Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) Color Snapshots
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.2009.0044
- Dates:
-
bulk 1969
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.05 Cubic feet(1 folder)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of two color snapshots of the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) being transported from Pearl Harbor to Hickam Air Force Base. One of the photographs shows the astronauts looking through the MQF window and the other shows the MQF being transported with three girls running behind.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
This Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) was one of four built by NASA for astronauts returning from the Moon. Its purpose was to prevent the unlikely spread of lunar contagions by isolating the astronauts from contact with other people. A converted Airstream trailer, the MQF contained living and sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Quarantine was assured by keeping the air pressure inside lower than the pressure outside and by filtering the air vented from the facility.
Biographical / Historical
This MQF was used by Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins immediately after their return to Earth. They, together with a physician and a technician, remained in it for 88 hours while the MQF was transported on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, and from there to nearby Hickam AFB. At Hickam, the MQF was loaded into the cargo hold of a C-141 aircraft and flown to Ellington AFB in Houston, Texas. The MQF, with the astronauts still on board was then transported to the NASA Lunar Receiving Laboratory at Johnson Space Center where there were more spacious quarantine facilities. The astronauts were allowed to emerge from quarantine once scientists were sure they were not infected with "moon germs."
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Mindy D'Alessandro, Gift, 2009
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) Color Snapshots, Accession 2009-0044, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Astronautics | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Manned space flight | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Astronauts | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Mobile Quartantine Facility (MQF) | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Color photographs | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu