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Fastenings: Velcro

Copyright © 2007 by the Editors of Working on the Moon.
Last revised 4 October 2007.


Contents


1.   Summary
2.   Lessons
3.   Velcro Fouled by Dust
4.   Adhesive Failure
5.   Snack Pouch, Drink Bag, Nose Scratcher
6.   Velcro Use in the Command Module
7.   Velcro Use in the Lunar Module
8.   Velcro Straps
9.   Lunar Extravehicular Visor Assembly (LEVA) Velcro
10. Oxygen Purge System (OPS) Velcro
11. Portable Life Support System (PLSS) Back Velcro
12. PLSS Tool Harness (also known as the Tool Carrier) and Sample Collection Bags (SCBs)
13. Suit Velcro
14. Descent Stage Equipment Stowage and Offloading; Miscellaneous Equipment
15. Modular Equipment Transporter (MET) and Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) Velcro
16. Shuttle/ISS Experience

1. Summary

Velcro was used in many contexts during Apollo.  In both the Command and Lunar Modules, it was used to secure checklists and miscellaneous small piece of equipment to instrument panels or bulkheads for easy viewing or access.  On the lunar surface, it was used to keep suit pockets closed or open, to secure Sample Collection Bags (SCBs) and other gear to the PLSS tool harness, to secure antenna leads on the Rover or for such spurposes as hanging the Cosmic Ray Experiment from a convenient landing gear strut, securing dust covers on the Rover, and securing wristwatches, small mirrors, and cuff checklists to the suit sleeves.

2. Lessons

2.1  Generally speaking, Velcro was used successfully -  provided that a particular Velcro patch did not become dust clogged, that the adhesive used to attach the patch to a particular surface was properly chosen and applied, and that the patches of Velcro hooks and pile were properly aligned and mated. On occasion, the astronauts had trouble separating Velcro pieces, complaining that "too much" Velcro had been used in particular applications.

2.2  Dust could be a problem for Velcro when used

(a) low on the suit legs;

(b) on the floor of the LM cabin where dust collected after being brought in on the suits; and

(c) on the Rover when failure of a fender allowed wheel-generated roster tails to shower the Rover with dust.  A strap sewn to the bottom of the PLSS and used to secure SCBs on the Rover missions was particuarly prone to dust clogging.

2.3  There was two notable instance of adhesive failure and three minor ones:

(a)  A thermal bag designed to protect the Surface Electrical Properties receiver was mounted behind the LMP's seat on Apollo 17.  Cover flaps were intended to protect the radiating surface on the top from dust during drives from one geology stop to the next.  The adhesive used to attach Velcro patches to the body of the thermal bag failed and, as a consequence, the astronauts were unable to keep the radiator clean enough to prevent the receiver from overheating.  Because the receiver was regularly hotter than its design limit, little useful data was collected;

(b) The half-full SCB on John's PLSS tool harness came off during the drive from Station 9 to Station 10.  Fortuantely, it wedged between the rear fender and the Rover frame, where he found it after dismounting at Station 10.  The bag had been secured with a Velcro strap with one end sewn to the bottom of the PLSS.  The free end was then passed thru a fabric loop on the bag and secured to the bottom of the PLSS with Velcro.  A better solution might have used a strap sewn onto each SCB, a loop on the PLSS, and a Velcro and/or snap fastening on the SCB;

(c) There was a failure of the adhesive used to secure Velcro to the portion of the TV sunshield that was, in turn, mated with Velcro surrounding the TV lens.  John Young discovered that the sunshield was loose late in EVA-3.  Although the sunshield was loose, a Velcro strap between the top of the sunshield and the top of the TV lens barrel kept the shade from entering the TV field=of-view.  Once Young had parked the Rover at the VIP site, he was asked to remove the sunshield, perhaps to avoid any possible interference when the camera was later titled upward to follow the LM ascent;

(d)  Adhesive holding two of three Velcro patches designed to hold a traverse map on the handle assembly of the Apollo 15 Modular Equipment Transporter (MET or "rickshaw") failed; and one of the astronauts had to carry the map. This was not a significant problem in the context of Apollo 14.

(e) Adhesive holding Velcro patches that secured straps to special padded sample bags used on Apollo 16 failed.  The straps would have provided extra security for keeping the bags closed, but the inability to used the straps has no particular consequences.

2.4  During Apollo 15 EVA-2, Dave Scott had difficulty using his drink bag, probably because of improper positioning.

2.5  During the Apollo 11 Technical Debriefing ( Section 18.6.2 ), Mike Collins noted that he suffered eye irritation from broken pieces of Velcro hooks that floated around the cabin in zero gravity.  Because no mention of such a problem appears in the later Mission Reports, a change in materials and or manufacturing may have been made to reduce or eliminate the problem.




