for astronauts on Apollo 15 through 17 who
was an inventor who became proficient at dipping latex material
needed to sit in the lunar rovers and perform more advanced
to form bathing caps and other commercial products. He became
mobility exercises on the lunar surface. This suit was known as
famous for ladies apparel made under the brand name of Playtex
the model A7LB. A slightly modified ILC Apollo suit would also go
that today is known worldwide. Throughout WWII, Spanel drove
on to support the Skylab program and finally the American-Soyuz
the development and manufacture of military rubberized products
Test Program (ASTP) which concluded in 1975. During the entire
to help our troops. In 1947, Spanel used the small group known
time the Apollo suit was produced, manufacturing was performed
as the Metals Division to develop military products including
at both the ILC plant on Pear Street in Dover, Delaware, as well as
several popular pressure helmets for the U.S. Air Force.
the ILC facility in Frederica, Delaware. In 1975, the Dover facility
Based upon the success of the pressure helmets, the Metals was closed and all operations were moved to the Frederica plant.
Division, which became known as the Specialty Products Division
The Apollo suits were used on eleven missions from 1968 until
in 1955, began designing and manufacturing pressure suits when
1972 (see History Log) resulting in 158 combined hours on the
they were awarded a contract to supply a prototype suit for the
lunar surface. There was never a mission that had to be cut short
X-15 program. This suit was identified as the model XMC-2-ILC
or cancelled due to a problem with the Apollo space suits. They
suit. That suit was not selected to support the X-15 program but it
would go on to be the basis of iconic image of man on the moon
did possess excellent mobility when pressurized. This mobility was
in photos of Buzz Aldrin and the eleven others who traversed the
possible because of the advanced latex-dipped joints. Seeing how
lunar surface.
good the mobility was, the Air Force continued to award small
development contracts to ILC to further evolve this suit for other The displayed landmark Apollo suit at the ILC Dover company
possible uses. At the same time, there was a general agreement museum is the Model A7L, serial number 036, delivered to NASA
within ILC that a manned space program was on the horizon and in September, 1968. It was manufactured as a primary flight suit
that the ILC suit stood a good chance of beating any competition. for Astronaut Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin as a member of the Apollo 8
As fortune would have it, NASA requested that bids for the Apollo backup crew. Aldrin then used it as his primary training suit for
Lunar suits be submitted by December 1, 1961. This was for the the Apollo 11 mission where it played a critical role in helping
engineering design, development and construction of the pressure him develop skills for lunar exploration. The same model suit
suits to support the lunar missions. These would be the first was used on Apollo 11, the first successful lunar mission, during
autonomous extra-vehicular activity (or EVA) space suits used on which both Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first humans to set
an extra-terrestrial surface. Eight companies including ILC foot on the moon. This suit was later returned to ILC Dover by
submitted proposals. In March, 1962, ILC was selected as the NASA so that it could be modified as a training suit to support
winner of the competition with the model AX1L suit that was a Astronaut William Pogue for the Skylab Mission he flew in
direct outgrowth of the XMC-2-ILC suit. November 1973.

Since NASA was developing all of the Apollo systems including

the capsule and the Lunar Module at the same time that the ILC
Apollo suits were being developed, the suit design and
performance requirements became a moving target. Following
several variations of suit designs between 1962 and 1965, the
nearly final version began to appear in the model A5L suit. By
1968, ILC produced the final lunar version, the model A7L suit.

