Review of Seal Designs on the Apollo Spacecraft

The Apollo spacecraft required a variety of seal designs to support human spaceflight to the moon and to return the crews safely to Earth. High-temperature seals were required for gaps in the thermal protection system to protect the underlying structures from the high heating environment of superorbital reentry. Reliable pressure seals were also required to prevent the loss of habitable atmosphere during missions to the moon. A review is presented of some of the seals used on the Apollo spacecraft, including the seal in the gap between the heat shield and back shell and seals for penetrations through the heat shield, docking hatches, windows, and the capsule pressure hull. A brief discussion of seal requirements for the Orion spacecraft is also presented.