3.  Velcro Fouled by Dust


Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 12
EVA-2 Egress
131:35:05 During EVA-2 Egress, Pete Conrad comments that an unidentified  piece of Velcro "doesn't hold worth a hoot".  Possibly Velcro on a pocket flap on his suit leg is fouled with dust.  See the photo essay about Pete's flown suit.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 traverse, marginal tool harness Velcro
147:35:23 John puts a new SCB on Charlie's PLSS just before they leave Station 8 and says, "That Velcro held.  I'm really surprised."  The strap that ssecures the bottom of the bag is sewn on the bottom of the PLSS and, at this point, has been in uses for 1 1/2 EVAs.  It may be more vulnerable to dust fouling than any Velcro application.  A better solution might have been to use a strap sewn on the SCB that would pass thru a loop on the PLSS and be fastened with Velcro and/or a snap on the SCB.
Apollo 16
Post-EVA-1 in the cabin
126:37:37 Charlie says in the Tech Debrief that the Velcro on the floor got 'caked' with dust and that they stood on jett bags to keep from getting dust on their feet, then into the suit, and finally into the air stream.


4.  Adhesive Failure


Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 14
EVA-2 Traverse, velcro patches on MET handle
132:09:02 Ed notices that two of three pieces of Velcro, glued on the MET handle - or "tongue" - to hold the traverse maps, have come off. This suggests failure due to heating of the adhesive.  According the the Apollo 14 Mission Report, the two pieces that came off "had been glued on a surface having a different finish than the one to which the (remaining piece of) Velcro adhered."  See, also, discussion of adhesive failure on the cover of the Apollo 17 SEP receiver thermal bag.  See, also, Section 3.7 in the Apollo 14 Mission Report.
Apollo 16
EVA-3 traverse, padded bag straps
168:02:25 The Velcro comes off a padded sample bag. On page 61 of Judy Allton's Catalog of Apollo Lunar Surface Geological Sampling Tools and Containers, Figure 90 shows a padded sample bag and, on the right, part of a Velcro strap.  See, also, Figure 14-64 from the Apollo 16 Mission Report.  As with the typical individual sample bag, the top was reinforced with aluminum bands and tabs.  After the bag was closed, the top was rolled toward the bottom and the tab were bent inward.  The Velcro strap "further ensured that the bag would not come open."  At 168:04:39, John tells Houston that the Velcro came off both bags and, consequently, that "we weren't able to put them tight like they are supposed to be." See a discussion following John's report about the failure of both Velcro closures.
Apollo 16
Padded sample bag
Mission Report
Section 14.4.10
Incorrect bonding adhesive was used for the Velcro hook patch.
Apollo 16
TV Sunshield
169:20:59
From NASA document "AP16 Problem and Discrepancy List, dated 26 June 1972: "The sun shade is secured in place by Velcro hooks on the sun shade and Velcro pile on the camera. The Velcro pile is sewn in place on the television blanket. The Velcro hooks are held to the sun shade with an adhesive. A discrepancy report was written during qualification testing of the sun shade because the adhesive would not hold during pull test.
Lunar surface photographs verified separation occurred between the sunshade and Velcro cemented to the sunshade. For Apollo 17 it is directed that stiching or brads be added to prevent this occurence."  Photos of the sunshield and the Velcro pile on the camera can be found at the link in the preceding column and in the LRV Velcro section below.
Apollo 17
EVA-1 closeout, SEP Receiver bag
123:17:15 During the EVA-1 close-out, Jack notices that there is no Velcro holding down the SEP receiver's thermal cover.  He will re-examine the SEP receiver at the start of EVA-2.
Apollo 17
EVA-2 prelims, SEP Receiver bag
140:47:54 Jack discovers that the Velcro adhesive holding the SEP Receiver cover flaps closed has failed.  Gene first notices the loss much later, at 146:52:14 as they are about to leave Station 5, late in the EVA.  See additional description at 164:01:35
Apollo 17
EVA-2 closeout, SEP Receiver bag
147:15:19 Houston wants to understand exactly what Velcro problems there are with  the SEP receiver bag.  Throughout the discussion, CapCom Bob Parker and Gene have trouble understanding each other.
Apollo 17
SEP Receiver bag
Drawing of the SEP Receiver bag The Velcro pile patches came off because of an adhesive failure.  Gene tells Houston that the patches that hold the covers open are "full of dust".  Gene eventually confirms that the patches holding the back of the bag to the receiver case are secure.
Apollo 17
SEP Receiver bag
Mission Report
Section 15.4.2
Diagnosis with diagram.


