National Aeronautics and ‘Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-S March 25, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 RECEIPT OF INFO! TION: On March 24 and 25, 2014, the Reporting Agent received information via email from| Johnson Space Center Historian, 2200 Space Park Drive, Houston, TX 77038, telephone num OS OC | (Attachment). This email was ce historical information surrounding the upcoming auction of a Mercury era spacesuit. provided the following information: | contacted| Curator, Intemational Space Programs and Spacesuits, lational Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, who advised via email that the Mercury suit manufactured for drop tests Jadvised that for training and test suits, initials and numbers avere handwritten in the suits with a permanent marker and contain no authoritative stamps. stated NASA did not control the production of the Mercury spacesuits the way they did ‘or later programs. being auctioned did not contain the Pe layer and was one of many that NASA had In accion ARs BF Goodrich, manufacturer of these suits, also manufactured child sized spacesuits and these were provided to corporate officials further noted that she was aware of other companies that ian parts to BF Goodrich who were given their own suits after the program completion. ecalled one that is now at a local historical society in Pennsylvania that was originally given to a zipper manufacturer. Attachment oe) Emails dated March 24 and 25, 2014. WARNING This document is the property ofthe NASA Ofive of Inspector General and ison loan to your agency. Contents may aot be dislosed tout party under investigation ‘or may this document be distributed outside the receiving agency without the | specific prior authorization of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. CLASSIFICATION: FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYSent: Tuesday, March 25, 2074 9: To: {HO-WIT72) Subject: spacesut conservation lab FYi.. Running to a meeting on site, so I'll call you when | get back. | haven’t yet had a chance to call Mr. [IGE Hope to do s0 later on this morning. Sent: = March 25, — ‘SLL AM = To: ERC cone ‘Subject: RE: Spacesuit conservation lat It is my understanding that NASA did not control the production of the Mercury suits the way that they have done for late programs. There are, of course, the set of “mini-me” suits that 8.F. Goodrich manufactured. These were child-sized suits on mannequins that they passed around to corporate heads and VPS. | have heard estimates of anywhere from 4- 20 of them. We have one in the collection. | have also come across companies that supplied parts to BFG that have ‘their own suits that were given directly to them after the program. | would have to dig for references, but the one that ‘comes to mind is one in Pennsylvania that originally went to the zipper manufacturer, but is now at a local historical society. Best wises, From:| Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 10:05 AM ‘Subject: RE: Spacesuit conservation lab Thanks, | will forward to the IG’s Office. Sounds like this may have been a training or test suit as you suggested in an earlier note. Ever heard of ane just being used on a mannequin? G Lon: TT cotTo: ‘Subject: RE: Spacesult conservation lab Here is our list of Mercury suits in the Air and Space collection We have all six flown suit, four anthropomorphic that were designed for temporary display inside spacecraft. The remaining 20 are training sults either for Mercury astronauts or for NASA or BFG technicians, Pressure Suit, Mercury, Shepard, Anthropomorphic Pressure Suit, Mercury, John Glenn, Friendship 7, Flown Pressure Suit, Mercury, Glenn, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, M-8, Shepard, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, Augerson (Slayton), Training, Pressure Suit, Mercury, M-2, Glenn, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, Carpenter, MA-7, Flown Pressure Suit, Mercury, Cooper, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, M-15, Schirra, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, Carpenter, Training Pressure Sult, Mercury, Schirra, Anthropomorphic Pressure Suit, Mercury, Carpenter, Anthropomorphic Pressure Suit, Mercury, Grissom, Anthropomorphic Pressure Suit, Mercury, Sigma 7, Schirra, Flown Pressure Suit, Mercury, Glenn, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, Shepard, MR-3, Flown Pressure Suit, Mercury, Slayton, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, M-14, Meyers, Training Pressure Suit, Mercury, Cooper, MA-9, Flown Pressure Suit, Mercury, Grissom, "Liberty Bell 7", Flown Best wises, co: SS TE Sent: 24, 2014 3:44 PM ‘Subject: RE: Spacesuit conservation lab * Here's what I received from the IG's office today. Information provided by TUT CMI, sonhams, regarding the Mercury suit being offered for auction. “Attached are several detailed shots of the sult. The first ten are of the helmet, and include detalled shots ofthe part humbers on the plastic communications microphone: "Roamwell Corp. 10387°, the part number on the electrical cable: “Deutsch DM 9809-12P", the electrical cable helmet connector with part number "REDAR-281-W3, Bethesda, MD", and the rubber fe support hose by R.E. Darling Co., with part number :"REDAR 279-W2 CURED12-60": { have algo included several detalled shots of the cover layer, which Include: the coller where you can see there is no tag, and there is no evidence that any tag was ever removed‘The seat area: you