Apollo 11’s Spacesuit Boots
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the Moon, their spacesuit boots played a critical role, yet their story often remains overshadowed by the broader mission. These boots were not just a piece of attire; they were marvels of engineering and design, tailored to withstand the Moon’s harsh environment.
The boots’ exterior layer, made of silicone rubber, was designed to provide flexibility under extreme temperature variations, ranging from -157°C to 121°C. This feature was crucial as the lunar surface experiences drastic temperature shifts between sunlight and shadow. Additionally, the boots’ inner layers, composed of comfortable, heat-resistant material, ensured the astronauts’ safety and ease of movement in the low-gravity conditions.
Another fascinating aspect often overlooked is the boots’ tread pattern. Designed specifically for the lunar surface, the pattern was instrumental in providing traction on the Moon’s powdery and uneven terrain. The iconic bootprint image that symbolizes humanity’s first steps into another world was a product of this unique tread design.
Moreover, the boots had to be compatible with the rest of the spacesuit, which was pressurized to counter the vacuum of space. This meant ensuring an airtight seal at all times, a challenge overcome with ingenuity and precise craftsmanship.
These boots weren’t just footwear; they were a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of exploration. As we remember Apollo 11, let’s also celebrate the remarkable design and legacy of the spacesuit boots that left the first footprints on the Moon.
During NASA’s Apollo 11 Mission, both Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore lunar overboots over their spacesuit boots before stepping out on the surface of the Moon.
The lunar overboots were used to improve traction in the loose lunar soil and low gravity and to cut down on tracking dust back into the lander.
The overshoes had a different sole than spacesuit boots. Once on the Moon, they put the overboots over the Velcro boots.
The boots have Velcro on the bottom to help them while in the LEM and on the CSM.
The overboots are what was worn when walking around on the Moon. (overshoes on top of the boots, see pictures below).
It is the overshoe that makes the distinct footprint.
Fun fact: the first step on the Moon taken by Neil Armstrong was with his left foot.
Why wear overboots?
Apollo astronauts who walked on the Moon wore overboots because of the very fine powdered moon dust.
They improved traction in the loose lunar soil and low gravity. Also, to cut down on tracking dust back into the Lunar Module.
Without those overboots, it wouldn’t have made a stable stand for the Apollo Astronauts on the lunar surface.
Also, think of all the moon dust on their shows by entering the LM again.
Below, you will see some more pictures of the Moonboots and their overboots.
Why doesn’t the footprint of the first step on the Moon match Neil Armstrong’s space suit boots?
The astronauts had boot covers, kind of like overshoes, that they put on before they left the LEM.
I will agree that it doesn’t match Neil Armstrong’s footprint (even WITH overshoes).
But that’s because most of it’s NOT a photo of the first footprint on the Moon, and it’s not Neil’s.
Let me explain: this is one of those images everyone believes to be one thing but isn’t.
As far as I know, Neil’s first footprint was never photographed. If it was, it was most likely soon overtread by himself and later Aldrin because it was at the base of the ladder.
So what IS the footprint?
It’s actually a science experiment. Yes, really. One of the things that scientists wanted to learn was how the lunar regolith held together.
So, one of Aldrin’s experimental goals was to take a clear photo of a footprint (he took more than one) so that scientists could determine how well the regolith held together.
In the picture below is Neil Armstrong’s actual A7L spacesuit, the one he wore on the surface of the Moon, as photographed before Apollo 11.
The bottoms of the boots are covered with Velcro hook & loop tape to aid in staying in place while operating the lander (spring-loaded restraints also helped).
Velcro is not what one wears on the Lunar surface, however, so if you look in the lower right corner of the image, you’ll see the lunar overshoes used to improve traction in the loose lunar soil and low gravity and to cut down on tracking dust back into the lander.
Up close, they look like this:
And like this:
And they made boot prints like this:
And like this:
Did the astronauts leave their boots on the Moon?
No. The boots were an integral part of their spacesuits. They did have boot covers covering the upper part of their boots that were discarded before entering the lunar module.
What many people call a backpack is what we call a PLSS pack,, which stands for Portal Life Support System.
It provided oxygen, water, air circulation, and pressurization of their spacesuit so they could freely walk around the Moon.
Once inside the lunar module, the PLSS was removed, and umbilicals connected their suits to the lunar module.
Just before the ascent module was fired, they disposed of the no longer needed PLSS packs by tossing them out the door of the lunar module.
So, to sum it up, the Apollo moon suit had integral feet in order to maintain pressure inside the suit.
These had a sole and looked very boot-like, as you can see in the above pictures. However, on the surface of the Moon, the astronauts wore what NASA called overshoes, or overboots, over fixed boots.
Those boot-like overshoes were often left behind on the Moon, together with other items no longer needed for the flight home to save weight.
While the boots and overboots of the Apollo 11 spacesuit played a crucial role in protecting astronauts during their lunar exploration, there were other notable pieces of equipment too. One such key component was the communications carrier, also affectionately referred to as the “Snoopy Cap.” This ingenious piece of technology ensured seamless communication between astronauts and mission control, contributing significantly to the mission’s success.