5.  Snack Pouch, Drink Bag, Nose Scratcher




Drink Nozzle and Food stick

Training photo of Gene Cernan



The Apollo 15, 16, and 17 crews had snack pouches and drink bags secured inside the suit neck ring to get them through the eight-hour EVAs.  Some of the astronauts had small patches of Velcro on the inside of the emergency feedport for nose scratching


Mission

Activity or Topic

Time, Image, or Source



Notes

Apollo 15
EVA-1 Traverse preps
121:31:55 Dave said that the snack pouch was Velcroed inside the neckring.
Apollo 15
EVA-1 traverse, return to the LM
124:03:16 Dave comments that he was unable to get a drink from his water bag during EVA-2 because the bag came loose.  The Apollo 15 Mission Report ascribes Dave's problem - and Jim's inability to get a drink during any of the EVAs - to improper bag positioning by the crew due to inadequate training.
Apollo 16
Post-landing activities, Drink bag
106:49:33 Charlie remembered the drink bag being Velcroed inside the next ring.
Apollo 16
EVA-1 preps, Improper drink bag installation
Mission Report
Section 9.8.4
During EVA-1 preps, John installed his drink bag in the suit after he had donned the suit; as a result, the Velcro securing the bag was not properly mated and the drink bag nozzle pulled free.  He was unable to get a drink during EVA-1.
Apollo 17
EVA-1 prep
116:40:24 Gene remembers that both the drink bag and "candy bar" pouch were Velcroed inside the neck ring.
Apollo 17
Nose scratcher
163:39:18 Jack said, "We had a piece of Velcro put on the inside of the helmet that we reached over and scratched our nose on.  Everybody seemed to agree that you needed that." Jack flown bubble helmet has a small piece of Velcro on the inside of the feedport.  Some of the other helmets also have patches, but not all.  Mission Report Section A.3.1 mentions that Gene had a patch on his feedport.



6. Velcro use in the Command Module


Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 11
Translunar coast, TV assembly
Technical Debrief
Section 6.18
Commenting on assembly of the color TV and monitor for use in the docked CM/LM, they used tape rather than the suppiled Velcro because that allowed them to get the two closer together.
Apollo 11
Temporary equipment stowage
Technical Debrief
Section 25.2
Buzz took some Velcro off a food pack and put it on his scissors to make them easier to handle.  Buzz also comments about the utility of Velcro patches on the bulkheads above/behind the head rests of the righthand and lefthand couches for temporary stowage.  Could have used more.
Apollo 16
Fecal collection
Mission Report
Section 9.14.6
Velcro was used to position all the necessary gear for this messy, time-consuming job.



7.  Velcro use in the LM Cabin


Mission

Phase, Activity, or Topic

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 11
Push-to-Talk Comm
105:26:08 The PTT button was Velcrod to the suit thigh. 
Apollo 11
Temporary Stowage prior to descent
Technical Debrief
Section 8.2.28
With regard to activities associated with LM undocking prior to landing, Buzz commented, "The little piece of Velcro on the feed port worked quite well; just slapping it down on the ascent engine cover."  The Velcro (hooks) on the outside of the feed port cover is shown in a photo of Buzz's IV helmet.  Page 166 in Scott Sullivan's Virtual LM shows Velcro strips on the top of the descent engine cover near the front.
Apollo 11
Lunar Equipment Conveyor (LEC)
Pre-Flight Photo
 S69-37994
The inner bag was held together with Velcro.
Apollo 12
LEC deployment
115:19:45
Pete pulls the LEC out of its stowage bag improperly and spends a minute and a half on the porch getting it properly configured.
Apollo 15
EVA-1 prep, floor Velcro strips
119:41:53 Jim mentions Velcro "straps" on the floor and may mean the "strips" mentioned by others.  Page 141 in Scott Sullivan's Virtual LM shows Velcro strips on the floor. Photos of the soles of the flown suit boots shows large Velcro patches which would have mated with the strips on the floor to help with stability during flight ops.
Apollo 11
PGA Boot
S69-38889
Velcro patches on the soles of the PGA boots.  For the EVAs, treaded lunar boots were put on over the PGA boots.  The Velcro patches on the PGA boots were probably intended to mate with Velcro strips on the LM cabin floor.
Apollo 16
EVA-1 post, Floor Velcro strips
126:37:37 Charlie says in the Tech Debrief that the Velcro on the floor got 'caked' with dust and that they stood on jett bags to keep from getting dust on their feet, then into the suit, and finally into the air stream.
Apollo 16
Floor Velcro, attempts to clean
Mission Report
Section 9.8.3
Impossible to clean the strips on the floor.  "Since the Velcro does not restrain the crew to the fllor in zero gravity, it is not needed."
Apollo 17
EVA Prep-and-Post cards
137:53:07 These cue cards were Velcroed to the instrument panel so that they would have to handle checklist books


8. Velcro Straps




Straps on Al Bean's sleeve

A detail from Apollo 12 training photo S69-55366
shows Al Bean's wrist watch and cuff checklist secured to his left sleeve.



Velcro straps of various lengths were used to secure watches, cuff checklist, and small mirrors to the suit sleeves, to secure antenna leads on the Rovers, etc.