can see that there is a hole with two arrow shaped tears in this area -| believe that this is due to an ‘external support beam/stand being inserted into the suit while it was stuffed, to hold the suit up for display purposes. ‘The elbows and knees: As you can see, the suit is quite wor, but there Is none of the characteristic wear and rusty appearance on the knees or elbows, which tells me that this suit was likely never worn by a person, but rather, was on a ‘mannequin of some sort. if a person had worn it (for training for example) one would expect to see wear in the areas where the suit would bend, ‘The abdomen: There Is a large area of wear from what appears to be rubbing on the abdomen: if my theory is correct that this was a display suit, then the wear on the abdomen is consistent with it being touched by children, ‘The chest with NASA meatball emblem: as you can see, one was ever removed. here Is name patch on the chest, nor is there any evidence that The inside ofthe cuffs where the gloves were attached: as you can see here, there are any tags, nor i there any ‘evidence of any having been removed. The brownlorange marks are dirt ar clay, and the gray areas are where the aluminum has corroded. Gloves: The palms of the gloves are extremely worn: Again, if my theory Is correct that the sult was used for display, the wear on the gloves would be consistent with people touching the hands/shaking the hands. ‘Again, the sut only consists of the cover layer, and there s no pressure sult, which would also indicate that it was never intended for training r fight.” ''m at the archive but not finding much of anything of interest. Thanks for any help you can provide! Best, OM From: DG) ‘Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 12:12 PM To: ‘Subject: FV’: Spacesult conservation lab lam the spacesuit curator. | assuming that you are talking about the recent auction of a Mercury suit that did not have a pressure layer. | will have to go back into my notes, but | had concluded that this was one of many that NAS had ‘manufactured for drop tests. | know that there are plenty of these around, including one thata fisherman later fished ut of @ nearby lake and had NASA authenticate. if you could forward me the numbers, {can check again the limited documentation that | have for the Mercury sults. Unfortunately, for training and test suits, initials and! numbers were hand added to the suits in Sharpie, with no authoritative stamps whatsoever. Best,Fro Foe 8 Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 12:51 PM To: spacesuit conservation lab isthe right person to help you. I've cc'd her here. Sent from my iPhone On Man 24, 2024, 11:26 AM, {TE wrote TS Happy Monday! | just received a phone call from the Inspector General's Office here at JSC, They are doing some research on an cld Mercury suit being sold at an auction house, and | thought the suit lab might be able to weigh in. I'l do some checking at the archive today, using the numbers and details they've sent me, but the folks in DC are truly the experts. Could you share the suit lab's contact information with me so that { can forward it to the 1G's Office? Many thanks, and hoping this email finds you well! SEREC OES oat: TORR ‘uescay, February 21, 2012 12:55 PM Wve forwarded your message to SISTEM who curates the spacesuits, and SISTER one of our conservators. 'm not sure what they will be able to do for you (if anything) but they are the right peopie to ask. Fro: ‘Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 12:58 PMTo: (EOI! ‘Subject: Spacesuit conservation fab ‘ia ‘hope you had a great three-day weekend! | enjoyed the extra day off. Jam hoping you can help with a request. My colleague, J, and | will be in town to do ‘some interviews and attend the SHFG conference March 19-23. The following week we be starting a cooperative venture withthe sult folks at 1SC. We'll be doing an interview with suit expert I While we were in town we wondered ift might be possible to get a tour of NASM's, conservation lab, | would have e-mailed EUSIENGHGNI directly, but | understand she recently retired. So, | wasn’t sure who | should contact. Could you either forward my e-mail or send me the contact information of the new head of the lab? ‘Thanks so much! | hope to see you at the SHFG meeting!National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-8 Mareh 25, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 RECEIPT OF INFORMATION: On March 25, 2014, the Reporting Agent received information via email from] Johnson Space Center Historian, 2200 Space Park Drive, Houston, TX 77058, telephone num! : IN (Attachment). This email ‘was regarding historical information surrounding the upcoming auction of a Mercury era spacesuit. PREM rovises the following informatior Aa spoke RE « former NASA employee who worked on spacesuits, and he reviewed the photographs provided by Bonhams. Rea believes this is an early Mercury pressure suit purchased under a U.S. Navy or NASA contract. The suit had a glove disconnect zipper closure that was replaced after Shepard’s flight, making it an early suit and an inflatable visor seal that identified the helmet as also an early part of the suit. BR: early in the Mercury program there were suits made for non-fli crewmem| ich as medical personnel. considers this suit to be that type. In aiton EA ted there might have been a serial number removed from the suit, due to an adhesive residue. further believes there were no suits made for display, per say, as reported by Bonhams. Since the suit has a NASA emblem, (IMR considers the suit government property. Attachment: Email dated March 25, 2014. een: SA MERI sc DISTR: File APPR: RACIRQI CLASSIFICATION: WARNING This document i the property ofthe NASA Ofie of Inspector General and ison | Hoan to your agency. Contents may aot be disclosed to any party under investigation nor may this document be distributed ouside the receiving agency without the specific prior authorization of the Assistant Inspector General for Lavestiations. