Below is a listing of the items currently available for loan.
The entry for each item links to a page which contains more detail and a request form. Submission of this form issues an email that will identify to the Exhibits Manager your interest in entering into a Loan Agreement for the item.
| Astronaut Sleep Bag | 2322233 $200 |
| Shuttle Silverware Set | 2392367 $250 |
| TMG Assembly Glove Phase VI | 2591963 $5000 |
| Fanny Pack | 2321071 $250 |
| Liquid Cooling Pants | 2320820 $300 |
| Food Tray | 2321102 $250 |
| Sleep Shorts | 2268116 $5 |
| Toilet Tissue Dispenser | 2321070 $37 |
| Pen pouch | 2392363 $74.25 |
| Food | n/a |
Liquid-cooled garments (LCG) denote a variety of special hoods, jackets or underwear that actively cool and protect persons exposed to hot environments. Cool liquid flowing through channels close to the body carries away excess metabolic heat and prevents external heat from reaching the wearer. The user can be kept comfortable and can perform heavy work at high efficiency without sweating. Heat stress and fatigue are greatly reduced, and the risk of heat exhaustion or collapse can be avoided even in extremely hot situations.
Astronauts use toilet paper in space just like they do on Earth. This can be difficult because the microgravity causes the roll of toilet paper to continue to unroll after the astronaut pushes it, causing an inconvenient mess of toilet paper. Astronauts prefer a dispenser that covers the toilet paper and holds it in place to prevent the roll from unraveling. For this reason, a tissue box design greatly benefits the astronauts. The astronauts also need a dispenser that can be attached to the seat tracks on the International Space Station and space shuttles. Making toilet paper use convenient provides a sense of comfort to astronauts while in space.
Due to microgravity, working on space shuttles or on the International Space Station can be difficult because tools and important possessions do not stay in normal pockets. For this reason, fanny packs can be helpful. A fanny pack can hold small items for astronauts so their items do not float away and become misplaced. If items are misplaced, it is very difficult to replace these items because of the cost of transportation into space.
During a typical meal in space, a meal tray is used to hold the food containers. The tray can be attached to an astronaut’s lap by a strap or attached to a wall. The meal tray becomes the astronaut’s dinner plate and enables the astronaut to choose from several foods at once, just like a meal at home. Without the tray, the contents of one container must be completely consumed before opening another. The tray also holds the food packages in place and keeps them from floating away. Following the meal, food containers are discarded in the trash compartment below the mid-deck floor. Eating utensils and food trays are cleaned with premoistened, sanitizing towelettes. Food tray had two straps on the bottom and velcro on top and bottom.