Mission

Phase, Activity, or Topic

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 11
EVA Prep
108:55:40 Wristwatches were worn on the suit sleeve, secured with a long Velcro strap. Because the LM cabin timer had failed, Neil left his watch in the cabin, secured to the AOT (Alignment Optical Telescope) with the Velcro strap.
Apollo 12
EVA-1 egress
115:15:47 Like the wristwatches, the cuff checklists flown from Apollo 12 onward were secured to the suit sleeve with a long Velcro strap.  See a photo essay about the flown Apollo 12 checklists.
Apollo 14
EVA-1 Prep
111:33:16 Ed Mitchell comments about the watch strap.
Apollo 15
EVA-1 Station 1
122:13:12 On arrival at Elbow Crater, Dave Scott pulled the gnomon out of the stowage bag attached to the back of his Rover seat, and found that the Velcro attachment at the bottom of the bag wasn't secure.  See training photo 71-HC-722
and mission photos AS15-85-11411, 412, 422, 471. In a detail from 422, the bottom of the gnomon bag is clearly not attached to the back of Dave's seat and we can see what appears to be a Velcro loop or strap intended for that purpose.
Apollo 16
UV Astronomy Camera
119:46:52 The UV Camera task list was attached to the instrument with a Velcro strap.
Apollo 16
BSLSS bag
120:15:17 Charlie secures the BSLSS bag to the back of his seat with a Velcro strap.
Apollo 16
BSLSS bag, EVA-2 Station 6
146:27:57 Just before they leave Station 6, Charlie notices that the BSLSS bag isn't securely fastened to the back of his seat.
Apollo 16
Cosmic Ray Experiment deployment
Mission Report
Section A.4.1
A Velcro strap was used to hang the experiment from a landing gear strut so that the dectector sheets directly faced the Sun with minimum obscuration.  The experiment cover was hung in the shade, facing away from the Sun. A detail from AS17-140-21381 shows the strap on the sun-facing portion.  AS17-140-21383 documents the shaded portion.
Apollo 17
EVA prep, wrist mirrors
163:19:53 Gene says they each wore a mirror, secured to the sleeve with a Velcro strap.  A strap on Jack's right wrist, visible in a detail from AS17-134-20425 may be his mirror strap.  Photo AS17-134-20380 may show Gene's.
Apollo 17
LRV deployment, high-gain antenna lead
118:06:54 The high-gain antenna lead is Velcroed to the high-gain mast  See a detail from AS17-134-20453.
Apollo 17
EVA-3 traverse, low-gain antenna lead
164:34:45 During the drive to Station 6, they mention that the low-gain antenna lead is no longer Velcroed to the accessory staff on Jack's side of the console and is "getting in the way" - posibly of Gene putting LRV sampler bags in the SCB attached to the staff.  A detail from AS17-136-20760, taken at Station 1 during EVA-1, shows the lead and Velcro strap apparently not attached.  They may not have secured the lead during LRV set-up.  A second detail from AS17-134-20453, taken at Station 9 late in EVA-3, shows the lead on Gene's side of the console, possibly attached to the low-gain mast.



9.  Lunar Extravehicular Visor Assembly (LEVA) Velcro




LEVA Velcro

Detail from Apollo 17 training photo 72-HC-699 shows A tool harness strap secured to the left side of both Jack's and Gene's LEVAs. An identical strap is attached on the right side of each LEVA. At the back of each LEVA, we have a glimpse of Velcro closures over  the astronaut's neck. There are similar closures at the front, as can be seen in a close-up photo of Jack's flown LEVA.


On all the missions, after donning the bubble helmets, the astronauts donned the LEVAs and made sure the front and back closures were tidy and secure.  On the Rover missions, the astronauts also Velcroed harness straps to the LEVAs.  Once outside, they sometimes did more tidying.  Making sure the patches of Velcro pile and hooks were accurately mated helped keep them clean.


Mission

Phase

Time or Image

Notes

Apollo 15
Preparations for ALSEP offload
124:07:34 Back at the LM after the EVA-1 tranverse, Dave Scott removes tools and collection bags from the side of Jim Irwin's PLSS and "tidies" Jim's Velcro, making sure that the male and female strips are mated to help keep them clean during ALSEP offload and deployment. Jim returns the favor at 124:09:25.
Apollo 15
EVA-2 close-out
147:15:21 Back at the LM after the EVA-2 traverse, Dave removes Jim's tools and tidies his Velcro
Apollo 16
EVA-1 prep
118:37:57 John makes sure that the Velcro at the back of Charlie's LEVA is properly positioned.  Charlie returns the favor at 118:39:39.
At 118:41:19, Charlie secures John's tool harness.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 prep
142:18:14 Charlie checks the back of John's LEVA; then John checks Charlie's.
Apollo 16
EVA-3 prep, helmet and LEVA donning
165:12:07 Charlie works on John's helmet,  LEVA and tool harness.  He has trouble getting the helmet aligned, apparently because of a "patch of Velcro back there".  Gets LEVA Velcro at 165:14:08. John gets Charlie's starting at 165:15:32.  John also has trouble with some Velcro at the back.  The tight confines of the LM cabin don't help.
Apollo 17
EVA-1 prep
116:43:49 Jack secures Gene LEVA at the back.
Apollo 17
EVA-3 prep
163:17:36 Jack secures Gene LEVA at the back.



