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TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE MOON YOU FIRST HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH THE SUN. 10:56 E.D.T. July 20,1969. The Apollo 11 crew began filling in some of the blanks that had been accumulating for 350 years, since the invention of the telescope first made moon exploration a popular subject. Their voyage required the most complex scientific program ever under taken, as well as some remarkably precise navigation. Still, nearly every step except the final one had been tested in earlier or simulated flights. What couldn't be rehearsed is what the sun does to the moon, turning that airless surface into a hostile, glaring place. Daytime temperatures soar as high as 270 degrees Ε and the sun visors protecting the astronauts' eyes are as important as the backpacks that supply their oxygen. Union Carbide is proud to have had a hand in taming the merciless sun. An invention of ours, UDELPolysulfone, is the material from which Apollo 11 sun visors were made. Not only did we deliver the raw material in record time, we also had the research data to prove polysulf one would meet NASA's most stringent requirements. This amazing material was able to
perform at temperatures as high as 350 degrees E; provide accidental impact resistance; withstand micrometeoroid showers; protect from unfiltered glare... and still allow a man to read the finest print. We built the world's first com mercial polysulf one facility in 1965 and have been increasing our capacity every year. The material that made Apollo ll's sun visor possible is now part of over 100 products ranging from components for medical respirators to cookware for microwave ovens. Industry's many polysulf one needs are being served today by this bright, capable team: Dick Boyce, Daryl Brace, Jeff Davis, John Koch, Burt Krevsky, Dan Love, Gil Martello, Nelson Paul, John Segerstrom, and Bill Wright. They know that to make history, a company has to be able to keep its head in the clouds as well as its feet on the ground.
PEOPLE PLANNING THE FUTURE. UNION CARBIDE Chemicals and Plastics UDELis a Registered Trademark of Union Carbide Corporation USA.
April 17, 1978 C&EN
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