“Neil Armstrong’s Spouse Uncovers Concealed Bag of Space Relics in His Wardrobe Following His Departure”
### The Concealed Lunar Heritage: Neil Armstrong’s Closet Find
In 2012, a remarkable fragment of space exploration history was revealed, not within a sophisticated NASA venue but in the serene corners of Neil Armstrong’s residence in Ohio. Months following the passing of Armstrong—the first individual to step onto the Moon—his wife, Carol Armstrong, unexpectedly discovered a white cloth bag hidden in a closet. What initially seemed to be an unremarkable item turned out to be a priceless time capsule: a compilation of lunar relics from the Apollo 11 mission that transformed the trajectory of human history.
This revelation highlighted humanity’s enduring curiosity about space exploration and introduced new narratives surrounding Armstrong’s incredible journey. It came as no surprise that this discovery created an exhilarating moment not just for historians and space aficionados but also for Armstrong’s family and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, where numerous artifacts from the find are now housed.
—
### A Lunar-Ready ‘McDivitt Purse’
The bag discovered in Armstrong’s closet was recognized as a **Temporary Stowage Bag**, commonly referred to as a “McDivitt purse.” This device was created at the behest of astronaut James McDivitt from Apollo 9 to hold small items during lunar missions when speedy access was necessary. Unlike fixed storage compartments, the McDivitt purse enabled astronauts to gather and sort assorted tools and equipment.
Nonetheless, Armstrong’s bag held far more than mere miscellaneous articles. Among the found artifacts were a waist tether utilized on the Moon, utility lights with their brackets, equipment netting, an emergency wrench, and a metal mirror. However, the most extraordinary artifact was undoubtedly the **16mm Data Acquisition Camera (DAC)** that captured the iconic footage of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module *Eagle* separating from the command module and landing on the Moon’s surface.
Had Armstrong failed to safeguard these items, they would have disintegrated with the *Eagle*, which was purposefully sent to collide with the lunar surface post-mission.
—
### A Legal Acknowledgment of Space Memorabilia
While the exact circumstances of how Armstrong kept the McDivitt purse after the mission remain unclear, historians observe that astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs commonly retained mementos from their space missions. The practice became so notable that in 2012, President Barack Obama enacted legislation explicitly allowing NASA astronauts who were part of these historic missions the right to keep ownership of personal space artifacts from their travels.
It is noteworthy that Armstrong’s actions were meticulously documented by the crew during Apollo 11. In the transcripts, Armstrong mentioned to his colleague Michael Collins, who piloted the Command Module *Columbia*, about the bag, humorously alluding to it as “just a bunch of trash… odds and ends.” Mission Control officially categorized the additional 10 pounds of equipment as “LM miscellaneous equipment,” fully acknowledging its existence during the return journey to Earth.
—
### The Artifacts’ Journey to Preservation
In 2019, Carol Armstrong contributed the **16mm DAC camera** and its **power cable** to the National Air and Space Museum following nearly seven years of historical and logistical assessment. This significant artifact now graces the museum’s Apollo collection, where it continues to captivate visitors alongside other relics from the lunar era. Other items from the purse were designated as “promised gifts” to the museum, ensuring their conservation for future generations of space admirers and historians.
These items act not only as a tribute to Armstrong’s monumental voyage but also as a manifestation of the meticulous care he likely had for the lunar artifacts. Despite spending years in a household closet, they were integral to an event that ignited humanity’s aspirations for cosmic exploration.
—
### The Apollo 11 Legacy and Beyond
The emergence of the McDivitt purse reignites our imagination and sense of wonder regarding the Apollo 11 mission and the astronauts who risked their lives to make the extraordinary possible. It serves as a captivating reminder that historic treasures can be concealed in the most inconspicuous places.
Today, as these items are securely displayed in a museum, they represent more than mere remnants of the past; they stand as tangible proof of a period when humanity’s aspirations soared towards the stars. For visitors, these artifacts symbolize hope, progress, and the indomitable human spirit that facilitated the Apollo program and the Moon landing.
—
### Further Reading
For those fascinated by the narrative of Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11, here are several related articles that explore his life and the landmark events of 1969:
– [Watch Neil Armstrong Describe What Outer Space Looked Like From the Moon in This Vintage Interview](https://mymodernmet.com/astronaut-neil-armstrong-describes-first-view-from-moon/)
– [Discover Why Neil Armstrong Was Chosen as the First Man to Walk on the Moon