10.  Oxygen Purge System (OPS) Velcro



A13 OPS top surfaces


Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 12
EVA-1  prep
114:36:27 The OPS hose and actuator may have been Velcroed to the OPS prior to donning.  See the photo above and 70-HC-77 and 70-HC-80
Apollo 15
EVA-1 prep
119:47:07 Jim says the antenna tie-down was a Velcro loop.
All Missions
Antenna tie-down
PLSS/OPS diagrams
Apollo 16
EVA-1 close-out, antenna tie-down 125:38:39 John secures Charlie's OPS antenna, saying he's going to "Velcro it down". John uses virtually the same words during EVA-3 close-out at 170:10:35.
Apollo 16
EVA-3 traverse prep, antenna tie-down
165:41:12
Charlie raises John's OPS antenna  and gets the "Velcro down".
Apollo 15
EVA-1
120:03:11 Dave mentions a "snap" associated with the OPS antenna, which puzzled Jim in 1989.  In 1995 correspondence, Dave and I concluded he probably noticed a loose snap - perhaps on the tool harness - unrelated to the OPS antenna.
Apollo 17
EVA-1 prelims
117:17:42 Once they are both on the surface, Gene and Jack raise each other's OPS antenna.



11.  Portable Life Support System (PLSS)  Back Velcro




Back of Buzz's PLSS

Detail from AS11-40-5942 showing Buzz's PLSS and the two columns of
horizontal Velcro strips that were a feature of all the flown PLSSs


Each of the PLSS had two columns of horizontal Velcro strips on the back.  Ken Thomas, a member of Hamilton Sundstrand's Space Hardware Heritage Team and author of U.S. Spacesuits (2006, Springer-Praxis), writes "The white cover - or Thermal Meteoroid Garment -  on the PLSS was designed and fabricated by Hamilton Standard (now Hamilton Sundstrand), Windsor Locks, CT.  In zero gravity, if an astronaut wished to look out the Lunar Module windows, he would have difficulty keeping position.  Where his feet would be was the rack where the CDR PLSS and both OPSs were stored. In zero-G simulations, someone damaged an antennae on an OPS mounted in the rack of the simulator."

Apollo 11 OPSs and CDR PLSS


"Because the astronauts were already wearing booties with Velcro hook on the bottoms, patches of Velcro pile could be placed on the back of the CDR PLSS and the tops of the OPSs to provide a crew member with places to anchor his feet so he would not floating around and potentially damaging things while he was doing visual positioning or recreational star gazing.  Once the Velcro was there, additional uses for sample bags and tool pouches were found as the missions evolved."  The LMP's PLSS was stowed on the cabin floor next to the hatch.  These also had Velcro strips, perhaps in the interest of interchangability.



Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 14
EVA-1 Prep
112:09:49 Ed Mitchell remembers that the Velcro strips on the back of the PLSS used for temporary storage of hoses during donning and doffing
Apollo 15
EVA-1 Traverse preps
121:15:38 TV of the Velcro strips on the back of Dave's PLSS



