Apollo Backpack
made of mylar, tyvek, and moon dust
About
I've always been inspired by the Apollo missions, but what really amazes me, is the fact that we set foot on the moon with late '60s technology. I designed and made the Apollo backpack as an experimental backpack for my accessory design class. After taking a deep dive into the NASA's photo archive and researching their cosmic technology, I got to work sketching and exploring concepts.
Concept Development
A large part of concept development was sourcing the right materials. I started to fall in love with the gold and copper mylar insulation on the lunar module. After failing to source a durable and mirror-like fabric (if it exists please let me know), I settled with using mylar itself. While not as durable, the Apollo backpack was meant to be an experimental piece and is an ode to NASA's legacy.
Fabricating the Prototypes
After finalizing the design, I made a set of patterns for each piece of the bag. Then I made a canvas mock-up to work out any kinks. After a few adjustments I sewed up the real deal.
Final Product
The main body of the Apollo backpack is composed of gold mylar just like the lunar module. The top and bottom are composed of tyvek, a paper-like, plastic fabric that is durable and mimics the dark material of the lunar module. I also used a trapunto technique to encapsulate craft foam which creates the geometric structure. I added quilting to the back and straps for that extra bit of comfort and spacesuit vibe.
Apollo Backpack by Nicholas Baker / Photography by Paula Sprenger / Spring 2015 / Savannah College of Art and Design