Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Lot #6371
Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT) Jacket and Trouser Assemblies - From the Personal Collection of William E. Thornton

Estimate: $800+

The 30 Minute Rule begins October 22 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By October 22 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT

Server Time: 9/25/2026 08:05:21 AM EDT
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid
Share:  

Description

William E. Thornton's Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT) Jacket and Trouser Assemblies, both manufactured by Welson & Co., made of comfortable, fire-resistant woven durette fabric. Includes:

- a golden brown jacket featuring a "W. Thornton" name tag, "SMEAT" and "NASA" Beta patches on the chest, and American flag Beta patch sewn on the left shoulder. The custom-fit waist-length jacket's strategically placed snaps, zippers, velcro and pockets were practical features for clothing worn in weightlessness. The tag sewn inside the collar reads: "Jacket Assy, P/N: SEB13100141-301, S/N: 1033, Crewman: Thornton, Contract No. NAS9-8309, Date of Mfg: 3-15-72, Mfg by: Welson & Co., Inc."

- golden-brown trousers with a hidden zipper allowing easy conversion from pants length to shorts, featuring a variety of convenient snaps, loops, Velcro, and zippered pockets. Tags sewn inside the waistband read: "Trouser Assy, P/N: SEB13100142-[302], S/N: 1037, Crewman: Thornton, Contract No. NAS9-8309, Date of Mfg: 3-15-72, Mfg by: Welson & Co., Inc." and "Shorts, P/N: SEB13100142-[721], S/N: 1037, Crewman: Thornton."

In overall fine condition.

SMEAT was a 56-day simulation of an American Skylab space mission from July 26th to September 19th, 1972, at NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. The astronauts in the test were Bob Crippen, Karol Bobko, and William Thornton, who simulated space experiments, housekeeping, and leisure activities in a hypobaric chamber. SMEAT provided a baseline for the in-orbit portion of biomedical experiments on Skylab.


From the William E. Thornton Collection.

Auction Info