Apollo 13 Command Module Foil: A Fragment of the Odyssey
This Apollo 13 Command Module foil specimen is a fragment of mission-flown Kapton foil. It gave thermal protection to the astronauts aboard the Odyssey Command Module. The piece measures about 1 mm x 1 mm.
Product Details
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Specimen: Fragment of mission-flown Kapton foil from the Apollo 13 Command Module
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Specimen size: Approximately 1 mm x 1 mm
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Display: Acrylic cube with magnified lid in padded, glass-topped riker box, 5 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in
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Includes: Information card with Apollo 13 images, mission details and a certificate of authenticity
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Card design: Die-cut square that allows four display designs
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Source: Acquired at auction from the collection of retired NASA engineer William R. Whipkey
What Kapton Foil Is
Kapton is an aluminized polyimide film. It is semi-transparent, and its gold look comes from light reflecting off the aluminum layer. Apollo 13 Kapton foil covered the outside of the spacecraft with the aluminized side out.
Whipkey oversaw the decommissioning of Command Modules from several missions. Collectors consider him a reliable source for this foil.
The Flight of Apollo 13
Apollo 13 launched on April 11, 1970, aiming for the third crewed Moon landing. On April 13 an oxygen tank in the service module ruptured, about 200,000 miles from Earth.
Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise used the Lunar Module Aquarius as a lifeboat. They splashed down in the Pacific near Samoa on April 17, 1970. Find more flown pieces and Apollo 13 memorabilia in our Authentic Historical Artifacts.
Handle With Extreme Care
The magnified lid is taped on, but the specimen inside is directly accessible. This Apollo 13 Kapton foil is very light and can easily escape. If you open the cube, use extreme caution.
About the Odyssey
The Odyssey Command Module ran on battery power for reentry after the explosion. This Apollo 13 memorabilia comes from the module that carried the crew home. Your Apollo 13 Command Module foil is a tiny piece of that spacecraft.
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