With the recent anniversary of the first humans to step foot on the moon, Plastrac has been reflecting on the innovations plastic has provided to the world. If it wasn’t for the plastic in materials in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s equipment, Apollo 11 may not have achieved their wonderful feat. Check out this infographic about plastic’s role in space exploration, and then continue reading to learn more about the historical benefits of plastic processing in Apollo 11’s moon landing.
The Astronaut’s Equipment of Apollo 11
Durable materials were needed for the astronauts’ gear, which is why scientists and engineers used polycarbonate plastic. Helmets were vital in protecting the astronauts on their journey and made with high-optical quality plastic. Their visor contraptions were a plastic shell composed of three eyeshades and two visors. The inner visor was made from ultraviolet stabilized polycarbonate plastic and the outer visor was responsible for filtering light and rejecting UV and infrared rays. The visor was essential in protecting the astronauts, especially in the event of micrometeoroids or falling off of a lunar surface.
The Plastic Seating for the Astronauts
The engineers of Apollo 11 created lightweight technology for the sake of fuel efficiency. Less fuel and easy ability to lift off of the ground was very important. This was achieved through — you guessed it — plastic! Polyurethane-silicone plastic in the memory foam seats allowed the astronauts to not only be comfortable but allow the spaceship to work to its best ability. Clearly, plastic played an integral role in the astronaut’s successful journey to the moon. Take a look at this video for a quick recap of plastic’s role in getting Apollo 11 up there.
Technological Advancements Today
Plastic processing continues to be pioneering technological advancements today. In February of 2019, the first integrated recycler and 3D printer were installed at the International Space Station. It transforms plastic products into feedstock, which then prints new products. In fact, triumphant advancements are being made each and every day.
With over fifty years of experience in plastics processing, Plastrac is committed to providing our clients with high-quality solutions for plastics processing. To learn more information, contact us today.