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYGS (H0-wit72) Tuesday, Marc JHO.wit72) fercury Spaoosult Sorry we missed each other today! Hope you had a relaxing afternoon. It sure is nice out! Lust got off the phone with [SIEEIIGY, who said he’d be willing to answer any questions you had about the suit. 1 madly scratched down some notes, and here's what | learned: ‘After viewing the photos he believes this is an early Mercury pressure sult purchased under a U.S, Navy or NASA contract. He looked at the glove disconnect zipper closure, which he says was replaced after Shepard's fight with a quick disconnect, Hence why it’s an early pressure suit. He identified the helmet as one used in the early Mercury program, which used an inflatable visor seal. That was later replaced due to a leakage problem. told me that early in the program there were suits made for non-flight crew members, medical personnel for instance, He believes that is what this sult was made for. He said it looks like the serial numbers have been removed on the suit—he can see an adhesive area. He does not believe any suits were made for display per say, thereby questioning the curator’s supposition, He does have alist of all custom Mercury suits with thelr serial numbers made for the program, Because the suit has the NASA emblem, he believes it's government property He is sending me a briefing on the suit he gave about a year and a half ago. Here's his contact nf: ES He also said QRSERMIDY, a former suit tech, i stl around ifyou want to talk with him.National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-IS-14-0155-S March 25, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX. 77058 INTERVIEW OF J On March 25, 2014, the Reporting Agent ) |, International Space Programs and jr and Space Museum (NASM), ‘The purpose of this interview was PBipsovides the following Spacesuits, Department of Space Fistory, Washington, DC 20013, telephone numbe: to discuss the upcoming auction of a Mercury era spacesutt. information: confirmed that control during the Mercury program was lacking and at that time NASA. hhad not established protocols for tracking items such as the spacesuits. InfJIQJP opinion, NASA was not as concerned during the Mercury period in control practices for Various items. BF Goodrich was the company who manufactured the suits and their production process did not include serial numbers, sizes or personalized information for the various suit iia is aware of other Mercury suits without the pressure layer. One is located at a historical society in Pennsylvania. recalled a fisherman who retrieved a full Mercury pressure suit from Lake Okeechobee, lorida in July 1964. This suit was lost during a recovery mission and it was determined to be ‘one of approximately 20 suits used for drop testing. NASA allowed the fisherman to keep the suit. Bal also noted the Mercury program was before the Artifact Agreement between NASA and N; that occurred sometime either in 1968 or 1969, The photographs of the Mercury spacesuit were provided to [IQ for her review. Prepared by: SAID Jsc DISTR: File ‘APPR: RACK CLASSIFICATION: i WARNING “This document isthe property ofthe NASA Olfice of Inspector General ad ison Joan to your agency. Contents may not be disclosed to any party under investigation nor may this document be distributed outside the receiving agency without the specific prior authorization ofthe Assistant Inspector Genera for Investigations, FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYNational Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations. O-JS-14-0155-S March 25, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 RECEIPT OF INFORMATION: On March 25, 2014, the Reporting Agent received information via email ‘or IACI Johnson Space Center Historian, 2200 Space Park Drive, Houston, TX 77058, telephone numt Pose | (Attachment). This email \was regarding historical information surrounding the upcoming auction of a Mercury era spacesuit, PREM roves the following information: Rae spoke TE « former NASA employee who worked on spacesuits, and he reviewed the photographs provided by Bonhams, oe believes this is an early Mercury pressure suit purchased under a U.S. Navy or NASA contract. The suit had a glove disconnect zipper closute that was replaced after Shepard’s flight, making it an early suit and an inflatable visor seal that identified the helmet as also an early part of the suit. Reo early in the Mercury program there were suits made for non-flight ‘crewmembers. such as medical personnel. Bate considers this suit to be that type. In addit » EE) noted there might have been a serial number removed from the suit, due to an adhesive residue. further believes there were no suits made for display, per say, as reported by Bonhams. Since the suit has a NASA emblem, [MIE considers the suit govemment property. ‘Attachment: Email dated March 25, 2014. Prepay: SAAMI osc DISTR: File APPR: RACIRUIR] CLASSIFICATION: WARNING jocumnent is the property ofthe