Posted on 08/02/2013 1:52:52 AM PDT by LibWhacker
Since the United States landed on the Moon on July 20th 1969, there has been an American flag standing on its surface. While 5 out of the 6 flags still stand (Neil Armstrong reported that Apollo 11′s flag was knocked over by engine thrust), the colors of Old Glory have faded due to the Suns harsh radiation.
“From the LROC images it is now certain that the American flags are still standing and casting shadows at all of the sites, except Apollo 11,” LROC principal investigator Mark Robinson wrote. “Astronaut Buzz Aldrin reported that the flag was blown over by the exhaust from the ascent engine during liftoff of Apollo 11, and it looks like he was correct!”
The original Apollo flags cost NASA $5.50 and made of nylon by Annin Flagmakers.
On the surface of Earth, even with our protective atmosphere, flags flown in bright sunlight for 44 years will fade severely. The Moon doesn’t have any protection or shade so the flags on it’s surface would have been exposed to glaring sunlight since they were planted. They are also bombarded by the Suns radiation due to not having any protection.
Lunar scientist Paul Spudis explains:
“Over the course of the Apollo program, our astronauts deployed six American flags on the Moon. For forty-odd years, the flags have been exposed to the full fury of the Moon’s environment – alternating 14 days of searing sunlight and 100° C heat with 14 days of numbing-cold -150° C darkness. But even more damaging is the intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the pure unfiltered sunlight on the cloth from which the Apollo flags were made. Even on Earth, the colors of a cloth flag flown in bright sunlight for many years will eventually fade and need to be replaced. So it is likely that these symbols of American achievement have been rendered blank, bleached white by the UV radiation of unfiltered sunlight on the lunar surface. Some of them may even have begun to physically disintegrate under the intense flux.”
“all four brave men who made the first trip...”
[face palm]
All 4 ? Apollo missions had a crew of **3**, only two of which were in the Lunar Lander.
Facepalm indeed. . .
Where did Nixon hide on the mission?
I thought those flags were made out of foil. Why would we use nylon??
Because they were bought at the local department store.
Read all about it! See post #4.
The FReeper Foxhole Celebrates Flag Day - June 14th, 2004
Cambodia, I think. He was over there ordering Lurch around.
When they landed on the moon and it was shown on TV, it was explained that since there was no wind on the moon to make the flag wave, a special wire support was fabricated to give the appearance of waving.
“Where did Nixon hide on the mission?”
This is bigger than Watergate!!
Oh great! Now we have green cheese eating surrender monkeys.
I was thinking the same thing.
My flag is flown every day and after nine months you can see how bleached out the colors are when compared to a brand new flag.
It’s amazing to see what the suns rays can do to a flag.Those Anin Flags are really well made though and they will last much longer than the company claims.
Err... Three Hero’s went. One lier hid in the White House.
What are we supposed to think of this, that there is a “special symbolism” that could be construed as a negative?
It IS what it is and that’s ALL it is!
“So it is likely that these symbols of American achievement have been rendered blank”
Along with many others thanks to Obama.
“$5.50 ... lol”
That’s what, about $500.00 today? $900.00 next week?
Spent billions going and we planted $5 flags.
That just... I don’t even know what to say.
Hopefully, some day, we can go back and actually do something useful up there.
Red dyes are unstable and fade. The intense ultraviolet destroys the color.
It just happens
What about the one on the ground, as Aldrin said, would only one side have been bleached?
Ha...... good question.
I would guess the down side retains some color. Someone will need to go look
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