InfoAnda - Museum battles to preserve moon suits for posterity

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

MySpace lays off nearly half its staff | 12 January 2011
Al Pacino honored in Venice, presents new film | | 5 September 2011
Nokia pulls plug on free music in most markets | | 17 January 2011

Clinton defends 'frustrating' U.S.-Pakistan relations | 24 June 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Museum battles to preserve moon suits for posterity

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Museum battles to preserve moon suits for posterity AFP - Thursday, July 16 WASHINGTON (AFP) - - They have travelled further than any fashion item on Earth, surviving a hostile environment and extremes of heat and cold on a world far from ours. But now age is catching up with NASA spacesuits. ADVERTISEMENT "There is a lot of decay," admitted sadly Cathy Lewis, curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, who is charge of looking after a dozen spacesuits worn on the Apollo missions. She even has under her care the suit worn by Neil Armstrong when he stepped out on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, and made history as the first man to walk on the moon. But she agrees the passage of time has not been kind to these historic artifacts. "They don't do well because of the light and the humidity," she said. "They are made out of 21 layers of synthetic material. They are brittle," she said, adding that over time an ongoing chemical reaction between the different materials in the suits still encrusted with moon dust was taking its toll. Displayed behind glass at the museum since the late 1960s, the spacesuits have been withdrawn to be restored or at least to halt the ravages of decay as the United States prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of the moon landings. "Most of them are in restoration, but we can put them on display in a controlled environment for a short period of time," said museum curator Allan Needell. The custom-fit suits are made of a complex mixture of Teflon, polyvinylchloride and latex laced with tubing all aimed at allowing the astronauts to carry out their missions in the harshest of all environments. Today's suits have interlockable pieces so that none of the astronaut's skin is exposed to space, while multiple layers help protect the astronaut from extreme cold and heat. It is waterproof, fire-resistant and also made of the same material as bullet-proof vests. Lewis said the spacesuits made for the 12 moonwalkers were "made for very hard conditions, but for a very short period of time." She said the gloves were coming apart, the metallic layers were rusting and the rubber joints were deteriorating. The suits only spent a few days on the moon, where temperatures oscillate between minus 150 degrees Celsius and 120 degrees Celsius. But they have spent the rest of the four decades in some of the nation's most humid places, like Houston, Texas, home to the Johnson Space Center; Florida, where the Kennedy Space Center is located; or the museum in Washington, known for its sticky summers. Lewis said that to preserve this part of history it is unlikely that the whole suits -- topped with a helmet with its visor blackened by a layer of gold to protect it from ultra-violet light -- will continue to be displayed. "We won't display them as a suit any more, but we hope to have the component on display in five years" such as gloves or boots if technicians manage to halt the decay she said. It depends on the funding, she added. The lunar lander is also undergoing a make-over. The four-footed module, which is seven meters high, is one of 12 constructed by NASA for the Apollo program which ended in 1972. The one on display never went into space but is identical to the others which were left on the moon when the astronauts returned to Earth. Along with the astronauts' footprints still imprinted on the lunar surface, the museum curators are anxious to conserve the site of the original moon landings, especially as NASA gears up for a return by 2020. "This is an actual artifact," said Needell of the landing site at the moon's Sea of Tranquility. "Let's hope the next ones won't put footprint over the old footprint at Tranquility Bay. I hope they will leave it alone," he said, worried that future generations of moonwalkers may try to remove pieces of history and sell them on eBay. "It's not abandoned property, it belongs to NASA," he stressed. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle New video shows Jackson's head catching fireAFP - Thursday, July 16 Iraqi 'rap royalty' takes to the Baghdad stageAFP - Thursday, July 16 Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 19-25AP - Thursday, July 16 Video of Jackson 1984 Pepsi burn accident surfacesAP - Thursday, July 16 LA mayor at center of Jackson donation flapAP - Thursday, July 16 Enlarge Photo This 1969 photo shows one of the astronauts of the Apollo 12 space mission conducting experiment on the moon's surface. The custom-fit suits are made of a complex mixture of Teflon, polyvinylchloride and latex laced with tubing all aimed at allowing the astronauts to carry out their missions in the harshest of all environments. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Space shuttle Endeavour blasts off from Cape Canaveral Coroners seek records from Jackson skin doctor Robert Redford marries in Germany: report Jackson wasn't ready for London comeback: father Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 16 July 2009
168 people killed in Iran fiery plane crash
Top Russian activist murdered in Caucasus
Brazilians spend more time on web than US users: poll
UK jobless rate strikes 12-year high
