Friday, August 2, 2013

Interesting: 5 out of the 6 flags Americans planted on the moon are still standing...

5 out of the 6 flags Americans planted on the moon are still standing...

Via Space Industry News:
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.
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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.

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