NASA Office of Inspector General and is on Joan to your agency. Contenis may not be disclosed to any party under investigation nor ay this document be distributed outside the receiving azeney without the | specific prior authorization of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYRao (HO-WIT72) From: i ray a: Subject: fercury Spacesult “EN Sorry we missed each other today! Hope you had a relaxing afternoon. It sure is nice out! {just got off the phone with (IEAM), who said he'd be willing to answer any questions you had about the suit. 1 madly scratched down some notes, and here's what i learned: After viewing the photos he believes this is an early Mercury pressure suit purchased under a U.S. Navy or NASA contract. He looked at the glove disconnect zipper closure, which he says was replaced after Shepard's flight with a quick disconnect, Hence why it's an early pressure suit. He identified the helmet as one used in the early Mercury program, which used an inflatable visor seal. That was later replaced due to a leakage problem. (EAGT) told me that early in the program there were suits made for non-flight crew members, medical personnel for instance, He believes that is what this suit was made for. He said it looks like the serial numbers have been removed on the suit—he can see an adhesive area. He does not believe any suits were made for display per say, thereby questioning the curator’s supposition. He does have a list of all custom Mercury suits with thelr serial numbers made for the program. Because the suit has the NASA emblem, he believes it’s government property. He is sending me a briefing on the suit he gave about a year and a half ago. Heres hiscontat in: He also sid ISIENIDY. a former suit tech, i stil around ifyou want to talk with him.National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-S March 28, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 RECEIPT OF INFORMATION: On March 26, 2014, the Reporting Agent received information via email from [Johnson Space Center (JSC) Historian, 2200 Space Park Drive, Houston, telephone number| (Attachment), This ‘email was regarding historical information surrounding the upcoming auction of a Mercury era spacesuit (OGRE -ovises the following information: FERRY wien cs the JSC archives and located a document that identified the part number Tor the rubber life support hose located on the Mercury helmet being auctioned as part of the spacesuit, This number was identified by Bohnams as being a rubber life support hose by R-B. Darling Co., part number “REDAR 279-W2 CURED 12-60”, Lerma provided a memorandum titled “Trip Report” to the Chief, Flight Systems Division, ‘which detailed a trip to B.F. Goodrich in which the Mercury pressure suits were discussed (Attachment). An attachment to this memorandum is the “Proposed Revisions to the Contract ‘NOas 60-8011C Mercury Suits” that details under item 7 the fabrication of 20 sets of Mercury suit hoses. Each of the sets consisted of one each part 279-W-1 and one each part 279-W-2. Attachment: Memorandum, plus attachments, for Chief, Flight Systems Division dated February 4, 1960. Prepared by: SAIN Jsc DISTR: File APPR: RACI ‘CLASSIFICATION: WARNING « This documents the property ofthe NASA Office of Inspector General and is on FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY ican o your agency. Contents may not be disclosed to any party under investigation nor may this document be distributed outside the receiving agency without the specific prior authorization ofthe Assistant Inspector General fr Investigations.5 = Space task Group yang os penis i RHOADES fox ches, Tight dyetes Mysto ubfectr aed Sepors dy oo demuery 2 ond 25, 2990, CII vistses ens 2 Meotrich Company, akroa, Cute, to dhecuss Project Mercury pressure wuts. 2, ‘tho yetnotpal topte under divcunnion was cenfiguresion end, dslivury of Zour experimental yrussura suits. ‘Zhe four suite vil be configured and £itbed es follows 8s te, Samtugerstion Hittes tor” pate soattente BG IV with be i. Hyers, Vebyuary 7, ‘ Sarkar ania (U8, Bavy! Laeg 2 fame as fo, 2 We Me Gebtvee — Febramry 7, 2960 (a0), 3 Dperleatal Mercury suit iM. Myers Peery 21, 1950 wdth wardous UB. be cagevinental © (U5. ary). % tame 00 ea. 5 Ve Mp Sekivea = Wuaruary Zi, 1960 (esa) Sale vous 2 Runa % axe oelng Pinensed with U.6, Souy suit davelopant tude. AGL sults wld be wuinsulated. ‘Zhe uur suits will serve to quality the saclga of Aatwonant cults oulteble for mennsd Redatone flighta; final ebrication of the Redotone suite vill begin on about lawea 15, 1960, 3 Th vee agresd that the prepouad pressure sult contract changes vatline in euslasure (1) would be subuitted for official docuseatation Se tho Pressure wilt contruct. ‘the Bureau af Uaval Usapons, U.S. Kevy, os tdelniotering the Nexoury cult contrast. By copy of thin meso the itgincorlag Divinioa ie requested te implouent the contruct changes prow weed Ue englosuew (2). ‘. Gudogure (2) is & copy of a Goodrich interofties meas that Aewurlees thy Zitting and stretching probless ensountered da Astronaut Wruining eufte, Iu slioula be noted that the ingulation and bully opacer=2e {Gutloned 1a tbe auxnamy are bedny dlininsted frau Dutume auite oince the Heat yrotection vequiramuts Yor the Mammy cults Mave bec Ieceausd. aur weacures Yeiny taken to reduoe ctrutehing ond ingwove custos Diteing ave Aeousned 4a enclosure (1). Be tk Wai Spruod tas Goodrich would cxpedite preparation of domilea suntorenuce £ad test spovitication proposala Yor the fellowing