Mobile Quarantine Unit
Close Looking
Look at the space pictured above. What do you notice about it? This is the inside of the Mobile Quarantine Facility. What do you think it would be like to quarantine in this space with two other people?
The Mobile Quarantine Facility is a converted Airstream trailer that contains living and sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Quarantine was ensured by keeping the air pressure inside lower than the pressure outside and by filtering the air vented from the facility.
The Apollo 11 crew had to quarantine for 21 days in this facility. They were able to see family members however; the picture below on the right is of the spouses of the crew greeting them while in quarantine.
Visit the Mobile Quarantine Unit at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center through Google Arts & Culture.
Why did the astronauts have to quarantine for 21 days?
The astronauts were isolated to prevent the unlikely spread of lunar contagions, or “moon germs”. To view video of the astronauts in the Mobile Quarantine Unit click here.
Did the SpaceX astronauts have to quarantine?
Yes; the NASA astronauts who launched from Florida on May 30, 2020 went into quarantine on May 13th in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. This quarantine period is common for astronauts as a "flight crew health stabilization" period prior to launch is routine. To learn more about their quarantine, read this NASA article.
What suggestions do astronauts have for living in isolation? Watch the Washington Post video on the left to learn more!
What else needed to be isolated after returning to Earth?
Click on the bag pictured on the left to learn more about what was inside!