1965 Declassified AVCO Apollo Heat Shield Reentry Report 3M Electroconductive For Sale

This rare 1965 declassified technical progress report from AVCO Corporation (RAD-TM-65-36 Vol. I), prepared for the USAF Ballistic Systems Division, details advanced 1960s reentry heat shield research—including carbon-phenolic composites, Nomex materials, and arc-deposited graphite testing. As the primary contractor responsible for manufacturing the Apollo Command Module ablative heat shield, AVCO's REST program directly pioneered the thermal protection systems that safeguarded Apollo astronauts during Earth atmospheric reentry. Printed on original 1960s 3M electro-conductive microfilm paper, this document features crossed-out SECRET classification markings alongside official government declassification stamps (EO 11652, dated 1973/1975) and Acurex Library stamps, offering a fascinating physical artifact of Cold War aerospace history.