Core stems were used with the Apollo Lunar Surface Drill (ALSD) to take long core samples of the lunar regolith. Core stem tubes were joined together during the drilling process to obtain samples up to 94 inches in length. Up to five upper core stems could be joined to the lower core stem which had the drill bit attached. Once filled, cores stems were removed with lunar soil inside and the ends were capped for return to Earth.
This particular core stem was used for Apollo 17 training. NASA transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1974.