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION 1

 Engineering place to go so that the wearer is not compressing the air and as a
result, unnecessarily expending muscle energy. The solution came
Significance with the convoluted, latex-dipped joints that maintained a near
constant-volume enclosure around all of the flexible body joints.
For the Apollo astronauts who ventured into space Thus, when the suit was pressurized at 3.8 lb/in² (26 kPa) the
outside of their pressurized capsules and Lunar Modules, the suit provided excellent mobility. Steel cables along both sides of
hazards were severe. They included a hard vacuum, exposure to the convolutes as well as other key locations about the suit
cosmic and solar radiation, possible impacts by micrometeoroid restrained the growth when under pressure and provided added
particles traveling at high velocities and a range of surface security when astronauts were adding mechanical loads such as
temperatures between +/- 300 °F (+/-150 °C). At the same time, pulling and pushing on tools or bounding about on the lunar
these protective systems had to provide an excellent fit while surface.
permitting as much freedom of mobility as possible so all mission
plans could be carried out safely and successfully. One of the
more significant challenges was to keep the profile of the
pressurized suit as compact as possible so that the three
astronauts could comfortably operate side-by-side in the tight
Command Module. That meant that the suits served a dual-
purpose: both as an intravehicular activity (IVA) suit as well as an
Suit Operation
extravehicular activity (EVA) suit. Although the Command and The Apollo space suits provided all of the necessities and
Lunar Modules were pressurized during all phases of flight, if a life support required for autonomous operations on the
problem occurred during critical stages and pressure was lost, the lunar surface. Some of the main features included:
suits would keep the astronauts alive and possibly allow a safe
• Pure oxygen airflow at the continuous rate of 6 ft³/min
landing on Earth. They were designed to be used as a constant-
(170 LPM)
wear pressure garment for up to 120 hours should all pressure be
lost onboard the Command Module on its trip to the moon and • Suit pressurization at 3.8 lb/in² (26 kPa) (absolute pressure)
back. This required feed ports in the helmet and a pass-through
fitting for urine management. Other mission requirements • A continuous flow of cooling water provided to the liquid
included interfacing the suit systems with the space vehicles. cooling garment

The Apollo space suit consisted of three major components as • Radio communications back to Earth as well as signal
outlined in the Apollo Space Suit U.S. patent number 3,751,727, telemetry containing heart rates and suit conditions
filed in August 1968. They include: In addition to the time these suits spent on the lunar surface, they
1. The inner comfort liner were also used by several astronauts who stepped outside of the
Command Module into deep space as they ventured between the
2. An intermediate pressure garment assembly providing a earth and the moon so that they could retrieve science packages
controlled atmosphere within the garment without and film cartridges that were placed outside the vehicle.
excessively inhibiting astronaut mobility
Every part of the Apollo space suits served an important purpose.
3. The outer insulating and protective layer referred to as the The following sections highlight the most significant components.
thermal micrometeoroid garment (TMG) that contained
several layers of aluminized Mylar® and spacer fabrics to
reflect radiation as well as reduce thermal conductivity. This
was encapsulated by the outer-most Beta Cloth cover-layer
that provided fire protection

Arguably, one of the most important challenges was to provide an

encapsulating, pressurizable garment that permitted as close to a
full range of body-joint motion as in the nude condition. When an
elbow or knee bends, the fabric cylinder containing the
pressurized gas surrounding the joint has to allow that gas some

2 APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION

 the pressure closure and maintained structural integrity and
Suit
Torso-limb assured that the pressure closure was never structurally loaded.

Assembly A tether attachment bracket was provided on each side of the

waist where tethers from the floor of the Lunar Module would be
The overall sketch of the pressure restraint garment with attached to secure the astronauts when standing inside the Lunar
the outer cover-layers removed for clarity of the details is shown Module during the decent and assent. No seats were provided in
below. This was also referred to as the Torso-Limb Suit Assembly order to keep weight to a minimum. During the periods of zero-
or TLSA. It is a one-piece garment with all components integrated. gravity on descent and ascent and because of the possibility of a
The gloves and helmet were removable. The externally worn lunar rough landing, the tether would secure them in place at all times.
boots and the primary
life support system (or An electrical connector was
backpack) were also provided on the torso for the
separate components pass-through of the
assembled onto the suit communications system as
when leaving the Lunar well as biomedical signals
Module to walk on the that would be broadcast back
moon. to NASA doctors who would
monitor astronauts’ conditions.
The suit consisted of a
torso assembly onto Various steel cables were
which the arms, legs and integrated into the suit in
boots were permanently areas such as the outer and
integrated. These inner thigh and shoulders so
components were that the shape of the suit
custom-tailored for would be maintained at all
each astronaut based on times while maintaining the
hundreds of individual structural loading necessary
body dimensions. to assure that the suit would
Additionally, lacing cords provide complete integrity
were provided on the when stressed under pressure
arms and legs that and mechanical loads. The
allowed engineers to shoulder cable was routed
make minor sizing through a steel tube formed
adjustments based on to take the shape of the outer
input from the shoulder. This permitted the
crewmember during the full range of shoulder motion.
final fit check that took place just months or weeks prior to the
A bio-medical injection patch was provided in the event that the
launch.
astronauts had to give themselves a shot as directed by NASA
Upper-arm bearings permanently integrated onto the assembly flight doctors. The chances of doing so were remote and it was
were provided for both the Lunar Module pilot and the never used, but testing showed that the self-sealing soft
commander who would need all of the mobility possible when on durometer rubber would seal the hole when the needle was
the moon. The Command Module pilot did not have arm bearings removed.
since they took up precious width onboard the Command Module
Hardware attachment rings were provided for the helmet and
and were not needed for his activities.
gloves. The suited astronaut could easily attach or remove the
Two separate zipper closures were installed in the torso to allow helmet or gloves via the simple yet secure attachment system.
donning and doffing of the suit. The internal zipper was the
A urine collection and transfer connector was in place in the event
pressure closure that maintained oxygen pressure within the suit
of an extended period of depressurization in either module.
during operations. The outer zipper, or “slide fastener,” overlaid