suit equtpnents atpoont Gontracton Butt pressure gage Solonen nstruscnt comp. Visor seal oxygen bottle Hivevell Conpany % “The following Individuals ware present us the Glecuasiunes ACE, US Ace, USE Goodraeh Goodrich odeieh + gage % Proposed contract revisions 2) ising protlan of Merniny auste. cot Engineering Livision GEEWe)= Wares rr une Qo ed Revisions to Contract NOas 60=8011C E MERCURY- Suits Section A = Articies to be furnished. Ito 1 = Add "Each suif shall be patterned and fabricated to fit a specific individual as lrected by the Bureau of Naval Weapons, Final fitting and adjustment shall be accomplished by the contractor at the contractors facility. Each suit assembly shall include «, epacex garment." Add "Each sujf shall be patterned and fabricated to fit a specific individual as directed. by the Bureau of Naval Weapons. Final fitting and adjustment shall be accomplished by the contractor at the contractor's facility, Each sult assembly shall include a spacer garment," Item 2 = ]fpm 3 = Delete “eight (8) replacement parts kits." Substitute "two 2 sete space pasta, materials, and epectal mole" Bach sok wilt domntap pl the following parts; As Spare Parte: Quantity Part No. Description Sea, apioso-1! Facepiece Assembly Gea. 1301-1 Earphone, H-143/AIC B va. Microphone, M-78/AIG Zexe 1 2058-1 Gaskets, "0" Ring, Headpiece 24 va, 2-56 x 3/16" Sst, Flat Point Serew-Saty Barphose 24 wae Screw-Set, Microphone’ 1p2042—-b, Gaskets, "0" Ring, Port'Fittiig 1egu6z—1 Gaskets, “O" Ring, Glove’ cBva, | PherNe, 2with, Pliers, Waldes Truare, far‘extérpal * 45° angle tips rings +035 Koy, Hex, Socket Type 55, Grease, Silicone, Dow Corning: 5193~6-SeMF Ring), Retaining, Waldes Truarc 5133-18 Ring, Retaining, Waldes Truarc 5108-100 Ring, Retaining, Waldes Truarc Carrying Case Screws, Nuts and Washers ANSi0C4 Nut AN960C4 Washer, FlatQuantity Part Ni {c)50 ca, -AN936-A6B (2) 50 ca, AN36-A2B (0)50.ca. — AN936-A4 () 50.¢a, © ANSISPB-5-5 (10 ea. = -2P2084-1 (b)50 ca, ANS30=4-6 (i) $00a, — ANS15~2-3 () 25 0a, © _ANS15~2=6 {k)25 0a, _AN340-2 (1) 25 ea. AN364~440 Boa, 31055 " Boa, —4P 1057 Sea, 4P2086=1 Aon. Ava, 281-W) Aen. 25 ca, 1842 Zea, —-A~2#440~10~005 Zea, 31060 2.oa. 4ea DSK 201 Zea, 4R2083-1 lea, 4B 2084-1 Grea. = 2B2144q1 1 Zea, 3P2047-11 Zea. SK 2891 Rea, —-3P209L=1 3 oa. F6092100-1' 4 ony Be. Matoriala: Quantity Part Noe 1/2 pt. 828 Lox. O1S-TETA loz, — NG=513 pt. | PR-1201-KT. Lat. Losi Ze Loz 1/2 pte M=50 Lat. 1599 Zuase “No Fog" Box bottles dan Description Washer, Brai washer Nut Pivot Assembly, Facepieci Off-On Valve, Facepiece Seal Seal Assembly, Facepioce Hose, Inflation, Face Seal ie Lead, Communication Bane Hitting, Communication, Ferhidle Connector Steeve, Nicopress, 3/324, . Indicator, Suit Pressure Brackets, Microphone ‘Mounting Assembly, Chia Strap Clamp, -Facepiece Seal, Hos Cushion, Earphone, LH. Cushion, Earphone, R.H.+ Gasket, Dust Seal Bottle and Reducer Assembly, Oxygen Blo-Patches erty Epon Curing Agent Cardolite Sealant Coment Cement Pigment-Hylene MEK Solvent : Glave Cleaner (Cashoff Co., Cleveland, 0.)“30 Quantity, Part No. Description Llin, yd. NS-89 Lin yd. NS=95. i 2lin, yd. "Velerol! Fastening Tape + Spocial Tools: Quantity Part Now Description lea, 51-0887 Nicopress Squeezers (The National Telephone Supply Co., Cleveland, 0.) : fea 279-wL Outlet Hose with Clamps dea, 2796W2 Inlet Hose with Clamps Rea, Fitting Pluga, Special : ea, 1-3/8 Hex, Socket, 12" Drive Tea. 1/40 “Stitching Rolex ee Zea, —-E~6, w/30% angle Applicatar,, Waldep Truare zen, Beja, w/30® angle Applicator, Walden tevare tips s Loa. Paepe135 + Spanner Wreneh lea, 2P2060 Tubular Wrengh: Boa, 3213141 Nozzle Assembly ‘ Item 4 = Fybricate and furnish two (2) sete test plates and plugs. Each set WHI consist of the following parts: Quantity. Zea. Tost Plates for Arms doa. ‘Test Plug for Gloves loa. Neck Bearing Test Plate lea, sp2052 jHeadphece Test, Jig Ttum 5 ~ Fabricate and furnish ten (10) pairs of, curved finger gloyes. Mom 6 ~ Fulpleate and duraigh byo (2) Mercury, helmets. Item 7 = Pabricate and furnish tw per vat). Egeh Part 279-We2, yf (20) sets Mexgury guit hoses (2-pee. consietq pf 1 each Part 279~We} and 1 eagh Ttum 8 = Fabricate und furnish forty (40) nozales Part'No, 3P2131,Item 9 = Fabricato and furnigh fourteen (14) relief valve assemblies. Each ansembly consists of 1 each relicf valve RBD-6 and 1 each adapter 4P 1056. om Item 10 ~ Fabricate and furnish twenty-one (21) each suit and helmet carry~ ing canos. Suitcase Shwayder Bros, #7117 and Helmet Case 4P2096, Itom 11 = Fabricate and furnish ten (10) pair light weight insulated Metiiury boots 5P1055, Section B = Deliverios. Roviso as follows: 1960 Tom Jan, Feb, = Mare Apr. = Maly 1 (Preauure Suits) 10 3 : x ~ 2 (Space Suits) 1 ane 3 (Parts Sots) 2 4 (Tout Plugs) 2 5 (Gloves) 5 5 6 (olmets) 2 7 (Hoses) 10 395 8 (Nozzles) 20 0 9 (Relief valve Assys.) 