The Apollo 11 suit cost an estimated $100 million dollars to develop. From 1966–1969, 35 people worked on the suit design, experimenting with fabrics, rubber, and metal to balance mobility, safety, and comfort.
The suit was designed to provide astronauts with pressure, cooling, protection, and life support in the vacuum of space. The suit was composed of 18 layers of materials, each serving a different purpose to help regulate pressure and temperature.
This included layers of Mylar, Kapton, and Nylon. The total cost of the suit system was between $5,000 and $10,000 per unit and was easily the most expensive item aboard the Apollo 11 mission.
How much did Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 jacket sell for?
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 space suit jacket sold for an astonishing $191,000 at a Julien’s Auctions event in California. The auction, which was held on April 12th 2019 at the Proud Galleries in London, saw the jacket up for grabs along with 8 other historical pieces of memorabilia from the 1969 moon mission.
The lot featured a total of nine items of the astronaut’s items, including Aldrin’s very own personalized Apollo 11 silk embroidered mission patch and an Apollo 11 ‘Blue Team’ patch, inscribed with Aldrin’s name and the mission’s iconic dates—July 16, 1969 and July 24, 1969.
The jacket itself had previously been owned by television producer Chuck Tompkins before being auctioned. It bears the name and mission insignia of the Apollo 11 mission patch, as well as ‘Buzz’ embroidered inside and a personal note from the astronaut.
The bidding for the jacket started at around $50,000 and eventually went up to the winning bid of $191,000.
What was the cost of moon suit?
The exact cost of a moon suit isn’t known as the Apollo era suits were developed by, and the cost classified by, the US government. Different parts of the suit were manufactured by various companies, and prices were kept secret at the time.
In general, the Apollo 11 suit cost more than $250,000 when adjusted for inflation, and other suits from the same era likely cost in the same ballpark.
Even though the cost of the Apollo suits was expensive when compared to today’s space suits, the cost for a space suit today isn’t necessarily much less. Newer space suits are more technologically advanced, but the development cost of these suits is high due to the materials, testing, and engineering required.
A modern space suit would likely cost upwards of a million dollars, depending on the mission requirements and materials chosen.
What did Apollo 11 smell like?
Apollo 11 did not have a distinct smell during its mission, as the astronauts were enclosed in spacecrafts and wore their spacesuits with helmets for the majority of their mission. However, the smell of ozone may have been present during their rendezvous with the Command Module, due to the engines used to slow their approach to the lunar module and the resulting exhaust.
Additionally, some of the pieces of equipment used inside the spacecraft, including the environmental control system, may also have had a slight odor. Yet, the smell was so slight that it was not reported by the astronauts on board.
Who bought Buzz Aldrin space jacket?
Buzz Aldrin’s iconic Apollo 11 spacesuit was bought by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in 1971. The suit had been created at the ILC Dover plant in Delaware, and was donned by Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
It is the same suit that was worn when Aldrin set foot on the moon, and it is a piece of history that cannot be replaced. The Smithsonian felt privileged to have the chance to purchase this piece of American history, and they paid a mere $375 USD for it.
It was inducted into the National Historic Landmark Collection shortly after the purchase. Now, the suit is kept in the National Air and Space Museum as an iconic reminder of the incredible achievement made by the Apollo 11 team.
Aldrin has since created a foundation, the ShareSpace Foundation, which works with the Smithsonian to help inspire younger generations about the exploration of space. It truly shows that Aldrin left a lasting impact on stewardship in space.
How much did moon dust sell for?
At a Sotheby’s auction in July of 2019, a tiny vial filled with less than a teaspoon of lunar dust sold for an astonishing $855,000 USD. The vial was reportedly taken from Apollo 11, the first mission to ever land on the moon in 1969.
After almost 50 years, the lunar dust was sold in an enduring reminder of an extraordinary scientific and human achievement. The rare item was sold to a private buyer and is the only publicly known sample of lunar matter to be sold at an auction.
How Much Is a Apollo 11 gold coin worth?
The amount of a Apollo 11 gold coin is dependent on its condition, print date and its type. Generally, gold coins are seen as collectibles and their value could also be impacted by their rarity, so the exact amount of a Apollo 11 gold coin is hard to estimate and can vary significantly.
That said, the 2009 United States Mint coin honoring the Apollo 11 mission and the first moonwalk, which are twenty-four karat gold coins, can be worth approximately $1,300 to $2,000 depending on their condition and if the coin comes with its original box and papers.
Similarly, gold-plated coins, available in fractional and full ounces, were issued to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in 2009 and can be worth $50 to $75 depending on their condition.
What did Apollo cost in today’s dollars?
The total cost of the Apollo program through 1973, when the last Apollo mission returned, was estimated to be around $25. 4 billion US Dollars (USD). In today’s dollars, that would be equivalent to approximately $156 billion USD, taking into account inflation.
This includes the costs associated with the spacecraft, the launch vehicles, ground operations, and the support of several astronauts. The Apollo mission also involved over 400,000 people working in the program, leading to additional labor costs.
