Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container

An Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC), or "rocks box", was part of the exhibit.

Lunar surface samples, most of them in sample bags, were placed in a sample return container such as this. The ALSRC sealed and maintained a vaccuum to prevent contamination of the samples.

To prevent contamination of the command module, each ALSRC was cleaned in the lunar module and placed in a Lunar Sample Container Decontamination Bag prior transfer to the command module.

I photographed the interior of this ALSRC when it was displayed at the Smithsonian. It is Smithsonian collections ID #A19710814000.