14, u 10 (Suit & Helmet 20 Carrying Cases) 10 4 7 11 Boots) 5 5 ection C = Description of Items and Specifications, Item 1, Para. (a) = Delote "The firét ton (10), and substitute These thirtuen (13),! Itor 2 - Adda new paragraph as follows: "Para. (e) Authority is granted to order matorials for and to proceed with the production of thes ‘sight (8) suits prior to completion of preproduction tests." viaionn to Addendum #1 Para, 3.4.1.1, Sentence 7 ~ Delete "land shall deflate automatically only when the On and Off button located on the helmet 4s in the Off pouitlon." Add after revised Sentence No, 7 anew sentence, “The bladder shall inflate automatically when the visor is lowered and shall be deflated by means of a manually operated deflation button,"~5e Para. 3.4.1.2, Sentence 7 = Delote:"shock absorbing padding" and substi- tute "’a shock absorbing hélmet liner of tha Lombard Toptex type or equivalent." Sentence 9 ~ Delete in its entirety.daruary 255 1960 Btatenent of Problon 4. Yrocoura gults for Projet Mercury are to be of a Light weight, full Provaure typos ‘Thogo suite are to provide ell of the necessary featuros ‘to guotoin veo eonvelousnose and freadon fron bodi2y injury under all conditions in which thoy will be worn,- ‘Thove avite mot provide a tolerable : éngree of phyoical comfort ‘and body mobility in both the pressurised and . unprosourized condition B, Nooad on tha past exporionca of The BF. Goodrich Company with suits: of thio typo, 4t 40 doatrable té koop tho outer surface of tho prosmure avlt ~ 20 loca to the body of ste woarer as porsiilo, It is bolieved that such 0 formefitting sult preatly inprovea tho ability ef the woarer to nove ‘hia body in tho pressurized state. It 4s slne necesoory to keop tho overall dinonciona of the proozure sult as enall os possible bocauso of apeco linitations in tho Moreury onprilog end becouse of the problen of body restraint dn ordor to tolorate 0 forces. 0, [Tho S4rot Astronout mits produced by.The B.F. Ooodrich Company, although umunlly vory tight whon dnitdelly donnod, have aince strotch in both Jongth and firth to an intolerable dogroo, Tho rogulting looacnoss of Sit 4a oxpeeially noticeable in the preesurizod condition whore it dotrexte fron the confort and ability to move of the woarer, . 2, Thio Loosoneen of fit or stretch of tho outer suit ply 4s apparently cougcd ty inflation of the suit to tost and operation proscuren, 2, Frocsurizntdon in 2 180° F, environmont soons te increase the otrotch of the outor suit matorioh. 3. Sono of tho atroteh of tho outor ply natorial 4o recovered aftor roroval of proagure and hoot. Us Como of the strotech of tha ovter ply matorial 4s reoidual, or in other words, tho outer ply matoriol rensing strutched to a dogros after prendre and heat ero resoveds Dy Tho {ifeln-aa of tho undorgomonta and other metoriels which mst bo onclosod by tha outer suit ply contritute to tho overall oie of the cult ond tend t@ hold tia outer out ply away from the body ourface, :=2e Tug azonnn annuletdng ply which to nandvdchod botwoon the eult outer pirangth ply nnd tho oudt edn rotentdon ply beconoa eonpronaod Yoteren these two plier wen tha outt 4a proncurdgod, Thta doco : rot dnerearo ovorel) cult dinonaton, tut dt contributes to the Jooversa of £48 An tho pronouricad emddtion and probably tho oponge Aovon much of Sto Anmidalang Volua 4n thio oompresned conditions TZ, Probate Causna of Resiéunt dust Fabric Hongation Aftor Provourizatdon ina 1c ¥, rtuonpliora — Ae Meeovory of Length of sowed sone which drow up or phorton during’ setding. 2. Foltcrna yore node approximately Li.5% ovoradze te componoate for hide rowing deniaup, + Be Floncatdon could bo a proporty of the fabria woave, Os Fora portmnant got of the baco materéal (nylon) eould bo experienced” beacuse ‘tho olontde Linkt of tho material wan oxcoodod, : é 24 The olnetie Lindt of tho material could be reduood at 100° PR, D. Thore ney ta como fntdque or loon of olasticity of tha bace material after Prolonred oxposure te hoat and ctroos, Xs Premise Causos of NoncRenidunt Elongation (Mantieity) while Pressurized! ot 100? Py a Ae Hocovory of length of sowed coams which draw up during wowings . BD. Eleotie properties of fabric wave. z C. Hnstto properties of tho fabric beso matortol, 2+ Ilont would probnbly rodueo tho tonoilo otrongth of nylon permitting At to olonrato more at hirh tomporature undor a given Losd, Dz Thonn oxpansdon of tho fabrie base material, Ys Gono Poontblo ttemodies for Rongation As Chrnra the factor (1465;%) for soon seving tako-up to @ lowor valu to eoijenorte for recovery of ccwlny tokomup, Fs Chance tho Rothed of constructing tho outer gult to eliminate os many of tho clromfrrentdad (rth direction) norma oa pooattile bocause clongation of tho nwo in thie direetson coona moot noticable. This 4s aleo the ara viere the trentest Labrie otrosnes ecour ninco the strece 4s proportional to ‘tie cross acctionel eroa of tho Bult,“36 9, Rodice tho wik of the natarkal vorn under tho precoure ult, thks : 4 would roduea suit ply linear dimonediona and consequently. docrease elongation which 4a proportional to linoar: dimension, Js Tt would bo advantegcoun to move the sponge dnmulation fron ite Procont Location to provent ite ‘boing eomproocede i D," cbtain a fobrio of a eisforont weave vileh woud rot elencate po mush, “Ee Obtain a febrio of a dttforont tage natorial vhioh would not streteh oe much or wideh had a lowor thormal expansion. Fe Obtain a atrongor fabric (Itigher tonotle strongth) 20 that the Heette ldnit of tho mtoricl wil} ,ngt be approached, A stronger material would mt fattgue oo easily, 1," Q, Reduco tho tont tomporature, : Vs A Propocod Progra to Koduce Suit Patric Elongation dees 4+ Gonotruct cylindrical bays wth hentaphorienl onds of the fébries te” bo used in tho construction of tho proomure quite Tho bag should be of > spproxtmatcly the sano cirounforonce ap tho torco of a proscure ault and ghould ineorporate a muibor of cirounforontial soana ooved dn the bane Ronner a3 en agtucl procure suit. Ly moaouring tho bag bofere end aftor Bowing ond during and ator 6 aorica of proacuriuatdona at both room fomorature ond hont tost tenporaturo, tha