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION 3

 Ventilation
System
The suit provided oxygen via one of two inlet gas connectors on the chest.
Oxygen would flow directly to the helmet through an internal vent duct thus
providing clean, pure oxygen at either 6 ft³/min (170 LPM) or 12 ft³/min (340 LPM)
based on the setting of a diverter valve also located on the chest. When connected to
the oxygen supply on board the Command or Lunar Module, the flow rate was 12
ft³/min (340 LPM) and the crewmember could divert 50% of the flow to the hands and
legs by rotating the diverter valve, with the other 50% directed to the helmet. The air
vent system integrated into the suit restraint provided the path for the oxygen flow both
in and out. When connected to the backpack on the lunar surface, the flow was limited
to 6 ft³/min (170 LPM) so that 100% of the oxygen was directed to the helmet. Two
outlet connectors on the chest removed the spent oxygen that was now mixed with the
exhaled carbon dioxide and added humidity. This spent gas was recirculated either
through the spacecraft or the backpack where the carbon dioxide and the humidity
were scrubbed out for recirculation.

When setting up the suits in preparation for the extravehicular walk on the lunar
surface, the astronauts attached oxygen hoses from the Lunar Module (both inlet and
outlet) while at the same time attaching to the inlet and outlet hoses of the portable
backpack. Once the pressure in the Lunar Module was reduced to the hard vacuum of
the moon and the suits were pressurized at 3.8 lb/in² (26 kPa), the backpack would
become the sole source for the suit pressure and the astronauts would disconnect from
the Lunar Module and descend the ladder to the surface. The suit inlet and outlet
fitting for the Lunar Module interface both sealed closed once the hoses were removed.
They would reverse the process upon reentry to the Lunar Module.

A pressure relief valve ensured protection in the event that the internal pressure
exceeded approximately 4.2 lb/in² (29 kPa), at which point the extra pressure would
be harmlessly vented.

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 Thermal Micrometeoroid
Garment
The outer cover assembly of the Apollo suit consisted DuPont, another Delaware-based company, led the development of
of many plied-up layers of materials that protected against many materials originally intended for use on Earth. However, with
micrometeoroid impacts, solar and galactic radiation, thermal their superior properties, many advanced synthetic materials were
conduction and abrasion. The outer cover also provided fire selected by ILC for the moon suits.
protection. This cover layer was securely attached to the pressure
garment during the production process and was not removable by
the crew. Because of that, it was also referred to as the “Integrated”
Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment or ITMG.

The outermost layer of the TMG consisted of a TeFlou® fabric

that provided good thermal radiation control and was slippery
to minimize dust accumulation. The second layer was known as
Super Beta Cloth. Following the Apollo 1 fire that took the lives of
three astronauts, ILC worked with NASA and Owens Corning to
develop this woven fiberglass fabric. This new material protected
against temperatures up to 1,200 °F
(649 °C) that could occur during
launch pad fires, thus giving the
astronauts a better chance to escape
the capsule. The Super Beta Cloth
yarns were coated with a Teflon®
extrusion prohibiting self-abrasion
during strenuous activity. The next
eleven layers consisted of alternating
plies of Mylar® film, Dacron® and
Beta Marquisette that worked together
to shield the astronaut against the
solar and galactic radiation on the
lunar surface. This combination of
layers also served as a barrier against
possible micrometeoroid impacts that
could strike the suit at a speed of
44,000 ft/sec (13.4 km/sec). If this
were to have occurred, these
microscopic particles would explode on
the suit’s surface, decelerate as the
finer particles moved through the
multi-layers and be absorbed by the
inner liner of the neoprene-coated
nylon fabric.

