ALSRC, Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container, Apollo 11
name: label: Manufacturer
content: Union Carbide, Nuclear Division
notes: label: Summary
content: The Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC) was an aluminum box with a triple seal manufactured by the Nuclear Division of Union Carbide. It was used on Apollo lunar landing missions to preserve a lunar-like vacuum around the samples and protect them from the shock environment of the return flight to earth. An aluminum mesh liner helped absorb impacts. Prior to flight, each box was loaded with sample container bags and other sample containment devices. The "rock box" was then closed under vacuum so that it would not contain pressure greater than the lunar ambient pressure. On the moon, while samples were being loaded, the seals were protected by a Teflon film and a cloth cover which were removed just prior to closing the box. Two ALSRC's were used on each mission.
label: Summary
content: This ALSRC was used in July 1969 during Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission, by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The sample-laden container was opened under controlled conditions in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory at the Houston Manned Space Center. It carried 21.8 kg (47.7 lbs) of lunar material from the Sea of Tranquility.
label: Summary
content: It was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian and placed on display in 1970, soon after its historic mission.
label: Alternate Name
content: Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC), Apollo 11
label: Key Accomplishment(s)
content: First Rock and Soil Samples Returned from the Moon
label: Brief Description
content: The Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC) is an aluminum box used on the Apollo lunar landing missions to preserve and protect lunar samples for the return flight to Earth. This ALSRC was used in July 1969 during Apollo 11, the first human lunar landing.
place: label: Country of Origin
content: United States of America
title: label: Title
content: ALSRC, Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container, Apollo 11
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Air and Space Museum Collection
label: Location
content: National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
label: Exhibition
content: Destination Moon
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Transferred from NASA, Johnson Space Center.
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Air and Space Museum
identifier: label: Inventory Number
content: A19710814000
objectType: label: Type
content: EQUIPMENT-Lunar
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Materials
content: 7075 AA aluminum case, 2024 aluminum alloy mesh lining
label: Dimensions
content: Overall (Closed): 9 1/4 in. × 1 ft. 2 in. × 1 ft. 7 in., 19.4lb. (23.5 × 35.6 × 48.3cm, 8.8kg)
label: Dimensions
content: 3-D: 48.3 × 35.6 × 20.3cm, 8.8kg (1 ft. 7 in. × 1 ft. 2 in. × 8 in., 19.4lb.)