NASA report on the mobile quarantine facility

[perryg114]

I ran into this report messing around on the NIX websight. I though you folks might enjoy the read. If it is any consolation, NASA replaced the frame with one made of 6061-T6 Aluminum.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/ca...1969026437.pdf

Perry

[BeachHouse]

That is really interesting. Thanks

[Skatiero]

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for posting this. I Am a huge space nut and have always been especially interested in the MQF. We go see the one from Apollo 12 every time we go to Huntsville Al to the Space and Rocket Center. Love it!

[SafariSS]

That's so cool,

Wonder what came about of those units? Sold for scrap?

I like how thorough the report is, reminds me of a strong America...

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by SafariSS

Wonder what came about of those units? Sold for scrap?

Well, obviously one ended up at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. We can only hope that the others ended up at similar museums.

[Skatiero]

Four MQFs were built for NASA:


Apollo 11 MQF003 Four years on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, now on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.


Apollo 12 MQF002 Converted for various purposes and found near Marion, Alabama, now on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.



Apollo 13 MQF001 Not used for the crew because they did not land on the Moon. For some time the USDA used it. Its present disposition is unknown.


Apollo 14 MQF004 At the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California.


The quarantine requirement was eliminated following Apollo 14 once it was proven that the moon was void of life and the facilities were no longer necessary.

[Blue Pearl]

I have always said my 1968 Airstream Ambassador had ties to the Apollo space missions because of the picture you see of the Astronauts looking out the front window, now I know it was a 68, the bathroom is the same and I always knew our central control panel had to be part of the design of the MQF. Either as a knock off of the mode panel used my NASA or Airstreams idea of what it should look like and NASA added to it.
Thanks Perry, this report will go in my Airstream Ambassador scrapbook.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Great stuff Perry, thanks. The aluminum frame… these were loaded into planes for transport and not used as travel trailers.

[perryg114]

Glad you like it folks. Here is another link. You have to join to download full res images.

DVIDS - Search - mobile quarantine facility+

Perry

[Skatiero]

I found some pictures of the MQF in Huntsville,AL I had on my phone.

[idroba]

Good grief, they used the same exceptionally ugly (my opinion) avocado green Formica that they were using in the regular trailers of that era, and then compounded the ugly with green chair coverings. Lets see, if they had been built in the 80's it would have been mauve, and today it would be black Formica or solid surface materials, and shiny metal walls, with Pergo type flooring.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

In 1968 that ugly green was super desired...

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by idroba

Good grief, they used the same exceptionally ugly (my opinion) avocado green Formica that they were using in the regular trailers of that era, and then compounded the ugly with green chair coverings. Lets see, if they had been built in the 80's it would have been mauve, and today it would be black Formica or solid surface materials, and shiny metal walls, with Pergo type flooring.

Contemporary studies at the time indicated that pea green was considered a "restful" color with a calming effect. Many Government office buildings had green-painted interior walls and partition panels for exactly that reason. In the 80's those of us who had to work in offices still painted 60's green called that particular shade "bilious green" or "puke green" and we all hated it.

[perryg114]

Nice photos, thanks for posting them.

Perry

Originally Posted by Skatiero

I found some pictures of the MQF in Huntsville,AL I had on my phone.Attachment 206379Attachment 206382Attachment 206388Attachment 206391Attachment 206396Attachment 206397Attachment 206400Attachment 206401Attachment 206402Attachment 206403Attachment 206404

[perryg114]

Hey Frank, I was born in Herndon, VA and we lived there till I was 9. My dad actually worked for Melpar in the early 60's. We plan on coming up that way with the trailer one of these days to visit some relatives I have not seen in over 30 yrs. I may look you up when we are there and aggravate you about Airstream frame design .

Perry

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Great stuff Perry, thanks. The aluminum frame… these were loaded into planes for transport and not used as travel trailers.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Skatiero

The quarantine requirement was eliminated following Apollo 14 once it was proven that the moon was void of life and the facilities were no longer necessary.

I noticed that their procedures required disinfecting the hatches and other things. I had to wonder if they had any clue what they might be disinfecting for and if their disinfectant would be effective against the unknown moon bugs.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Hey Frank, I was born in Herndon, VA and we lived there till I was 9. My dad actually worked for Melpar in the early 60's. We plan on coming up that way with the trailer one of these days to visit some relatives I have not seen in over 30 yrs. I may look you up when we are there and aggravate you about Airstream frame design .

Perry

The door is always open…
Make sure you stop by the Smithsonian Museum out at Dullas and see the quarantine unit there. Unfortunately it not as easy to see inside of as the photos above.

[perryg114]

Well I am in Huntsville so I can go and see the one at the Space and Rocket Center anytime I want to. We used to live a stone's throw from Dulles. We do want to come up there and see the Smithsonian. If you are in Huntsville, look me up.

Perry

[perryg114]

Here is a historic photo of the MQF. This link lets you download the full resolution image.

This week in 1969, Rear Adm. Donald C. David, commander of the Manned Spacecraft Recovery Force in the Pacific, welcomes the crew of the Apollo 12 lunar landing mission aboard the USS Hornet, prime recovery vessel for the mission. A color guard was also on hand for the welcoming ceremonies. Inside the Mobile Quarantine Facility are, from left, astronauts Charles Conrad Jr., commander; Richard F. Gordon Jr., command module pilot; and Alan L. Bean, lunar module pilot.



http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/fi.../s69-22876.jpg