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 Lunar
Boots
The boot sole consisted of a molded silicone rubber with the
upper portion consisting of Beta Cloth and layers of aluminized Mylar®
and Dacron® spacer fabric as in the torso cover layer. In addition, the
boots were wrapped in a woven chromium steel fabric called
Chromel-R. This provided a cut-resistant protective barrier between
the astronaut’s pressurized boot and potentially sharp rocks that they
might come into contact with. A strap-and-snap assembly was used to
secure the lunar boots over the pressure garment boots.

Gloves
Each Apollo crewmember had one pair of neoprene natural
rubber dipped gloves that were structurally supported by
layers of Dacron® tricot cloth between dipping cycles.

The gloves also had wire cables integrated into them that would
maintain structural support while affording good flexibility in all
directions. The two crewmembers who performed the extra-vehicular
activities also had another similar pair of gloves that had a protective
cover of a multi-layer thermal barrier and an outer layer of the
Chromel-R chromium steel fiber cloth across the palm area and in the
fingers to prevent cutting should they come into contact with sharp
rocks, tools, etc. They also included silicone finger-tips tips to aid in
picking up objects.

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 Helmets
The polycarbonate pressure helmet was worn at all times when the
suit was in use.

The helmet provided a feed port in the event of an emergency

requiring long-term suit pressurization. A tube containing a paste-like food
nutrient could be inserted through the port where the astronaut could access
it by mouth.

Worn over the pressure helmet was the extravehicular visor assembly
or EVVA.

The EVVA had a latch device that would open around the lower front
section and allow it to pass over the pressure helmet and attach in place
for activities on the lunar surface. This unit had a protective visor made of
polycarbonate and another gold-coated polysulfone visor that could be
pulled down to shade the eyes from intense solar energy. It also included
a center eye shade that could be pulled down halfway as well as two full-
retracting side shades, all of which were opaque and could shield the
sun completely.

The backpack, the lunar boots, lunar gloves and the EVVA were all thrown out on the lunar surface
just prior to liftoff to offset the weight of the rocks collected for return to Earth.

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION 7

 Developmental Personnel

The credit for the development of this suit goes to those

engineers who had a vision of how to make pressurized suits
fit humans throughout their full range of motion while
providing protection under extreme conditions. Further credit
goes to the seamstresses who would take the engineering ideas
and sew the pieces of fabric together to function properly
while providing high reliability. In some instances, the
tolerance on a sewn seam was +/- 1/32 in. (0.79 mm). These
seamstresses knew that the suit they were assembling would
be the barrier between life and certain death if a failure
occurred. As one Apollo astronaut would write on a note to the
ILC seamstresses, “I would hate to have a tear in my pants
while on the moon.”

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The U.S. patent for the Apollo space suit recognized eight ILC Aside from the significant contributions from the talented
Inventors who were responsible for the early development of engineering staff, others played a major role. These include:
that suit:
Eleanor Foraker, Seamstress and Group Leader
Leonard F. Shepard, Program Manager, Apollo space suit
Ceil Webb, Seamstress and Group Leader
1965–1968
Roberta Pilkington, Seamstress
George P. Durney, Senior Development Engineer, Apollo space suit
Iona Allen, Seamstress
Melvin C. Case, Design Engineer
Clyde Wasylkowski, Quality Lead Inspector
A. J. Kenneway III, Design Engineer
Madeline Ivory, Quality Inspector
Robert C. Wise, Design Engineer
Tom Townsend, Model Maker
Dixie Rinehart, Design Engineer
Kenny Dennis, Model Maker
Ronald J. Bassette, Design Engineer
Sid Williams, Draftsman
Richard C. Pulling, Design Engineer

Other engineers not listed as inventors but just as significant

to the suit development throughout the program include:

Homer Reihm, Program Manager, 1968–1975

John Scheible, Design Engineer

John McMullen, Systems Engineer

Bob Wood, Design Engineer

At its peak in 1969, ILC employed almost 900 individuals, many of whom worked on the
Apollo program. It is impossible to list everyone here who played a significant role in the
success of the suits’ performance over the years. Those who did recalled years later how
magnificent it felt watching Neil Armstrong and the others step onto the lunar surface
wearing a garment they had a direct part in making.

