Saturn Apollo Program (1969-01-09)NASA
The name Neil Armstrong, first man to set foot on the moon, will echo throughout history. But it should also be remembered that those first few steps onto a celestial body other than our home planet were in fact the result of hard, collaborative work by thousands of people...
Photographing Neil Armstrong's Helmet (2018) by Jim PrestonSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
...not least in designing and manufacturing the equipment that got him there. Chief amongst this was the A-7L lunar space suit that Armstrong wore when taking those first few legendary steps. Scroll on for a closer, 3D look at this piece of engineering genius.
Neil Armstrong’s A-7L Lunar Spacesuit by ILC Industries Inc.Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
The lunar suit was designed to provide a life-sustaining environment when the astronauts were outside the main space ship or during unpressurized operations.
The suit was designed with maximum mobility and comfort in mind, and to be used for a maximum period of 115 hours at a time when in an unpressurized environment. It could be worn for 14 days in pressurized conditions.
The suit has two red and four blue connectors on the torso, as well as the Nasa logo, the name tag and the mission identifier.
A US flag is located on the left shoulder.
Some more views of the iconic space suit.
Neil Armstrong’s A-7L Lunar Spacesuit by ILC Industries Inc.Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
The plastic over-helmet is complete with a white beta-cloth cover. There is a clear plex pull-down visor with a metal edge, as well as a gold plated sun visor with three pull-down metal sunshades to protect the astronauts eyes from the sun.
The gloves were made using white beta cloth with blue rubber/polymer fingertips. The velcro flap on the upper surface allowed for adjustment and the blue wrist connectors ensured the suit was air tight.
The suit was constructed using 21 layers of fabric, protecting against temperature changes ranging from 130 degrees celsius during the day to -250 degrees celsius at night. A liquid cooling system kept the occupants comfortable.
A duct on the back of the helmet allowed for ventilation and provided the astronaut with a communication headset.
View of near full Moon photographed by Apollo 13 during transearth journey (1970-04-14)NASA
Want to know more about the moon landings?
You can find out more about Neil Armstrong and the Apollo missions here.
