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Overall view of the Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container.

Picture 3 of 4.

The Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC), or "rocks box", was used to store was used store lunar material during the trip back to Earth.

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 vacuum 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.

Additional information on the ALSRC can be found on page 48 of the Catalog of Apollo Lunar Surface Geological Sampling Tools and Containers.

I photographed the interior of a different ALSRC at the Smithsonian.