ALBANY, NY - Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a global leader in specialty chemicals and materials, has donated a prized possession from its rich, 70-year heritage – a prototype of the moon boot used by NASA for the historic Apollo 11 mission, which landed man on the moon for the first time in July of 1969. 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, at a special ceremony on December 6, 2010. The boot and large photos are 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, Momentive’s 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 – a core part of Momentive’s heritage – focused on honing silicone’s unique properties into innovative material applications that have, in turn, made breakthrough products possible in a range of industries as diverse as agriculture, automotive, construction, consumer electronics, medical devices, personal care and solar energy.

“At Momentive, this boot represents one of our most acclaimed achievements and demonstrates what can be achieved when the spirit of scientific innovation is given the resources to flourish,” said James T. Papa, Strategic Marketing Director at Momentive. “We are proud of this history and are excited about the boot’s new home at The Children’s Museum, where we hope it will help instill a sense of wonder and excitement in young minds about scientific research and discovery.”

Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is a global leader in silicones and advanced materials. Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Momentive Performance Materials Holdings LLC.