Vintage NASA Apollo Saturn V Moon Rocket, Instrument Unit Environmental Control System, Mylar & Kapton Thermal Radiation Shroud *

The Instrument Unit (I.U.) was the "brain" or control center of the Saturn Heavy Launch Carrier Vehicle. An Environmental Control System was used in the I.U. to provide cooling for electronic modules and components within the I.U. and forward compartments of the third stage. 

This artifact is part of a Radiation Shroud that was used to improve the Environmental Control System's heat balance, by covering the inboard surfaces of the Thermal Conditioning Panels and Components. They are attached to the Cable Tray at the top, to the Cable Tray supports at the sides, and to the coolant return manifolds at the bottom. Air/GN 2 purge gas from the Environmental Conditioning Duct is vented through open areas at the top and bottom of the shrouds and through holes in the shrouds. 

The shrouds are fabricated from sheets of aluminized, low-thermal-emissivity mylar and bound with aluminum tape. The tape is used to reinforce the shrouds at the edges and around the vent holes. The shrouds are installed at KSC in the required locations for each vehicle effectivity. 

In those locations where RF interference would result from the use of a shroud type shield, a low-emissivity, pressure-sensitive tape is used. The tape is applied to accessible exposed surface areas of components and/or Thermal Conditioning Panels. 

- Source: NASA.gov 

Approximate dimensions: 4.6 inches x 1.1 inches. 

 This I.U. shroud was originally purchased at a NASA Marshall Space Flight Center auction in Huntsville, Alabama.