12.  PLSS Tool Harness (also known as the Tool Carrier) and Sample Collection Bags (SCBs)


PLSS Tool Carrier



Mission

Phase or Activity

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 17
EVA-1 preliminaries
117:19:12 Jack re-configures Gene's tool harness. "Somebody (Jack, himself?) tied you on wrong, too.  They've got the strap reversed for the Velcro."  The suggestion is that, during EVA preps in the cabin, Jack installed Gene tool harness improperly.
Apollo 17
EVA-2 prelims, tool attachment
141:16:33 While stowing a core-cap dispenser on the left (?) side of Jack's PLSS at the start of EVA-2, Gene comments, "Oh, man, does that Velcro get tough."  See 72-H-1226.
See, also, a detail from AS17-145-22165, which shows Jack in motion at Station 5.
Apollo 17
Training, tool attachment
72-H-1226 Shows Gene securing tools to the left side of Jack's PLSS during training.
Apollo 15
EVA-2 prelims
142:58:47 Dave's comments that "they" put too much Velcro on the tool harness, PLSS, or SCB - or all three?
Apollo 16
EVA-1 close-out, loose straps
125:28:35 Houston notices some loose straps on Charlie's tool harness and asks John to secure them (with Velcro) before Charlie goes up the ladder.  Charlie then checks John's straps.  Figure 14-62 (above) from the Apollo 16 Mission Report shows tool harness details.
Apollo 17
EVA-1 close-out
123:19:46 They have removed each other's SCBs and are tidying the Velcro, presumably making sure the loose end of the strap on the bottom of the PLSS is securely Velcroed.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 traverse preps
143:20:24 Charlie is strapping the bottom of an SCB to John's PLSS.  He comments that, "if there was just a patch of Velcro on these bags and one on your PLSS, you wouldn't have to worry with that strap."  Reaching the retention strap, threeading it through the loop on the bottom of the SCB, and mating the Velcro on the strap with the Velcro patch on the bottom on the PLSS is challenging in the inflated suit.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 traverse, Station 6
146:27:31 At Station 6, John notices that the bottom of Charlie's SCB isn't secure.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 traverse, Station 8, SCB change, marginal Velcro
147:35:23 John puts a new SCB on Charlie's PLSS just before they leave Station 8 and says, "That Velcro held.  I'm really surprised."  The retention strap that ssecures the bottom of the bag is sewn on the bottom of the PLSS and, at this point, has been in uses for 1 1/2 EVAs.  A better solution might have been to use a strap sewn on the SCB that would pass thru a loop on the PLSS and be fastened with Velcro and/or a snap on the SCB.
Apollo 16
Station 8, SCB change
147:38:58 Charlie changes John's SCB and is frustrated by the amount of time it takes.
Apollo 16
EVA-2 traverse
148:59:16 John discovers that the SCB fell off his PLSS during the drive from Station 9 to Station 10.
Apollo 16
EVA-3 traverse, departing Station 11/12
168:05:52 Charlie puts SCB-7, which is full, on the side of John's PLSS and makes sure that it is secure and that the tool harness is tight.  During the drive toward the LM from Station 9, a half-full SCB fell off John's PLSS but, fortuantely, wedged between the fender and the Rover frame. They don't want this full one coming off.  The Velcro mentioned here is probably on the retention strap that secures the bottom of the SCB to the bottom of the PLSS
Apollo 17
EVA-2 close-out
147:21:50 Jack removes Gene's SCB
Apollo 16
SCB attachment
Mission Report
Section 9.8.2
"The rover load-up procedures were adequate and no difficulty was experienced except with the sample container bags and the method of attachment of the bags onto the portable life support system tool harness (sec. 14.4.8). During each attempt, it was very difficult to attach the bottom Velcro (retention) strap to the portable life support system tool harness. A more efficient means should be devised whereby the bags could be positively retained on the tool harness."
Apollo 16
SCB attachment
Mission Report
Section 9.8.4
"The sample collection bag attachment to the tool harness was unsatisfactory.
On one occasion, one half-full bag of rocks fell off the tool
harness and, fortunately, lodged between the rear fender and the frame of
the lunar roving vehicle. Because the Velcro is subject to clogging with
dust, the manner in which it is used to attach the bags to the portable
life support system tool harness will not assure positive retention of the
sample collection bags on the portable life support system tool harness.
This is discussed further in section 14.4.8."
Apollo 16
SCB attachment
Mission Report
Section 14.4.8
Because dust could clog Velcro on the bottom attachment strap and allow it to come loose, the upper hook attachment was redesigned for Apollo 17 so that, if the bottom did come loose, the bag could not bounce off the harness.



13.  Suit Velcro



The astronauts used sewn-on and/or strap on leg pockets in various combination.  Most of the  cover flaps were held open or closed with Velcro.



Strap-on Shin Pocket


Strap-on shin pocket displayed on Charlie Duke's training suit.
The open flap reveals the Velcro that would keep it closed.




Mission

Activity or Topic

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 11
EVA, Contingency Sample into suit pocket
109:36:33 Flaps on leg pockets held open or closed with Velcro.  See, also, the photo essays linked below.
Apollo 14
EVA-1, suit pocket photo
AS14-66-9233 Mission "tourist photo" of Ed Mitchell showing Velcro strips used to hold the thigh pocket flap closed.
Apollo 15
EVA-2, suit pocket photo
AS15-92-12425 Shows Velcro strips on the inside of the open cover of the pocket on Jim's left thigh and the strips with which they mate for closure on the body of the pocket.  Jim is digging a trench and has just thrown a scoopful of dirt back between his legs.  Below mid-thigh, his legs are encrusted with dirt.
Apollo 15
EVA-2, open pocket
AS15-85-11500 Shows the open pocket cover on Dave's right thigh.  Dave may be about to step to his right to take the second frame of a cross-Sun stereopair.
Apollo 16
Strap-on shin pockets
Strap-On Shin Pockets Close-ups of pockets displayed on Charlie's training suit.
Apollo 13 Fred Haise, pre-flight suited portrait S69-62238 Each of the suits had a pattern of Velcro strips and snaps surrounding the connector cluster on the torso for the installation of a "dust bib" or "umbilical cover".  None of the bibs was ever used on the Moon; and there are none that appear in the stowage lists.
Apollo 16
Palm-restraint access flap
Charlie's Left EV Glove Velcro closure on the palm-restraint flap
Apollo 11
Post-flight Suit
Photo Essay
Neil Armstrong's Flown Suit
Photographs of  details of the Pressure  Garment Assembly (PGA) and LEVA
Apollo 11
Post-flight Suit
Photo Essay
Buzz Aldrin's Flown Suit Photographs of  details of the Pressure  Garment Assembly (PGA) and LEVA
Apollo 14
Post-flight Suit
Photo Essay
Ed Mitchell's Flown Suit Photographs of  details of the Pressure  Garment Assembly (PGA) and LEVA
Apollo 17
Post-flight Suit
Photo Essay
Jack Schmitt's Flown Suit Photographs of  details of the Pressure  Garment Assembly (PGA) and LEVA




