View source for Apollo Lunar Module

{{more sources|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox spacecraft class
| name                 = Apollo Lunar Module
| image                = Apollo16LM.jpg
| image_size           = 
| image_alt            =
| image_caption        = [[Apollo 16]] LM ''Orion'' on the lunar surface
 
| manufacturer         = [[Grumman Aircraft]]
| designer             = [[Thomas J. Kelly (aerospace engineer)|Thomas J. Kelly]]
| country              = [[United States]]
| operator             = [[NASA]]
| applications         = Manned [[Moon landing|lunar landing]]

<!--Specifications-->
| spacecraft_type      =
| spacecraft_bus       = 
| constellation        =
| design_life          = 75 hours (Extended)
| launch_mass          = {{plain list|
*{{convert|33500|lb|kg}} std
*{{convert|36200|lb|kg}} Extended
}}
| dry_mass             = {{plain list|
*{{convert|9430|lb|kg}} std
*{{convert|10850|lb|kg}} Extended
}}
| payload_capacity     = 
| crew_capacity        = 2
| dimensions           = {{convert|23|ft|1|in|m}} high<br>{{convert|31|ft|m}} wide<br>{{convert|31|ft|m}} deep<br>overall, landing gear deployed
| volume               = {{convert|235|cuft|m3}}
| power                = Batteries
| batteries            = 
| equipment            = 
| orbits               = [[Lunar orbit|Lunar]]

<!--Production-->
| status               = Retired
| built                = 15
| orders               =
| launched             = 10
| operational          = 10
| retired              =
| failed               = 0
| lost                 = 0
| first                = January 22, 1968
| last                 = December 14, 1972
| lastretired          = December 15, 1972

<!--insignia-->
| insignia             = Apollo program.svg
| insignia_size        = 
| insignia_alt         = 
| insignia_caption     =

<!--image at bottom of infobox-->
| bottom_image         = LEM-linedrawing.png
| bottom_image_size    = <!--285px-->
| bottom_image_alt     = 
| bottom_image_caption = Apollo LM diagram

| previous             =
| next                 =
}}
[[File:Apollo_13_Astronauts_Practice_Moonwalk_at_KSC_-_GPN-2002-000053.jpg|thumb|Astronauts practice using Lunar Module]]
The '''Apollo Lunar Module''' (LM) is a spidery-looking [[Lander (spacecraft)|lander]] that landed on the moon. It was built for the US [[Apollo program]] to carry a crew of two from lunar [[orbit]] to the surface and back.

The LM was the last of the Apollo “hardware” to be developed. Its start had been delayed while NASA made up its mind to take the lunar-orbit meeting approach and thus require a vehicle like the LM for a landing. A contract with the prime builder was signed on January, 1963, almost two years after the Apollo project began. The LM was tested several times in space.<ref>''Moon Race: The History of Apollo'' DVD, Columbia River Entertainment (Portland, Oregon, 2007)</ref> Finally, on July 20, 1969 the [[Apollo 11]] LM Eagle made the first manned lunar landing. 

As Apollo missions progressed, [[Apollo 12]], 14, 15, 16, 17 had lunar landings using their LMs.  [[Apollo 13]] had a terribly dangerous accident when an oxygen tank exploded. The [[Apollo 13]] Lunar module, called ''Aquarius'', played an unexpected role in saving the lives of the three astronauts after the explosion.<ref name = "Cass 1">{{cite web|last=Cass|first=Stephen|title=Houston, we have a solution|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/space-age/apollo-13-we-have-a-solution|date=April 1, 2005|access-date=August 30, 2019|website=IEEE}}</ref>
== Specifications ==
[[File:Lunar Module diagram.jpg|thumb|Drawing of LM]]
The LM consisted of an ascent stage and descent stage.
== Descent stage ==
This was the unmanned lower part of the LM. it looked like octagonal-shaped.  It was made of aluminum alloy and had four legs for landing.  It had a descent rocket engine, and batteries and various supplies and scientific equipment to be used when landing on the moon and during the astronauts’ stay on the moon. 