auount of take-up of goana during coving, tho esount of poraanont olongation aftor a aorion of dnfintiony dn hoat toot atmosphere (uoth on and off soma), md the amount of fotrie ptrotch under pressure and hoat may ba doveminods Fro thia infornation frotera oon be oxtabliched for use in pattorn naltiny: to Conponnate for rosidual elongation and elongation under pressure ‘and heat. : 16 Tt ohould bo posible to make pattoms to correct for reoidval olonyjation, If tho elonratdon undor preacure and hoat wore @ vory Largo perconincn, At may not be posaftle to componoate ontiroly for tito Glonratson vy patterning, If tho suits wore pattornod to {At perfectly 4n tho prosourtzed and heated condition, they may bo unconfortably tight 4n tho unpronsuriaed, unheated condition, Be Ghanca tho mathed of conutructing tha outer suit to eliminate eircunforentiel nora 4.tho torso nron viich Jo tho area of greatest stros and whore Focovary of sowing talomup can de much hara to tho pult {ty Ce Rorova tha orenge angulating ply from inside the audte: -h hee D. Concidsx aroaa of trilok cpecor material wherever posaibles unly consider using 2 nylon twill, fabric (euch es IO Codo Ho, 946) sordrately double the strength of our prosont suit matorial in : tio Lomo area of tho auit. Contimuo to use the prosont sult fobrie for tha crm, neck, Loue, cock, end cloves, Ls ‘Tho clongation of tho Labrie should bo directly proportional, te tho tonsile strength of the fabric 20 that elongation should bo reducod Wy holf 4n tho axvao uhera tho atroncor matortal 4s ucod, 2. Tio hecvier and ntyoncor material should add only 5 or 6 02, t0 tho Lcicht of tho oUdt. . This should be nore than offoot by Fowval of tho aponrgy. ° 3. ‘Tho stronccr faric vALL ba loca pliable but thie should not be vory estriuontal in tho. torsg area, EB Ye ‘Try to obtnin a lower tost tonporature requironont, co Qe TvRuato for future uso a Decron Labrie and any othor fobrdeo which ‘appoox: 0 bo pwontstns 1. Our Toxt4lo Enjdncoring Dopt, informs us that the nylon twill fabria ‘whieh wo aro now. uster appears to bo the strongest and least elastic folrie uhich io comisrolally wratlatlo,” It may bo posoltle eventually b to odtoin Lottor fobrica bub mot in tino'for tho noxt Pound of Actroncut cudta. * ‘Tho heavier, atrongor nylon twill (916) 49 commoxcially available * bat would require somo tina for eluminizing.National Aeronautics and ‘Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-S March 31, 2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 INTERVIEW OF ‘telephonically interviewer telephone number QED ‘purpose of this interview was to discuss the upcoming, auction of a Mercury era spacesutt. provided the following information: advised that sometime in the 1980s, she saw a Mercury spacesuit for sale in a classified ad in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. JMf@Jpurchased the suit for $400 cash from a man ‘who she could not recall his name. ‘There was no paperwork exchanged with the suit. The seller informed] that the suit had not gone into space. {QM believed the man said he had a friend ‘who was involved with the space program. {QJ recalled the man also said there was some type of instrumentation removed from the front of the suit because the Government did not want anyone to have it. (Jj noted she was “young and dumb” and did not ask questions from the seller or require any documentation. For approximately one year in the 1980°s, {Jj rented a booth in an Antiques Mall and displayed the suit in an 8 foot by 4 foot display case. ‘The suit was never placed on a mannequin or in an upright position, never felt comfortable leaving the suit at the Antiques Mall, thus she would take it home with her when she left. Other than that approximate time, the suit has been stored in a box in either her or her sister’s home. noted that upon receipt of the suit, it looked fragile and had some damage to it. recently saw an advertisement for Bonhams in which people could have items appraised for possible auction. [Ql met with a Bonhams representative and the suit is now in their possession pending the auction results. epudty: SAI sc DISTR: File APPR: RACIQRGH CLASSIFICATION: WARNING £ This document ithe property of the NASA Office of Inspetoe General and is on FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY joan p your agency. Contents may not be disclosed to any party under investigation nor may this document be distributed outside the receiving agency without the | specific prior authorization of the Assistant Inspector General fr Investigations.National Aeronautics and ‘Space Administration Office of inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-8 April 11,2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 REVIEW OF AUCTION RESULTS: On April 10, 2014, the Reporting Agent (RA) reviewed the results of the auction held by Bonhams on April 8, 2014, of the Mercury era spacesuit and the NASA AGL prototype spacesuit. The results were reviewed on Bonhams’ website. ‘The Mereury era spacesuit sold for $43,750 including premium (Attachment 1). The NASA AGL prototype spacesuit did not sell (Attachment 2). On this date, the RA telephonically contacted |, Fine Books and Manuscript Bonhams, 580 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone number| she confirmed that there were no bids placed for the A6L suit Attachments: 1. Bonhams Auction Result for Mercury Era Spacesuit dated April 10, 2014. 