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION 9

 History Log APOLLO 10 MAY 18–26, 1969
Thomas Stafford
John Young
MODEL A7L SUIT

The following is an outline of all Apollo missions that utilized

Eugene Cernan
the ILC A7L and A7LB model space suits.
PURPOSE: The Apollo 10 mission was intended to be a full-up lunar
landing mission with the exception of touching down on the
surface of the moon. Both Cernan and Stafford flew the lander to
APOLLO 7 OCT. 11–22, 1968 MODEL A7L SUIT within 8 miles (13 km) of the lunar surface in order to check out
Wally Schirra all systems. It was a success and paved the way for the Apollo 11
Walt Cunningham mission to follow. No EVAs were performed on this mission.
Don Eisele
PURPOSE: To test the Apollo Command and Service Module as well
APOLLO 11 JULY 16–24, 1969 MODEL A7L SUIT
as the control and guidance systems while in Earth’s orbit. There
Michael Collins
were no extravehicular activities (EVAs) on this mission. The suits
Buzz Aldrin
were used for launch and reentry. Disregarding strict procedures,
Neil Armstrong
however, Cunningham decided against putting the helmet on
during reentry due to a cold he was suffering from. This decision, PURPOSE: The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned landing and
in part, cost him the chance for any future Apollo missions. EVA using the Apollo suits. Both Armstrong and Aldrin spent a
total of 2 hours and 32 minutes walking on the lunar surface as
they tried out the suits and other equipment while gathering rock
APOLLO 8 Dec. 21–27, 1968 MODEL A7L SUIT samples to bring back to geologists. Armstrong reported that
Frank Borman moving around on the moon’s surface was perhaps easier than the
James Lovell simulations on Earth. As with the missions to follow, the lunar
William Anders boots, lunar visor assemblies and the back packs were thrown out
on the surface prior to liftoff from the moon to offset the weight of
PURPOSE: This was the first time humans traveled beyond the
lunar rock cargo.
gravity of Earth and ventured to the moon. This mission was a test
of all systems required to get us to the moon, orbit it and then
return successfully to Earth. The space suits were used for launch
APOLLO 12 NOV. 14–24, 1969 MODEL A7L SUIT
and reentry only.
C. Peter Conrad
Richard Gordon
Alan Bean
APOLLO 9 MARCH 3–13, 1969 MODEL A7L SUIT
James McDivitt PURPOSE: The Apollo 12 mission landed within 600 feet (183 m)
Dave Scott of the Surveyor 3 spacecraft that was sent there in 1967. Both
Russell Schweickart Conrad and Bean spent a total of 7 hours and 27 minutes on the
lunar surface gathering rock samples as well as parts from the
PURPOSE: The Apollo 9 mission was the first test of the Apollo
Surveyor for study back on Earth. Conrad lost his footing at one
space suits as well as the first to fly the Lunar Module (LM) in
point and actually fell but there were no problems with the suit,
outer space. This mission remained in low Earth orbit as
thus helping to validate its design and fabrication.
astronauts extracted the LM and docked/undocked with the
Command Module (CM) for the first time. Schweickart performed
a spacewalk between the CM and the LM while using the primary
APOLLO 13 APRIL 11–17, 1970 MODEL A7L SUIT
life support system (or backpack) and thus was not dependent on
James Lovell
any internal spacecraft systems – also a first. The total EVA time
Jack Swigert
in space was 37 minutes.
Fred Haise
PURPOSE: While approximately 200,000 miles from Earth and on
the way towards the moon, an oxygen tank ruptured onboard the
service module, putting an end to the lunar mission. The crew did
survive but other than launch and re-entry, the suits were not used
for any EVA activity.

