LUNAR SURFACE HAND TOOLS
Apollo astronauts had many tasks to perform during their brief moonwalks. They erected scientific equipment, made precise observations of conditions on the lunar surface, and collected samples of the Moon's soil and rocks.Specialized tools for collecting lunar samples were carried to the Moon in the descent stage of the Lunar Module. The tools are made of stainless steel and aluminum.

Displayed here are tools used in astronaut training programs and exact replicas of tools carried on lunar missions..

Contingency Sampler With Folding Handle
Used by astronauts to collect a soil sample immediately after they stepped from a lunar module to the surface. This insured that a sample would be returned to Earth even if astronauts had to curtail their surface explorations.

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-- -- TIMELINE -- --


Racing to Space
The Moon decision
To reach the moon
Apollo 11
Later Apollo missions
What we learned about the Moon
After the Apollo Program


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http://www.nasm.si.edu
Created: 7/99