What was the preferred method of holding things down in Apollo?

Question

The Apollo space capsules had a ton of velocity changes - from liftoff, to separations, to reentry to splashdown, there were a lot of sporadic movements.

The capsules also needed to carry things that would be used in space. How were these things kept in place? Velcro was only a few decades old when the program started. Was Velcro used? Straps?

Answer 1

I'll borrow heavily from a September 1973 Apollo Experience report called "Crew Station Integration: Vol.IV - Stowage and the support team concept" by Marion W. Hix from Houston.

• Use of Velcro started during Mercury missions
• Gemini program introduced modular containers with molded foam holders for particular items
• Duct tape was used since Gemini missions

• Modular containers were fixed in place by pip pins or Calfax fasteners

• Anything not in containers could be held in place by Velcro (#1), metal snaps (#2), utility straps, and bungee cords

• After Apollo 1 fire, nylon-based Velcro was banned, and its successor found to be less efficient
• Utility straps (12 inches long - 30.4 cm) were used as a makeshift restraint where Velcro was unavailable
• Bungee cords were suggested by Apollo 10 crew (Cernan, Stafford, Young) and implemented from Apollo 11 onwards

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Source: http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/WOTM/WOTM-Velcro.html

• Velcro had its share of problems - fouling up by dust (3 times), tiny hooks floating in the air in the Apollo 11 Command Module and irritating Collins, Velcro patch failures a total of nine times in space and in lunar EVAs.

One of the more innovative uses of Velcro included putting a patch into EVA suits to assist in scratching the astronaut's nose.