14.  Descent Stage Equipment Stowage and Offloading; Miscellaneous Equipment



Mission

Activity or Topic

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 11
Scientific Equipment (SEQ) Bay and Quad I
110:52:47 Deployment tapes secured with Velcro
Apollo 15
MESA thermal blankets
120:05:10 Dave discovers that the MESA blankets have been secured with both Velcro and tape, which makes removal difficult.  He comments that, if both are necessary, they ought to train with both.
Apollo 16
MESA thermal blankets
119:42:21 Charlie has trouble releasing the Velcro on the MESA blankets.  See, also, his comment after 119:43:15
Apollo 16
MESA thermal blankets, TV views
125:25:20 Some of the Velcro closures on the MESA blankets can be seen in the TV at about 125:26:30, which is about 1 min 10 seconds into the clip.  John closes the blanket at 125:28:03.
Apollo 17
ALSEP Central Station thermal curtains
119:49:04 Jack has trouble with the Velcro securing the Central Station thermal curtains and commented later, "The four corners of the thermal curtain were sealed with Velcro, and it never worked very well.  Because of the Apollo fire, we had to have Teflon Velcro; and that just isn't very good Velcro."
Apollo 16
ALSEP deployment
121:07:07 Charlie has trouble releasing the Velcro on the core stem bag.  Too much Velcro.
Apollo 16
Contact Sampler
147:56:47 There is Velcro to hold the Contact Sampler open while it is in use. They close the Contact Sampler at 148:02:11.
Apollo 16
Deep core transfer bag
124:59:41 The deep core sections went in a bag with snaps and Velcro.
Apollo 17
SEP transmitter deployment
122:59:28 Jack mentions that it is fortunate that they decided to Velcro some 'tabs' associated with the SEP transmitter and/or the cable reels.  Where that Velcro might have been in unknown.





15. Modular Equipment Transporter (MET) and Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) Velcro




Velcro for attachment
            of TV sunshield/sunshade


This image shows the TV mounted on the LRV Qualification Unit that is on public display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.  It shows a Velcro patch on the top of the lens barrel and an additional Velcro around the lens that were use to secure the TV sunshield/sunshade that was first flown on Apollo 16.  See, also, a larger version of this photo, an alternate view from above the camera, and a detail from AS16-106-17381, which shows the sunshield as installed.  A detail from AS16-117-18752 shows a short strap fixed to the top of the sunshield which undoubtedly mated with the Velcro on top of the TV lens barrel.  Qual Unit photos courtesy Allan Needell.  A second Qual Unit is on public display at Space Center Houston.  It has a sunshield installed, as shown in a detail from a photo by Mike Gentry.




