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Author
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Topic: Apollo 13: Returning the lunar flag to Earth
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bunnkwio
Member Posts: 113
From: Naperville, IL USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 02-15-2016 12:48 PM
   
According to my searches, the Apollo 13 lunar flag meant to be deployed on the surface stayed with Aquarius and thus was destroyed during re-entry.Considering other pieces and equipment from Aquarius that made it back to earth, was bringing the American flag back ever considered? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43576
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-15-2016 01:14 PM
Like the flags deployed on Apollo 11, 12 and 14, the Apollo 13 lunar flag assembly was stowed for flight outside the lunar module, mounted to the left side of the ladder (the flags for Apollo 15, 16 and 17 were stowed in the MESA).On edit: As noted below, the Apollo 13 flag was stowed in the Modularized Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA) outside of the lunar module, as on Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17. The flags for Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 were mounted to the ladder. As such, a spacewalk would have been necessary in order to retrieve it on Apollo 13 for its safe return to Earth. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1044
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 02-15-2016 01:19 PM
Probably wasn't stowed in a crew-accessible compartment. Likely in one of the exterior equipment bays where it would have been accessible during a lunar EVA. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 02-15-2016 01:27 PM
The Apollo 13 and Apollo 14 lunar flags were stowed in the MESA, according to the press kits. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43576
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-15-2016 02:18 PM
Good catch. Serves me right for quickly referencing Wikipedia. I've corrected my post above accordingly. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 810
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 02-15-2016 10:12 PM
Any drawing or photo of the flag storage in the MESA? Any video of the flag being removed/unpacked? Especially interested in Apollo 15. |
bunnkwio
Member Posts: 113
From: Naperville, IL USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 02-16-2016 12:28 PM
Thank you all!! I really need to up the amount of reference material I own. I had no idea that it would have been stowed away in an external compartment, but as soon as I read your responses, the "DUH, THEY WOULD BE ON THE SURFACE AT THE TIME" moment occurred. So it makes all the sense in the world why it would not be accessible from the interior. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 43576
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-16-2016 12:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by davidcwagner:
Any drawing or photo of the flag storage in the MESA?
Via the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, here's a diagram showing the layout of the Apollo 15 MESA. The flag is noted stowed on the side of the solar wind composition experiment.  |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 810
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 02-16-2016 06:24 PM
Thanks for the diagram Robert. I went internet surfing after I saw this but still do not find any good photos of the MESA. Especially of the flag storage area. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-14-2020 01:19 AM
Pre-flight photo S70-23988 shows the Apollo 13 lunar flag: A technician holding the American flag that flew aboard Apollo 13.  |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-14-2020 08:39 PM
The Apollo 13 lunar flag size was 30x48 inches. The Apollo 14, 15 and 16 lunar flags were that size also.I think the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 flags were larger. The Apollo 17 flag was definitely larger. |
Mike Dixon
Member Posts: 1428
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003
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posted 01-14-2020 10:09 PM
Not sure about Apollo 11's flag size. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3324
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-16-2020 08:57 PM
From another thread, the Apollo 11 flag size was 3x5 feet. So that is slightly larger. |
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