Object Details
Manufacturer
NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Summary
For the Apollo 14 mission, a special instrument was provided that enabled the Lunar Module Pilot, Edgar Mitchell, to take rough measurements of the penetrability of the lunar surface. Referred to as the Apollo Simple Penetrometer (ASP), the shaft was provided with a conical tip and calibrated along its length with black and white markings. At three different locations, Mitchell, after attaching the shaft to an extension handle, first pressed it into the surface with one hand and called out how far it penetrated. He then pushed harder with two hands and reported the results.
This item was used for training and transferred to the Smithsonian in 1974.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19750057000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
EQUIPMENT-Lunar
Materials
Aluminum
Copper Alloy
Paint
Dimensions
3-D: 76 × 12.5 × 2.5cm (29 15/16 × 4 15/16 × 1 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Destination Moon
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19750057000
