71. Why did the flag look like it was flapping in the wind? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Without any kind of wind on the Moon's surface, some mechanism was needed to hold the flag out for pictures. A rod was run through the top of the flag and connected to the top of the flag pole. The flag wasn't packed loose, and had to be unfolded and pulled straight, not an easy thing to do in Apollo-style spacesuits. As the astronauts were setting up the flag, the rod at the top would swing a bit relative to the flag, pulling the material of the flag back and forth. This combination of effects made the flag appear to wave or flap.

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Answer provided by Thomas Matula, Ph.D. & Kenneth J. Murphy

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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