British army chief calls for troop rise in Afghanistan
Robert Redford marries in Germany: report
Twitter 'uncool', teen researcher tells investors
L.A. Blogger Sentenced To Home Confinement For Leaking GNR Album Online
Israel soldiers reveal 'shoot first' policy in Gaza
North Korea says no dialogue without respect for sovereignty | International |
Israel says Lebanon blast a secret Hezbollah cache | International |
UN quits rebel Georgian region as mission ends
Gadhafi says Iran nuclear program to be supported
Elizabeth Taylor Hospitalized
Top Russia activist killed in Caucasus: officials
168 killed in Iran plane crash
Abducted Russian activist found dead: reports
Reports: Michael Jackson's Death Being Treated As A Homicide
Bomb in Iraq's Sadr City kills 5, wounds 28 | International |
Black Eyed Peas, Hannah Montana Top iTunes Chart
Suicide bomber kills 6 in Iraq's Anbar province
Oldest woman to give birth dies in Spain: report
New York City's Central Park Launches Celebrity-Infused Audio Guide
Iran opposition leader plans new political front
Sudan: Progress on southern peace satisfactory | International |
Iceland's parliament aims for late vote on EU bid | International |
Apple Sells Over 1.5 Billion Apps In First Year
French kidnapped for cash not politics: Somali minister
Billy Bob Thornton's Daughter To Remain In Jail Until Court Hearing
Writer Claims "Lost" Was Ripped Off From His Work
L'Oreal heiress faces court scrutiny of huge gifts | International |
Jackson Told Daughter That Someone Was Going To Murder Him, Claims Author
Maura Tierney Releases Statement On Health Troubles
Amazon sued over Kindle, claim alleges breakage | Technology |
Website to publish sensitive hacked Twitter info | Technology |
Senator Ricky Ricardo? Coburn evokes Lucy show
Microsoft's Bing gains on Yahoo, Google | Technology |
NASA to make sixth attempt for space shuttle launch
Recession sends Americans to the Internet | Technology |
THE INFLUENCE GAME: NFL players lobby Capitol Hill
Taiwan air force grounds F-5 fleet after fatal crash
Obama, Iraqi prime minister to meet next week
Religion news in brief
Powerful quake hits off NZealand, tsunami warning over
Indian, Pakistani officials hold talks
AT&T in initial labor pact for Midwest | Technology |
Sotomayor refers to precedent on abortion
Ex-Sinopec chief given suspended death penalty
Sotomayor: Judges shouldn't worry about popularity
China's Xinjiang death toll rises to 192: state media
Penalty phase opens in Phoenix Serial Shooter case
India tightens security in Mumbai
Trade ties 'at stake' in China spy row: Australia
Suspected insurgents kill 2 in southern Thailand
Chinese car makers surge on govt subsidy scheme
Pakistan's 6-mth T-bill yield falls to 11.5151 pct
US, China announce clean energy research center
Filipinos overseas sent record $1.48B home in May
Oldest Honda plant shifts to meeting green demand
Harry Potter works box office magic at midnight | Entertainment |
US calls on China to open markets
Judge throws out Trump lawsuit over his net worth | Entertainment |
LG Display to invest $2.6 bln for flat screens
Moby, MTV join EU climate change battle | Entertainment |
China forex reserves hit record $2.13 trln: bank
2 police wounded in new attack near Indonesia mine
A list of shootings at Freeport's Indonesian mine
Rivalries could be behind Indonesia mine killings
China accused of trying to stop Uighur film in Australia
Cyprus tourist arrivals dive amid recession
Nightime showing of Harry Potter film 'unsafe' in China's Urumqi
Security suspected in Indonesia gold mine killings
'Morally dangerous' Bruno banned in Ukraine
'Birthday Sex' singer Jeremih sees Diddy success
Robert Redford marries German girlfriend
Oasis to kick off Benicassim festival in Spain
Top cable programs for July 6-12
Latest Harry Potter film wins Vatican approval
EU teams up with MTV on climate change
Israel anti-missile system passes live fire test
Germany, Russia talks: gas, economy to dominate
Recession driving Americans online
Black boxes recovered from crashed Iranian plane | International |
Fed sees end to recession, eyes exit strategy
U.N., U.S. move to increase pressure on North Korea | International |
Iranian plane crashes into field, killing all 168
Space shuttle Endeavour blasts off
Porsche denies report of CEO stepping down
Israel says Lebanon blast a secret Hezbollah cache
U.S. raises fair treatment in China after Rio case | International |
India, Pakistan PMs to meet, Mumbai attacks cloud talks | International |
U.S. says offer to talk with Iran is not open-ended
Pressure builds on Japan PM; calls to quit may grow | International |
Bombs kill 11 in Iraq, highlight security fears
Former S.Korean Pres. Kim Dae-jung critically ill: media | International |
Mousavi: Protesters' blood will not go in vain
List of plane crashes in Iran
U.S. commander consults Pakistan on anti-Taliban campaign | International |
Australia's worst case scenario 6,000 H1N1 deaths | International |
Bomb in Iraq's Sadr City kills five
UN says south Lebanon weapons cache a violation
Honduras reimposes curfew amid protest threat | International |
'Difficult choices' ahead on Iran: Swedish FM
Smoke like a Turk? No more | International |
Historic court pick Sotomayor faces final grilling
Obama's Supreme Court pick treads careful line
Pressure mounts on Japan PM to resign
Microsoft stores to open near Apple stores in fall | Technology |
US commission seeks China Xinjiang sanctions
Police: 'Fight Club' inspired NYC Starbucks blast
U.N. and U.S. move to increase pressure on N.Korea
Strong 6.1-magnitude quake hits off Papua New Guinea: USGS
Sotomayor sidesteps on abortion, guns in grilling
Government PR campaign targets Chinese Muslims
Sotomayor hearing: Testing, testing ... hello?
