| RefNo | MS/926/5/9/1 |
| Level | File |
| Title | Correspondence and papers preceeding the retrieval of the Apollo 16 lunar special samples, collected by Colin Pillinger |
| Date | 24 September 1971 - 23 November 1974 |
| Description | Correspondence and papers relating to the proposal for the recovery and subdivision of Apollo 16 surface samples, and the arrangements and processes to be used. Includes a copy of the proposal to NASA, paper 'The opening and preliminary examination of the Apollo 16 contact surface samples' by Colin Trevor Pillinger and Ann P. Gower. A second draft of this has written annotations including slide numbers, suggesting some of the slides in the collection may have been to accompany a presentation of this paper. 'Recovery and subdivision of the Apollo 16 surface samples - a simulation study' by Ann Gower and Colin Pillinger is a detailed account of the preparatory simulations for the study of the samples. A second copy is accompanied by a list of slides suggesting these were used for a presentation, and a handwritten copy is in Ann Gower's handwriting. Correspondence includes discussion on how the samples should be processed and the results of simulated openings of the samples, the building and testing of storage boxes, suitable equipment and travel to Houston by Colin Pillinger and Ann Gower. Includes a detailed list of the equipment needed. Handwritten notes are included from Geoffrey Eglinton. A hand-drawn map shows the locations where the two cloth samples were collected in relation to a nearby boulder, and the orientation of the hinge of the sampler. Documentation includes quotes for equipment and dispatch. Geoffrey Eglinton sought and received permission to use lunar sample 68501 in the simulation studies, as well as being provided with terrestrial soil that was a close approximation to lunar regolith. Also included is NASA 'Apollo 16 surface sampler data package,' by Lisimaco H. Carrasco including images of the samples.
Correspondents:
Dr Colin Trevor Pillinger, University of Bristol
Geoffrey Eglinton, University of Bristol
Mrs Ann Gowar, University of Bristol
Dr William A. Parkan, NASA
Mr M. Bowthorpe, Science Research Council
Dr Michael Duke, NASA
Dr Peter Eberhardt, University of Bern
Dr S.I. Chazen, NASA
Robert O. Pepin, University of Minnesota
Dr J. H. Price, Science Research Council
Mr E.V. Dicker, British Steel Corporation
Miss J. Simpson, Science Research Council |
| Extent | 1 folder containing 125 items |
| Format | Printed |
| Manuscript |
| Typescript |
| PhysicalDescription | 1 folder of loose papers |
| Dimensions | Sample collection map 240mmx140mm |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA5073 | Eglinton; Geoffrey (1927 - 2016) | 1927 - 2016 |
| NA4367 | Pillinger; Colin Trevor (1943 - 2014) | 1943 - 2014 |