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Lithium Hydroxide Canister, Command Module, Apollo 11

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer
Airesearch
Summary
The lithium hydroxide canister was designed as a replaceable filter for the command module's environmental control unit (ECU). The ECU provided cooling, water and breathable oxygen for the astronauts’ suits and cabin. Two canisters were present in the oxygen system at all times and were alternately replaced, one every twelve hours. To maintain a safe pure-oxygen environment, the canisters contained lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and charcoal and were covered by a felt cloth barrier. The LiOH within the canister absorbed carbon dioxide, the charcoal eliminated odors, and the felt trapped particles and debris.
This filter was flown and deployed at Mission Elapsed Time 171hrs:35min in the Command Module "Columbia" during the historic Apollo 11 lunar-landing mission in July 1969 and transferred to the Smithsonian in 1970.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19791599000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Life Support
Materials
Aluminum, Paint, Plastic, Synthetic Fabric, Adhesive
Dimensions
3-D: 18.4 x 13.3 x 18.4cm, 0.4kg (7 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in., 13/16lb.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19791599000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv92dd42182-e567-4108-a8e2-2693821e893e

Related Content

  • Apollo 11

    Air and Space Museum
  • Human Spaceflight

    Air and Space Museum
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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