What's inside of the Lunar Module?

Jared Owen6 minutes read

The Apollo Lunar Module was a key component of the Apollo Spacecraft, designed by the Grumman Corporation, featuring two stages and built for operation in space. It had retractable legs, contact-sensing probes, and storage for equipment, with the descent stage remaining on the moon after each mission.

Insights

  • The Apollo Lunar Module (LM) was a crucial component of the Apollo Spacecraft, designed specifically for landing on the moon's surface and operating in the vacuum of space, featuring two distinct stages that served different functions.
  • The LM's intricate design included various compartments for crew accommodation, equipment storage, and propulsion systems, showcasing a meticulous approach to ensuring astronauts' safety, functionality, and maneuverability during lunar missions.

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Recent questions

  • What was the purpose of the Apollo Lunar Module?

    The Apollo Lunar Module was designed to transport astronauts from the Command Module in lunar orbit to the moon's surface and back.

  • How many stages did the Lunar Module consist of?

    The Lunar Module consisted of two stages: the ascent stage and the descent stage.

  • Where was the Apollo Lunar Module built?

    The Apollo Lunar Module was built by the Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, New York.

  • What components were housed in the descent stage of the Lunar Module?

    The descent stage of the Lunar Module housed the descent engine, fuel tanks, equipment storage, and contact-sensing probes.

  • What type of rocket was used to launch the Apollo Lunar Module?

    The Apollo Lunar Module was launched aboard the Saturn V rocket.

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Summary

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Apollo Lunar Module: Design, Features, and Function

  • The Apollo Lunar Module (LM) was designed with a final height of 23 feet, featuring a cockpit with smaller windows and four legs, built by the Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, New York.
  • The LM was part of the Apollo Spacecraft, launched aboard the Saturn V rocket, and was the only component to descend to the moon's surface, designed specifically for operation in the vacuum of space.
  • The LM consisted of two parts: the ascent stage and the descent stage, with the latter remaining on the moon after each mission. The descent stage had retractable legs with contact-sensing probes and a ladder holding the American flag.
  • The descent stage housed the descent engine, fueled by two oxidizer tanks and two fuel tanks, along with quadrants for storage, including equipment like the Lunar Roving Vehicle, water tanks, and science experiments.
  • The LM's main structure included a crew compartment, midsection, and aft equipment bay, with pressurized areas for the astronauts, controls, windows, and equipment like oxygen and helium tanks, fuel tanks, and the Reaction Control System for maneuvering.
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