Puppy love blooms on India dog dating websites | Technology |
Many can cope with news of higher Alzheimer's risk
Pakistan sees momentum in ties with India
Recession sends Americans to the Internet | Technology |
House plan boosts taxes on rich to 20-year high
July is deadliest for US-led forces in Afghanistan
Indonesian mine attacked again, road closed
14 killed in clashes in Swat as refugees return
China's economy bounces back with strong growth
N.Korea says no dialogue without respect for sovereignty
SKorea's POSCO mulls Vietnam steel mill takeover
Taiwan dollar at near 2-week high on risk appetite
China economy grows in first half: govt
S.Korean bonds plunge on U.S. lead
Seoul shares open up on earnings hopes, U.S. data
NZ manufacturing improves in June
Japan may face deflation through 2011: IMF
Abu Dhabi awards $9.2 bln gas contracts to foreign firms
Chinese workers in Poland protest over unpaid wages
Porridge, pasta help Tour cyclists beat 'bonks'
Doctors probed by state in Michael Jackson's death | Entertainment |
US writer publishing novel a 'tweet' at a time
Michael Jackson rules pop charts for 3rd week | Entertainment |
Sotomayor, Franken both 'Perry Mason' fans
All-Star Game scores ratings home run | Entertainment |
Dave Chappelle show draws thousands in Oregon
Q&A: Entourage creator changes show's focus | Entertainment |
Court: O'Keeffe museum has no right to Fisk U. art
Redford weds German girlfriend in private ceremony | Entertainment |
Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss to play White House
Maxwell ends recording hiatus with No. 1 album | Entertainment |
Reggaeton stars donate $25,000 to building homes
Lucas, Spielberg richest of Hollywood rich men | Entertainment |
Review: `Death in Love' is deadly to watch
Labor Pains pays off thanks to Lohan, Hines | Entertainment |
Vatican Museums to test evening opening
Cox to sell Travel Channel: sources | Entertainment |
Bavaria opens way for a beer and a smoke
Technical glitch likely cause of plane crash: Iran
British bank Lloyds slashes 1,200 more jobs: union
Bollywood tweets, blogs for the fans
Khmer Rouge trial hears harrowing tribunal testimony | International |
'Contact lenses' for animals
Iran's Mousavi to attend Friday prayers
Chechnya activist's murder sparks international outrage | International |
UK's Brown calls on Afghan army to pull its weight | International |
Orthodox Jews trash streets over state interference | International |
Nepal to free child soldiers from Maoist camps | International |
Iran opposition leader to attend Friday prayers | International |
U.S. Capitol police say suspect killed near Capitol
Loving pooch nurses baby pandas in China: report
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 664
Japanese living longer than ever: govt
Refusing bailout for CIT, gov't draws line in sand
China hits back on Rio Tinto 'spy' affair
Army: Soldiers in slayings faced intense combat
Bill would spend more to make college affordable
China warns Australia over Rio Tinto 'spy' case
Jury recommends life sentence in 'Alpha Dog' case
UN official killed in NW Pakistan: officials
Fire engulfs historic textile mill in Maine
India, Pakistan resolve to fight 'terror'
Senator holds up EPA nominee over climate study
'Back from dead' Briton's dad quashes hoax claims
3 killed in small plane crash in Southern Calif.
Microsoft stores to open near Apple stores in fall | Technology |
Clinton aims to deepen partnership with India
Trial begins for mother accused of killing 4 girls
Thai 'Yellow Shirts' protest terror charges: police
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $12.24 bln
S.Korea LG Chem considers Daesan cracker expansion
China's economy grows 7.9% in stunning rebound
India's fraud-hit Satyam to restate accounts
Fitch cuts New Zealand rating outlook; kiwi tumbles
SKorean firms win lucrative orders in UAE
New video shows Jackson's head catching fire
India silent on Myanmar, eyes natural wealth
Museum battles to preserve moon suits for posterity
Seoul shares end higher led by techs, shipbuilders =2
30 Rock, Mad Men lead Emmy nominations | Entertainment |
Iraqi 'rap royalty' takes to the Baghdad stage
Singer Amy Winehouse and husband divorce | Entertainment |
Young authors tap adolescent angst in China
Harry Potter actor admits growing cannabis | Entertainment |
Top US officials to meet China PM on climate
French cheese comes to the Himalayas
Gentler `Bruno' to play in UK for younger teens
BBC's `Torchwood' returns with 5-part miniseries
Emmys boost nominees' field; who's the winner?
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01