Momentive Performance Materials Inc. has donated a prototype of the moon boot used by NASA for the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which landed man on the moon for the first time. Moon boots developed for NASA missions featured silicone rubber soles made possible by Momentive, then known as GE Silicones. The moon boot was presented to The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology in Troy, NY, and will be part of a new exhibit in the Museum’s Space collection.

“Walking on the moon’s surface and being exposed to its unique environment demanded the most advanced technology in protective wear,” said Samuel Conzone, Ph.D., Director of Transformational Growth. “Silicone’s ability to perform under the harshest conditions, including rocky terrain and extreme temperatures, made silicone a necessity in the space boots, gloves and suits worn by Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts.”

Seventy years ago, a team of GE scientists discovered and patented the process for transforming silicone into a useable substance, making modern-day commercialization of silicone possible. In the decades that followed, that research focused on honing silicone’s properties into innovative material applications that have, in turn, made breakthrough products possible in a range of industries, including agriculture, automotive, construction, consumer electronics, medical devices, personal care, and solar energy.

For additional details, visit www.momentive.com.