This collection bag was designed by the Whirlpool Corporation as part of the personal hygiene system assigned to the astronauts for use during the Apollo missions. These bags were flown on the Apollo 11 mission in July, 1969. As they were not used, they were returned to Earth.
The system is self-contained, giving the astronaut flexibility and control in a weightless environment, and allows for a simple and hygienic disposal. The paper on the round end was removed to expose an adhesive portion that astronauts could affix to themselves and use to seal the bag after use. A germicidal tablet was then activated inside the bag to kill bacteria and the bag was placed in a containment bag for storage and disposal.
Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1979.
Transferred from NASA