Prev heroicrelics.org
Apollo: When We Went to the Moon Site Index
Apollo A7L/A7LB Pressure Helmet Assembly ("Bubble Helmet") Gallery
Next

dscd4567.jpg

One exhibit consisted of the various layers of the Apollo space suit helmet, including the "bubble" helmet itself, a lunar extravehicular visor assembly (LEVA), and a gold-plated LEVA sun visor.

The accompanying sign reads


Increased Protection and Greater Visibility

The Apollo Helmet

The Apollo Pressure Helmet Assembly, or "Bubble Helmet," connected to the neck of the space suit, allowing Apollo astronauts a full range of motion, improving visibility and comfort from earlier helmet designs. These helmets were made of thermally-formed, shatter-resistant polycarbonate. To add protection against heat, radiation, and impact, the Lunar Extravehicular Visor Assembly (LEVA) was clasped over the Bubble Helmet before the astronauts walked on the Moon. The A7L LEVA consisted of a Betacloth-covered polycarbonate shell with two rotating visors, the Protective Visor and the Sun Visor, and two Sun Shades, one on each side of the head (missing on this example). The UV-filtering Protective Visor was worn down while outside the spacecraft. The 24-karat gold-plated Sun Visor was designed to reject ultraviolet, infrared, and some visible light. It was often lifted temporarily to verify colors while astronauts made geological observations.


 
LEVA visor, Apollo A7L/A7LB Pressure Helmet Assembly ("Bubble Helmet"), and lunar extravehicular visor assembly (LEVA) at Apollo:  When We Went to the Moon
Time picture taken Wed Nov 6 11:34:04 2019
Location picture taken Apollo: When We Went to the Moon Exhibit
Space Hall
"Old" Museum
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, AL
Picture also in Apollo A7L/A7LB LEVA
Apollo A7L/A7LB LEVA Sun Visor
Prev Apollo A7L/A7LB Pressure Helmet Assembly ("Bubble Helmet") Gallery Next