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Apollo: Body Support System Frame for Impact-Load Attenuation Prototype, With Original Engineering Documentation and Test Phot...
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Sold on Dec 11, 2025 for:
$625.00
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Description
APOLLO TO THE MOON
Apollo: Body Support System Frame for Impact-Load Attenuation
Prototype, With Original Engineering Documentation and Test
Photographs. A large aluminum alloy prototype structural frame
measuring approximately 39" × 24", composed of bent and welded
tubular and channel sections drilled for attachment of fabric or
mesh restraints. The assembly was produced as part of NASA contract
NAS 9-1071, titled "Development of a Body Support System to Limit
Impact Loads." Included is an original prototype frame, with
integral gusseted corners and perforated mounts for tensioning
webbing or knitted restraint material; an assortment of original
NASA contractor reports, including the typed Final Report (August
1962) and Statement of Work drafts describing test objectives,
fabrication of "Somyk" (undrawn nylon) fabric supports, and
drop-tower evaluations of human-tolerance impact loads; and
black-and-white test photographs showing early body-support rigs
and anthropomorphic test dummies mounted to frames of identical
configuration during dynamic-impact trials. During the early 1960s,
NASA engineers faced the challenge of reducing landing and re-entry
impact forces on astronauts seated in confined crew modules.
Contract NAS 9-1071, awarded to an industrial textiles contractor,
explored the use of woven and knitted nylon as a flexible
suspension medium. The design anticipated features later seen in
Apollo command-module couches, lunar-module crew restraints, and
impact-attenuating test sleds. Six such sample supports were
reportedly built and tested; few are known to survive. A rare
surviving early Apollo engineering artifact, illustrating NASA's
pre-Apollo studies in impact-load mitigation and crew-safety
design. Age related wear and toning to documents and photos, actual
prototype fine.
Auction Info
2025 December 11 - 12 Space Exploration Signature® Auction #6326 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
11th-12th
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 105
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.
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