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APOLLO 14 JULY 26–AUG. 7, 1971 MODEL A7L SUIT APOLLO 17 DEC. 7–17, 1972 MODEL A7LB SUIT
Alan Shepard Eugene Cernan
Stuart Roosa Ronald Evans
Edgar Mitchell Harrison Schmitt
PURPOSE: The Apollo 14 crew consisting of Mitchell and Shepard PURPOSE: Apollo 17 was the last mission to the lunar surface.
touched down at Fra Mauro, which was the intended landing area Schmitt was the only geologist to travel to the moon and as a
for the Apollo 13 crew. The total EVA time was 9 hours, 35 result he worked the suit very hard as he gathered samples from
minutes, split between two separate lunar walks. This crew used the surface and used tools that required a lot of energy and
orange stripes on the legs and helmets of the mission commander mobility. Both Cernan and Schmitt spent a total of 22 hours and
since otherwise the two suits looked alike on camera. On their 5 minutes in three separate EVAs. They both treated their suits
second excursion, the plan was for both crew members to venture roughly on this mission since previous experiences on prior
a total distance of 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from the LM which was missions led them to feel very secure. Out of all of the Apollo
determined to be as far as safely possible. Both astronauts took suits in the collection at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum,
turns pulling a small rickshaw designed to carry cameras and tools Schmitt’s is considered the dirtiest – still covered in lunar dirt –
necessary to study the lunar surface along the way. Also packed thus providing evidence that he did not pamper his suit. This was
on this rickshaw was a special 8-foot (2.4 m) long umbilical the only mission where the astronauts brought back their lunar
called the Buddy Secondary Life Support System, or BSLSS, that boots and did not leave them on the moon. They now reside in the
could connect both suits in the event that one of the suits’ cooling Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
systems failed. This umbilical would then connect between the
suits and share cooling water. Fortunately this was never an issue
and the mission was a success.

BEYOND APOLLO 17
APOLLO 15 JULY 26–AUG. 7, 1971 MODEL A7LB SUIT
Dave Scott NASA had originally intended to have an additional
Alfred Worden nine Saturn rockets and lunar landers beyond the first
James Irwin manned landing (Apollo 11) mission (up to Apollo
PURPOSE: Apollo 15 was the first crew to use the new A7LB version 20). However, due to budget concerns and a lack of
suit that provided improved mobility and permitted the crew to sit interest on the part of the Nixon administration, those
comfortably in the lunar rover that was used to expand the travel final missions were cancelled. The Apollo hardware
distance from the LM. A total of three EVAs were performed on that remained was used to support the Skylab and
the lunar surface for a total of 18 hours and 7 minutes. The rover Apollo-Soyuz Test Program (ASTP). Both of these
allowed the astronauts to travel a total of about 28 miles (45 km)
missions utilized a modified ILC manufactured Apollo
on the moon’s surface in order to collect some of the best rock
model suit.
samples including the Genesis Rock, believed to be from the
original lunar crust and more than four billion years old.
Only two years after the last ASTP mission that
utilized the Apollo-style suits, ILC secured the
APOLLO 16 APRIL 16–27, 1972 MODEL A7LB SUIT contract for the Space Shuttle EVA space suits. These
John Young suits went on to provide 248 EVAs totaling 1002
Thomas “Ken” Mattingly hours of safe operation. Routine Shuttle activities
Charles Duke included numerous satellite missions as well as four
PURPOSE: Young and Duke spent a total of 19 hours and 14 visits to the Hubble Space Telescope and the
minutes exploring the lunar surface during three separate EVAs. interaction with a countless number of external
This mission explored some of the most rugged terrain and the science experiments. Another notable accomplishment
suits performed flawlessly. Duke admitted after the mission that was the record setting accumulation of EVA time spent
he had trouble donning his suit for the EVAs because he did not
on building the International Space Station, where ILC
take into account during his suit fittings here on Earth the fact
suits are still in use today.
that his total body length would grow about 1.5 inches (38.1 mm)
due to the lack of gravity. As a result, he had to squeeze himself
into the suit more than expected. While building on the knowledge gained from Apollo
and the Space Shuttle EVA suits, ILC continues
to develop new space suits perhaps to be used some
day on the surface of Mars.

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION 11

 REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL READING

Lantry, Douglas N., “Archives and Collections, Dress for Egress: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Apollo
Spacesuit Collection”, The Design History Society, Journal of Design History Vol. 14 No. 4, 2001.

Lantry, Douglas N., “Man in Machine, Apollo-Era Space Suits as Artifacts of Technology and Culture”, The Henry Francis
du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc., 1995.