Mission

Activity or Topic

Time, Image, or Source

Notes

Apollo 14
EVA-2 Hatch Closure
135:38:57 Ed Mitchell notices a piece of Velcro off the MET lying on the door sill as they prepare to close the hatch at the end of EVA-2.
Apollo 15
LRV seat deployment
120:28:59 Both Dave and Jim have trouble raising their LRV seats against the resistance of the Velcro, particuarly because the vehicle is so lightweight on the Moon.
Apollo 16
LRV seat deployment
119:28:59 During LRV deployment, Charlie tries to release the Velcro holding his seat back down and tells Houston that, instead of the Velcro coming loose, he lifted the whole vehicle off the ground.  John  commented, "the people that put Velcro in don't know its strength, that's the message, Tony."  See some detailed Tech Debrief comment following 119:29:33 and  120:08:16
Apollo 16
EVA-2 prelim, LRV seat
143:07:41 Charlie apparently has trouble raising John's seat bottom and suggests that they "need less Velcro".
Apollo 17
LRV seat deployment
117:37:44 Gene and Jack raise the Rover seats without any comment about any unusal effort.
Apollo 17
LRV seat bottom
118:11:03 Jack mentions Velcro used to hold the seat bottom up, out of the way, against the seat back when items were being placed under the seats for stowage or being removed for use. Procedures for seat deployment are shown in Figure 2-9 in the LRV Handbook, including the Velcro strap which would secure the raised seat bottom.
Apollo 15
LRV battery covers
Mission Report
Section 8.2.5
The covers "must not have been closed tight enough against the Velcro edges" during the EVA-2 traverse.  This allowed excess dust acclumulation and heating during the rest period.
Apollo 16
LRV battery covers Mission Report
Section A.3.2
As a result of Apollo 15 experience, Velcro was added to the covers to increase protection from dust.  No problems were reported during either Apollo 16 or 17.
Apollo 16
EVA-3 traverse, TV sunshield
169:20:59 Late in the EVA-3 traverse, after reaching Station 10-Prime, John reports that the "glue" securing Velcro to the TV sunshield had failed. NASA document "AP16 Problem and Discrepancy List" dated 26 June 1972 includes the following: "The sun shade is secured in place by Velcro hooks on the sun shade and Velcro pile on the camera. The Velcro pile is sewn in place on the television blanket. The Velcro hooks are held to the sun shade with an adhesive. A discrepancy report was written during qualification testing of the sun shade because the adhesive would not hold during pull test.
Lunar surface photographs verified separation occurred between the sunshade and Velcro cemented to the sunshade. For Apollo 17 it is directed that stiching or brads be added to prevent this occurence."
Apollo 16
EVA-3, TV sunshield
170:30:52
CapCom tells John to remove the TV sunshield and throw it away.  There may be concern that, when Ed Fendell tilts the TV upward to follow the LM ascent, the loose sunshield could block the field-of-view or, perhaps, disturb the camera.
Apollo 16
LRV footrests
119:32:36 The transcript indicates that  the footrests were Velcroed into the deployed position.
Apollo 16
LCRU thermal blankets
Mission Report
Section A.3.3
As a result of Apollo 15 experience, Velcro added to permit covering the LCRU control panel for thermal protection between the EVAs.
Apollo 16
LCRU thermal blankets
119:59:52 Charlie has trouble releasing the the Velcro holding down the LCRU blankets.  Neither he nor John nor the Apollo 17 crew mentioned any subsequent problems.
Apollo 17
EVA-3 close-out, "big bag"
170:34:12 The big bag was a long version of the SCB. Gene has trouble securing the Velcro that keeps the "big bag" closed.  Jack comments that it "never had a very good closure on it." Jack suggests that the weight of the contents is keeping it from holding. A detail from  AS17-143-21924 shows the big bag on the inside of the gate at the back of the Rover.
Apollo 17
Training, TV suhnshield
KSC-72PC-499
Side view of the sunshield Velcro attachment on the one-g LRV trainer.


16. Comments on Shuttle/ISS Experience


Shuttle astronaut Thomas D. Jones, author of Skywalking and a veteran of four Shuttle flights including three EVAs to install the ISS Destiny module, provided the following comments about his experiences with Velcro:

"Velcro in free fall is very effective. Nearly every loose object we use has a Velcro tab or dot on it so we can stick it to a panel or wall. Locker fronts and flight deck panels have patches of Velcro pile to accept the hook-type dots on pencils, notebooks, etc."

"We secured cables using those Velcro strip tie-downs that you wrap back on themselves. They are so good at wrapping things up that you can tear your fingers trying to get the strips apart again. I took to wearing thin leather gloves during any kind of unpacking or stowage work so I didn't get my hands torn up by all the hook Velcro we would inevitably encounter on stowage bags, cables, and surfaces."

"The orbiter crew cabin has safety (fire) standards saying how closely one may place Velcro patches...to avoid putting too much flammable stuff on cabin surfaces."

"On EVA, we don't use Velcro much. It degrades in the atomic oxygen environment, and gets brittle and crumbly. I believe we only use it to hold fabric pieces of the suit in place...glove gauntlets, the crew patch and flag on the suit, and to close the little cover over the umbilical receptacles on the chest pack (DCU). That Velcro is only exposed for a few hours outside on any mission. On the ISS, some fabric thermal covers are held down to the hull by Velcro, but the patches are not exposed to the raw environment...they are on the underside of any covers. To hold everything else, we use tethers or copper wire ties."

"One last example: the orbiter hatch thermal cover is held closed over the metal hatch by Velcro around its circumference. When I first opened the hatch on EVA 1, I had a very tough time opening that thermal cover, held closed by several linear feet of tightly engaged Velcro. I finally had to use a fist to punch one small strip open, then karate chop my way around the rim of the cover to force the Velcro apart. I worked so hard at it that my visor began to fog. Velcro is tough stuff."

With reference to Jack Schmitt's negative review of the Teflon Velcro used during Apollo, Tom Jones's comment that safety considerations dictate a minimum spacing between Velcro patches in the Shuttle suggests that Teflon Velcro is not used in the Shuttle.





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