DuPont Is The National Sponsor For The Traveling Exhibit

"Suited for Space," a new exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, will embark next year on a five-year U.S. tour. The exhibit, which opens at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago in March 2011, tells the story of innovations, technical achievements and challenges in the development of protective garments that have allowed astronauts to live and work in space.

Alan Shephard's Apollo EVA Suit

DuPont is proud to partner with the Smithsonian on this important national exhibition," said Mark P. Vergnano, DuPont executive vice president.  "It showcases the unprecedented collective efforts of hundreds of companies and agencies to protect lives in space, the net effect of which could only have been achieved when innovative science and collaboration were put to the service of an important goal."

Twenty of the 21 layers of the Apollo moon suits either contained or were made entirely of science-based innovations developed by DuPont.  Nylon, neoprene coated nylon, Nomex fibers, Mylar polyester film, Kapton polyimide film and Krytox performance lubricants are just a few of the products that were used then, and continue to be used today in space and on earth.

X-Ray Image Of Shepard Suit

Over 500 million people in more than 40 countries on five continents watched as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon for the first time.  When Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin walked out into the moon's sunlight, the day's temperature could reach 253 F (123 C).  At night, outside the lunar module the moon's temperature dropped to minus 387 F (minus 233 C). At the time, DuPont was the only company with the diversity of high-performance materials in its portfolio to protect these space pioneers. 

DuPont says its sponsorship reflects the company's commitment to protecting people and the environment though innovative protective apparel, building materials, safety training, and environmentally sensitive and sustainable solutions.  

FMI: www.si.edu, www.dupont.com