2. Bonhams Auction Result for NASA AGL Prototype Spacesuit dated April 10, 2014 Prepared by: SAGO Isc ‘CLASSIFICATION WARNING This document isthe property ofthe NASA Oifice of Inspector General and ison | oan to your agency. Contents may not be disclosed io any pany under investigation nor may this document be distributed ouside the receiving agency without the specific prior authorization ofthe Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYNational Aeronautics and Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-IS-14-0155-5 July 14,2014 PUBLIC AUCTION OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 PENDING STATUS REQUEST: Information detailed in an article on the website ‘wivw.dailymail.co.uk reported Bonhams, New York, NY, was auctioning a Phase 2 spacesuit from the Mercury program. The article identified a private collector as the consignor of the spacesuit. Upon review of Bonhams’ catalog “The Space History Sale”, an additional spacesuit in the catalog, detailed under Item 57 “NASA AGL Prototype Spacesuit,” was identified as possibly being NASA property. On April 8, 2014, Bonhams held their auction that contained the Mercury era spacesuit and the NASA AGL prototype spacesuit. The results of the auction were that the Mercury era spacesuit sold for $43,750 including premium and the NASA AGL prototype spacesuit remained unsold ‘The NASA Office of Inspector General provided the investigation details to the NASA Chief of Staff for a determination if NASA would claim these items as U.S. Government property. As of this date, no determination has been made. ‘This case remains open pending a decision by the NASA Chief of Staff. Therefore, it is requested that this case be placed into “pending status” to await the final determination Pepe ty: SAARI sc DISTR: File (CLASSIFICATION: WARNING ‘This document isthe property of the NASA Office of Inspector General and is on loan to your agency. Contents may not be disclosed to any party under investigation ‘or may this document be distributed ouside the receiving agency without the | specifi prior authorization ofthe Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYNational Aeronautics and ‘Space Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations O-JS-14-0155-8 November 25, 2014 ALLEGED THEFT OF TWO NASA SPACESUITS Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058 CASE CLOSING: This case was initiated based upon information received from an article on ‘the website www.dailymail.co.uk; reporting Bonhams was auctioning a Phase 2 spacesuit from the Mercury program. Upon review of Bonhams’ catalog “The Space History Sale” scheduled for April 8, 2014, in New York, information surrounding the Mercury spacesuit was under Item. 56 “Mercury Era Spacesuit”. Also identified was an additional spacesuit in the catalog, detailed under Item 57 “NASA AGL Prototype Spacesuit,” as possibly being NASA property. On March 12, 2014, Fine Books and Manuscripts & Space History, Bonhams, ‘was auctioning the NASA AGL prototype suit. ia is the daughter of » the original owner who is now deceased. eal 1 ‘was a prototype suit and was declared excess property by NASA on April 20, 1971. The suit ‘was then to become property of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) noted that had purchased the suit at an Army Surplus store. review of documents provided by ;onhams showed the suit being made available to the NASM by NASA, but the NASM has no records of the suit being accessioned by the museum. On March 31,201 , eae was interviewed to discuss the auction of the Mercury era spacesui advised that sometime in the 1980s, she saw a Mercury spacesut for sale in a classified ad in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. [iJ purchased the suit for $400. There was no paperwork exchanged with the =u le jintained possession of this suit until suc time she decided to place it for auction with Bonhams. Prior to the auction date, the NASA Office of Inspector General provided the investigation details to the NASA Chief of Staff for a determination if NASA would claim these items as U.S. Government property. On April 8, 2014, Bonhams held their auction that contained the Mercury era spacesuit and the NASA AOL prototype spacesuit. The results of the auction were that the Mercury era spacesuit sold for $43,750 including premium and the NASA AGL prototype spacesuit remained unsold. On November 13, 2014] |, Office of the General Counsel, NASA Headquarters, advised that although the provenance of the two space suits is unclear, CLASSIFICATION: WARNING ‘This documents the property ofthe NASA O'fiee of Inspector General and ison Joan to your agency. Contents may aot be disclosed to any party under investigation nor may this document be distributed outside the receiving agency without the specific prior authorization of the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYthere is no evidence of theft regarding the items. Combined with the time lapse of deciding if NASA would claim these items, the Office of the General Counsel agreed that NASA would not pursue an ownership claim of these two suits. Based upon the above information, no further investigative activity is necessary or required. ‘This case is closed. Pepa y: II sc DISTR: File APPR: (i CLASSIFICATION: WARNING ‘This document isthe property ofthe ee of Tnspestor General and i on FOR OFFICIAL USEONLY im youragensy, Cones my nt beds oat ry andr anton | nor may this document be distributed ouside the receiving agency without the | specifi prior authorization ofthe Assistant Inspectoc General for Investigations.