Apollo 11 anniversary: What happened to American flag symbolic of moon landing?

These include the Apollo moon landings and moments of national mourning, such as those following 9/11.

The story of the flags on the moon:

Regarding the flags on the moon, Anne Platoff, now based at the University of California, Santa Barbara, studied the complexities of their placement.

She concluded that the flag-raising during the Apollo missions was purely symbolic, despite initial concerns and debates.

According to Space.com, the United States adhered to the United Nations Treaty on Outer Space, refraining from making territorial claims on the moon’s surface.

Platoff’s research sheds light on the technical challenges NASA engineers faced in designing flags suitable for the moon’s harsh environment.

These flags had to withstand extreme lunar conditions, including intense sunlight, temperature variations, and meteoroid impacts. Innovative solutions, such as using a horizontal bar to keep the flags extended without wind, were crucial.

Each Apollo mission planted a unique flag on the moon, varying in size and design.

The flag placed during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972 held particular significance, having been displayed in NASA’s Mission Operations Control Room during previous missions before being taken to the moon.

What is the present condition of the flags?

No one really knows for sure. They were probably hurt by being on the moon so long, with its strong sun, big temperature changes, and rocks hitting them.

Platoff thinks the sun might have hurt the nylon in the flags over time, making them fade or break. She wants to clear up one thing: the flags wouldn’t turn white from the sun on the moon, even though some people say that.

Platoff firmly supports the historical reality of the moon landings, citing ample evidence, and dismisses conspiracy theories questioning their legitimacy.

(With inputs from Space.com)