Fake PLSS?

[BertieSlack]

Does anyone know what the object next to the footpad is in this Apollo 15 photo:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/AS15-87-11840HR.jpg

Maybe it carried replacement LiOH canisters for the PLSSs? The latest hoaxnut claim is that it's a 'continuity error' - an accidental 3rd PLSS on a fake moon set. There's a similar object just beyond it too. I've seen similar objects in Apollo 16 & 17 photos too.

[Trebor]

A sample container?
The one in the background seems to have a lid and handle.
Not sure why they would assume its a PLSS, looks nothing like one. And is the wrong size and shape.

[bknight]

A sample container?
The one in the background seems to have a lid and handle.
Not sure why they would assume its a PLSS, looks nothing like one. And is the wrong size and shape.

I'm sure why it is called a PLSS, that fits  into his beliefs that the Moon  landings were faked. 

[Allan F]

Shape and size looks like a match to the LiOH containers for the LM's CO2-scrubbers.

[Abaddon]

Does anyone know what the object next to the footpad is in this Apollo 15 photo:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/AS15-87-11840HR.jpg

Maybe it carried replacement LiOH canisters for the PLSSs? The latest hoaxnut claim is that it's a 'continuity error' - an accidental 3rd PLSS on a fake moon set. There's a similar object just beyond it too. I've seen similar objects in Apollo 16 & 17 photos too.

At the start of EVA 2 they unloaded pallet 2 which carried spare LiOH canisters. Stowage for those, perhaps?

[onebigmonkey]

I've heard this claim made a while ago by some nut or other, can't remember where. NASA so stupid leaving their used props around the place etc etc etc.

I'm sure there is proof of it out there somewhere on TV, but yes at the start of EVA-2 there is discussion about transferring LiOH cannisters. Here's a couple of images of them:





and you can see one in the background just behind the first cannister container.

[onebigmonkey]

Same thing seen in Apollo 17 image:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/projectapolloarchive/21496419608/in/album-72157658983462236/

[Obviousman]

You can see a LiOH canister just to the right of the nearest object. I think that the guess of being the spare LiOH canister stowage from the MESA is correct.

[onebigmonkey]

It's also worth pointing out to anyone making the claim that this is what a PLSS actually looks like inside:



From here:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/plss.html

[Trebor]

In the Apollo photo is that one of the LiOH canisters just behind it? It does look the same.
It would make sense if they have changed a canister and left the used there.

[Allan F]

I've heard this claim made a while ago by some nut or other, can't remember where. NASA so stupid leaving their used props around the place etc etc etc.

I'm sure there is proof of it out there somewhere on TV, but yes at the start of EVA-2 there is discussion about transferring LiOH cannisters. Here's a couple of images of them:
and you can see one in the background just behind the first cannister container.

The top one is obviously for the LM's system. The bottom one looks much shorter. The PLSS photo shows the LiOH cannister to have the same relative dimensions as the one for the LM's system. What is the second LiOH cannister for?

[onebigmonkey]

I've heard this claim made a while ago by some nut or other, can't remember where. NASA so stupid leaving their used props around the place etc etc etc.

I'm sure there is proof of it out there somewhere on TV, but yes at the start of EVA-2 there is discussion about transferring LiOH cannisters. Here's a couple of images of them:
and you can see one in the background just behind the first cannister container.

The top one is obviously for the LM's system. The bottom one looks much shorter. The PLSS photo shows the LiOH cannister to have the same relative dimensions as the one for the LM's system. What is the second LiOH cannister for?

Good question - I just reverse searched the image and 'LM' and 'CM' both came up as uses. I was more concerned with the external pattern on it as a means of identifying the object in the picture than its  dimensions!

[BertieSlack]

Thanks for all your input, guys.
Conclusion: the object is the MESA storage pallet which held items such as replacement LiOH canisters and batteries for the PLSSs. Also food etc. At the end of EVA-1 the astronauts would get the pallet out of the MESA and take it up to the cabin, put the stuff inside, and throw the pallet out the door. Inside the LM before EVA-2 they'd swap out the LiOH canisters and batteries, and the old ones would go out the door at the start of the EVA. There was also a (larger) replacement LiOH canister for the LM environmental control system which went up the ladder at the same time as the pallet. Whole process repeated at the end of EVA-2 with another pallet from the MESA.

[onebigmonkey]

Sounds right

I also find a training image on this site:

http://www.ninfinger.org/karld/My%20Space%20Museum/mesa.htm

labelled 'J series MESA'. There's an object shown on it that looks very like what we're seeing, so I superimposed the Apollo image:



Looks pretty conclusive

[Abaddon]

Sounds right

I also find a training image on this site:

http://www.ninfinger.org/karld/My%20Space%20Museum/mesa.htm

labelled 'J series MESA'. There's an object shown on it that looks very like what we're seeing, so I superimposed the Apollo image:



Looks pretty conclusive

Well that nails it. It's the same object from front or side in either pic