Who doesn’t love a space suitcase?

Meet the Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSRC) – or as we like to call it, the “rock box.” This aluminum marvel joined the Apollo 12 astronauts, the second mission to the moon, to collect lunar treasures. Triple seals, vacuum-tight engineering, and shock-proof lining made sure those moon rocks traveled first class back to Earth.

Fun fact: This “rock box” remained untouched in its “as returned” condition until 1977, before finding a forever home at the Smithsonian.

This post is brought to you by Cade Martin in collaboration with Smithsonian Magazine and Jeff Campagna.