Young, Amanda, “Spacesuits”, PowerHouse Books and Smithsonian Institution, 2009.

De Monchaux, Nicholas, “Spacesuit, Fashioning Apollo”, The MIT Press, 2011.

Portree, David S., Trevino, Robert C., “Walking to Olympus: An EVA Chronology”, Monographs in Aerospace History
Series #7, 1997.

Shepard, Leonard F., et. al., “Space Suit”, US Patent 3,751,727; August 14, 1973.

Durney, George P., “Spacesuit Thigh Restraint Assembly”, US Patent 3,699,589; October 24, 1972.

Durney, George P., “Ventilation System for Inflatable Pressure Garments”, US Patent 3,667,459; June 6, 1972.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The nomination of the Apollo Space Suit as a mechanical engineering landmark was suggested by Raymond L. Jackson, then
chair of the DelMarVa ASME Subsection and was submitted by ASME member Scott L. Davidson, P.E. Special thanks to
William K. Ayrey, Quality Manager and Company Historian of ILC Dover for his dedicated efforts in providing and organizing
the historical information for the nomination and this brochure. Also thanks to ILC Dover for the financial support to make
this designation possible. The DelMarVa Subsection also thanks Wil Haywood of ASME Public Information and ASME History
& Heritage Committee members Richard Pawliger, chair, and Robert Woods for their encouragement and support.

12 APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION

 ASME OFFICERS
Madiha Kotb, President
THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE PROGRAM OF ASME William J. Wepfer, Senior Vice President,
Public Affairs and Outreach
Since the invention of the wheel, mechanical innovation has Michael S. Roy, P.E., Leader, District A
critically influenced the development of civilization and industry Thomas G. Loughlin, CAE, Executive Director
as well as public welfare, safety and comfort. Through its History
and Heritage program, the American Society of Mechanical
ASME HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Engineers (ASME) encourages public understanding of mechanical
Richard I. Pawliger, P.E., Chair
engineering, fosters the preservation of this heritage and helps
Thomas H. Fehring, P.E., Vice Chair
engineers become more involved in all aspects of history.
J. Lawrence Lee, P.E., Immediate Past Chair
In 1971 ASME formed a History and Heritage Committee Terry S. Reynolds
composed of mechanical engineers and historians of technology. Paul J. Torpey, Past President
This Committee is charged with examining, recording and Herman H. Viegas, P.E.
acknowledging mechanical engineering achievements of Robert O. Woods, P.E.
particular significance. For further information, please visit
http://www.asme.org. CORRESPONDING MEMBERS
John K. Brown
Marco Ceccarelli
LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS R. Michael Hunt, P.E.
Francis C. Moon
There are many aspects of ASME's History and Heritage activities,
one of which is the landmarks program. Since the History and
ASME DELAWARE SECTION
Heritage Program began, 254 artifacts have been designated
throughout the world as historic mechanical engineering Robert J. Blomquist, P.E., Chair

landmarks, heritage collections or heritage sites. Each represents a Lisa E. Drinnan, Vice Chair

progressive step in the evolution of mechanical engineering and its Michael Beron, P.E., Treasurer
significance to society in general. James L. Glancey, P.E., History & Heritage Chair
Eugene M. Catipay, P.E., Program Chair
The Landmarks Program illuminates our technological heritage and
encourages the preservation of historically important works. It
ASME DELMARVA SUBSECTION
provides an annotated roster for engineers, students, educators,
Raymond L. Jackson, Chair
historians and travelers. It also provides reminders of where
Scott L. Davidson, P.E., History & Heritage Chair
we have been and where we are going along the divergent paths
of discovery.
ASME STAFF
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions Roger Torda, Manager, Communications Projects
to real world challenges. ASME, founded in 1880, is a not-for- & Initiatives
profit professional organization that enables collaboration, Wil Haywood, Communications Coordinator
knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering
disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in ILC DOVER
society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, William Wallach, Chief Executive Officer
continuing education and professional development programs Patrick Owens, President
provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a Daniel Herring, Vice President, Finance
safer world. Bradford Walters, Vice President, Operations
Scott Patterson, Vice President, Sales and
Marketing

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 A HISTORIC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LANDMARK

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

APOLLO SPACE SUIT INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPORATION