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Lot 57
NASA A6L PROTOTYPE SPACESUIT.
8 April 2014, 13:00 EDT
New YorkUS$8,000 - US$12,000
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NASA A6L PROTOTYPE SPACESUIT.
Early stage two-piece A6L spacesuit Thermal Micrometeroid Garment (TMG) Cover Layer Jacket and Trouser Assembly, "A6L-205050-01, SN 016" and "017", Latex International Corporation, 1967. Consisting of an outer layer of high temperature resistant nylon (HT-1) as a protective layer, two alternating layers of perforated aluminized mylar and marquisette spacer, five layers of perforated aluminized mylar separated by layers of unwoven dacron for thermal protection, followed by one layer of neoprene coated ripstop for micrometeroid impact shock absorption. JACKET: 34 inches long, neck with 9½ inch tall collar, chest with two 8 by 5 inch velcro loop patches extending from pectoral area to top of shoulders, right arm with velcro patch stowage pocket, left arm with a 2 by 1 inch rectangular port near wrist, both wrists with velcro adjustors. Sturdy 25 inch-long metal-tooth zipper running from chin to waist with two pull tabs, each with nylon and velcro pull, two 6½ inch-long ports at chest on either side of zipper, 24 by 13 inch zipper guard flap sewn down on left side and attaching with velcro on right side, flap with central pouch with 1 inch wide port covered with beta cloth flap, two interior elastic and snap-hook fasteners (which attach to D-Rings on waist of pants). Two interior 6 by 1 inch velcro loop strips running along lower part of spine. TROUSERS: 38 inches long. Elasticized waist, 4 by 2 inch velcro hook patch at back of waist-band, D-rings on left and right side of waist-band attached with webbed nylon, snap-hook attached to area between crotch and waist band with webbed nylon, left leg with 36 inch long plastic-tooth zipper running complete length from waist-band to ankle, pull tab with nylon and velcro pull, zipper with 36 by 4 inch guard flap sewn down on right side and attaching with velcro on left. Right leg with 26 inch long plastic-tooth zipper running partial length of leg from upper thigh to ankle, pull tab with nylon and velcro pull, zipper guard flap sewn down on left side and attaching with velcro on right side. Jacket and trousers both with Latex International Corporation labels detailing serial and model numbers, jacket label dated 2/67, trousers 3/67. Both labels marked "Class III" with red pen.
Manufactured by the Latex International Corporation, the A6L was essentially the flight version of the A5L suit, and was designed to prevent micrometeroids from puncturing the inner pressure bladder worn by astronauts during EVAs. Until the tragic Apollo 1 fire in 1967, the A6L was the suit configuration intended for use on the lunar surface. The fire triggered a review of the suit's design, which resulted in modifications including a beta-cloth fire-protection layer, as well as the suit being changed from a two piece into a one piece configuration. The A6L configuration never ended up being used on the lunar surface, and essentially became an Apollo training and developmental stage for the A7L series of suits. The A7L's first flight use was on Apollo 7, and first EVA use during Apollo 9.
Manufactured by the Latex International Corporation, the A6L was essentially the flight version of the A5L suit, and was designed to prevent micrometeroids from puncturing the inner pressure bladder worn by astronauts during EVAs. Until the tragic Apollo 1 fire in 1967, the A6L was the suit configuration intended for use on the lunar surface. The fire triggered a review of the suit's design, which resulted in modifications including a beta-cloth fire-protection layer, as well as the suit being changed from a two piece into a one piece configuration. The A6L configuration never ended up being used on the lunar surface, and essentially became an Apollo training and developmental stage for the A7L series of suits. The A7L's first flight use was on Apollo 7, and first EVA use during Apollo 9.