Apollo Extravehicular Mobility Unit Gallery

Above – NASA PLSS Diagrams
Left – Note the location of the LiOH canister, and stowed antenna on top of OPS
Left Center – Location of fill and drain ports
Right Center – Excellent diagram showing location of indicators, dials, and controls
Right – Ther interconnections between the PLSS, OPS, and RCU

Oxygen Purge System
(OPS)

The OPS was designed as an emergency backup system to provide oxygen to a crewman while on EVA on the moon in the event of PLSS failure.  In combination with the Buddy Life Support System (BLSS) for cooling, it could give the crewman enough life support time to return to the LM and repressurize the ascent stage cabin.  It was primarily made up of a pair of oxygen cylinders and an actuator cable which was mounted on the side of the RCU.
To run the system, the crewman pulled down on the actuator cable to start flow of O2 then opened the diverter valve of the front of the suit to create a presure gradient which would force the O2 into the suit.
The OPS was covered by a plastic shell which in turn was covered by a Beta cloth cover.  The American flag was stitched to the back of it.
The OPS was carried on board the LM into lunar orbit to serve as a backup system in case the LM crew had to make an emergency EVA from the LM to the CSM.  On the later J-Series missions it was also used by the CMP and LMP during the SIM Bay data retrieval EVA.  None of the OPS flown on Apollo were ever used in an emergency situation, a great testimonial to the reliability of the PLSS.

PLSS Remote Control Unit
(RCU)

Jim Irwin in training, with the PLSS clips attached to the EMU.

Left – Diagram of the RCU control displays, switches, etc.
Center – Photo of top of RCU and electrical connector to the PLSS, with labels
Right – Similar to center photo

PLSS Tool Carrier Harness

Above- Three pages of diagrams of the PLSS Tool Carrier Harness

Right Center – Opposite side of the LMP’s PLSS Tool Carrier Harness, showing the Sample Collection Bag (SCB) mounted on the side of the PLSS.  The CDR’s PLSS Tool Carrier Harness held only a single SCB, mounted on the other side of the PLSS, so that it would be outboard while he was driving the LRV.
Right – The Core Tube Cap Dispenser

CDR’s
PLSS Tool Carrier Harness, showing the quick release straps mounted on the side of the LEVA
Luna Spacey

Luna Spacey

Luna Spacey, a distinguished space researcher, earned her Ph.D. in Astrophysics from MIT, specializing in exotic matter near black holes. Joining NASA post-graduation, she significantly contributed to the discovery of gravitational waves, enriching cosmic understanding.With a 15-year stellar career, Luna has numerous published papers and is currently spearheading a dark matter research project. Beyond her profession, she’s an avid stargazer, dedicated to community science education through local school workshops.Luna also cherishes hiking and astrophotography, hobbies that harmoniously blend her admiration for nature and the cosmos, making her a revered figure in both the scientific and local communities.

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