g09_v_bw_o_n (S-66-33726)
Note the different shade/color of Gene's "trousers", to provide additional thermal protection to guard against the hydrogen peroxide plumes from the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU) he was to have donned. This extra protection came in the form of 11 layers of aluminized H-film and fiberglass, topped by a metallic fabric woven from fibers of the alloy Chromel R. It was particularly important since, during the EVA, the AMU’s jets would actually fire directly between Cernan's legs. During training, a technician charred the material with a blowtorch for five minutes and told Cernan that, despite the intense temperature of the AMU exhaust, he would remain comfortable in his protective suit.
g09_v_bw_o_n (S-66-33726)
Note the different shade/color of Gene's "trousers", to provide additional thermal protection to guard against the hydrogen peroxide plumes from the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU) he was to have donned. This extra protection came in the form of 11 layers of aluminized H-film and fiberglass, topped by a metallic fabric woven from fibers of the alloy Chromel R. It was particularly important since, during the EVA, the AMU’s jets would actually fire directly between Cernan's legs. During training, a technician charred the material with a blowtorch for five minutes and told Cernan that, despite the intense temperature of the AMU exhaust, he would remain comfortable in his protective suit.