This cost is further increased when adding in adjusters that factor in the opportunity costs and economic cost of the resources used to develop, test, and eventually launch the Apollo mission.
Why is astronaut suit expensive?
Astronaut suits are incredibly expensive because they perform a very specific, invaluable function: keeping astronauts safe while they are in space. The fabric used to construct the suits is strong and lightweight, designed to protect astronauts from the vacuum of space and hazardous debris.
The suits also include sophisticated communications and life support systems for maintaining an ideal environment for the astronauts. In addition, astronaut suits are designed to protect astronauts from solar radiation, which can cause serious harm to astronauts in space over time.
Finally, the technology to construct the suits and all of its parts is both complex and expensive. All of these factors combine to make astronaut suits very expensive.
How much does a real astronaut suit cost?
The cost of a real astronaut suit can vary significantly depending on factors such as the manufacturer, the kind of suit, and the purpose. A basic suit made by companies such as Oceaneering International or Orlan Space Technology can range from $200,000 to $250,000.
Suits made by more advanced companies like ILC Dover that supply suits to major space organizations such as NASA and the European Space Agency, can range from $400,000 up to $12 million for more sophisticated designs, such as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) used by astronauts on the International Space Station.
The EMU offers protection from extreme temperatures and radiation, and can provide oxygen and water for up to eight hours during a spacewalk. Additionally, for ambitious space missions, suits designed for deep space exploration can cost upwards of $20 million.
What is special about astronaut suit?
Astronaut suits are specially designed and constructed to provide astronauts with the necessary protection from extreme temperatures in space, as well as from radiation and other environmental hazards they may encounter while in space.
The exact design of the suit is tailored to the specific mission the astronaut is undertaking, and the features and capabilities it provides depend upon the duration of their mission and the environment they will be working in.
Astronauts must wear a pressurized suit while in space and in the vacuum of space, the suit provides the astronaut with oxygen, as well as protection against any sudden changes in cabin pressure, as well as protection from cabin fire.
Additionally, the suit provides proper immunity from radiation and other environmental threats, such as dust, debris, and extreme temperatures. Astronaut suits also have features designed to enable mobility, such as the use of joint locks, to enhance the range of motion and movement of the astronaut’s limbs.
Specialized tools can also be attached to the suit for extra protection or to aid in the completion of tasks during certain mission activities. Lastly, astronaut suits are designed for comfort, durability, and a range of sizes, to fit astronauts of all different body types.
What is the most expensive part of a spacesuit?
The most expensive component of spacesuits is the Portable Life Support System, commonly referred to as PLSS. This component of the spacesuit provides the astronaut with breathable air, temperature control, protects them from radiation, and collects waste and humidity.
This component of the spacesuit is the most expensive because of the complex technology and materials required. The PLSS includes items such as a Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, an Oxygen Purge System, an Oxygen Regulator, an Oxygen Supply, Carbon Dioxide Absorbers, and a Fan Pump Assembly.
All of these components rely on advanced technology to keep the astronaut safe and comfortable in space. Additionally, the costs associated with development and supply of the components are high because of the need to regularly update and maintain them for use in space.
How many years does a space suit last?
The lifespan of a space suit depends on the type of suit, how it is used and its frequency of use, and whether it undergoes periodic maintenance and repairs. Generally, a space suit designed for advanced missions can last up to 10 years if it is properly maintained, while those designed for shorter missions or simple tasks usually have shorter life spans of up to three or four years.
However, it is important to note that relying solely on the age of a suit can be misleading because the quality and lifetime of a suit is affected by more than its age. For example, a space suit that has gone through several repair cycles or is subjected to harsh environmental conditions can have a much shorter life span than its expected age.
Consequently, it is important to thoroughly inspect a space suit before each mission to ensure its performance and safety.
Can a space suit RIP?
No, a space suit cannot rip. The material used to make space suits is extremely durable and resilient to wear and tear. It is designed to withstand the harsh environment of space, which includes extreme temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, micrometeorite impacts, and other environmental hazards.
The space suit’s fabrics, such as the reinforced urethane-coated polyester film, are specifically designed to be resistant to extreme temperatures and tear-resistant. Additionally, the outermost layer of a space suit is made from fire-resistant materials, such as aramid fabrics and aluminized polyesters, which also helps ensure that it won’t rip.
How cold is it in a space suit?
The temperature inside a space suit typically ranges from 71 – 76 degrees, Fahrenheit (or 21 – 24 degrees Celsius), though it can get much colder depending on the environment. If you’re working in an especially cold environment, you may need to wear additional layers to stay warm.
Additionally, the temperature and humidity inside the suit may not be as regulated as it is on Earth since the air supply is limited—especially for prolonged operations and spacewalking—so it could get either colder or warmer depending on the amount of oxygen available and physical exertion.
Therefore, it’s important to make sure the temperature and air quality inside the suit is checked and monitored regularly.