To land on the moon, the descent engine would be fired to begin the LM’s drop from {{convert|110|km|mile|abbr=off}} out in lunar orbit down toward the moon.  LM could descend vertically and hover above the surface of moon.  After the two men finished their stay on the surface, the ascent stage, sitting on the descent stage, would use its ascent engine firing to lift itself off the moon.
== Ascent stage ==
This was the roundish upper half of the LM, the command center and crew cabin as well as the launching rocket for leaving the moon. 

To save weight, there were no seats for the men.  They would stand, loosely held in place by straps.  In front and on either side of them were control panels for the LM’s guidance, communication, environment and propulsion systems.  On the left side, there was a window by which commander could look out to steer the LM.  Overhead in the middle section was the {{convert|90|cm|inch|abbr=off}} of [[diameter]] hatch where the astronauts transferred to and from the Command Module when two vehicles were linked.  LM’s ascent rocket to meet Command Module was below the deck of the midsection.  Although ascent rocket was small, it was sufficient because the moon’s weak gravity – one-sixth that of earth’s – meant that the LM would not require a strong push to rise from the lunar surface.{{fact|date=April 2019}}
== First flight of Lunar Module ==
On Monday, January 22, 1968, a 16-ton unmanned Lunar Module surrounded by a protective shield stood on top of a two-stage Saturn 1-B rocket called [[Apollo 5]]. This flight was made to do two important tests. One was to check separating stage from main rocket. The second was to check test firing of the descent engine, but this mission did not succeed. The [[Apollo 5]] test ended after eight hours, and the LM remained in earth orbit. It eventually dropped into the atmosphere and burned up.

== Apollo Lunar Module Media ==
<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>
File:Earth, Moon and Lunar Module, AS11-44-6643 c.jpg|{{ship|Lunar Module|Eagle}}, the Lunar Module ascent stage of [[Apollo 11]], in orbit above the Moon. Earth is visible in the distance. Photograph by [[Michael Collins (astronaut)|Michael Collins]] aboard the {{ship|Command module|Columbia}}.

File:Joseph Francis Shea.jpg|A 1962 model of the first LEM design, docked to the command and service module. The model is held by [[Joseph Francis Shea|Joseph Shea]], the key engineer behind the adoption of [[lunar orbit rendezvous]] mission logistics.

File:Lunar Lander Model.jpg|This 1963 model depicts the second LEM design, which gave rise to informal references as "the bug".

File:The Apollo 5 Mission NASA Apollo Program Lunar Module.webm|''The Apollo 5 Mission'' (1968), [[NASA]]'s [[Apollo 5]] information film reel focused on the Apollo Lunar Module.{{upscaled inline|date=March 2026|type=video}}

File:Moon Mission 1967.webm|''Moon Mission'' (1967) Official NASA Apollo Program information film reel.{{upscaled inline|date=March 2026|type=video}}

File:Lunar Landing Research Vehicle in Flight - GPN-2000-000215.jpg|[[Lunar Landing Research Vehicle]] (LLRV) during a test flight

File:Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle in landing configuration in lunar orbit from the Command and Service Module Columbia.jpg|The Apollo 11 [[Lunar Module Eagle|Lunar Module ''Eagle'']] in lunar orbit

File:Apollo 15 Engine Bell.jpg|Decreased clearance led to buckling of the extended descent engine nozzle on the landing of [[Apollo 15]].

File:Ap17-ascent.webm|Lunar ascent by Apollo 17 ascent stage

File:AP11 FINAL APPROACH.webm|[[Neil Armstrong]] lands the [[Apollo 11]] [[Lunar Module Eagle|Lunar Module ''Eagle'']] on the Moon, July 20, 1969, creating [[Tranquility Base]]. Starts approximately 6200 feet from the surface.

File:Apollo 15 landing on the Moon.ogg|[[David Scott]] lands [[Apollo 15]] Lunar Module ''Falcon'' on the Moon on July 30, 1971, seen from the perspective of the Lunar Module Pilot. Starts at approximately 5000 feet from the surface.

File:Apollo 15 liftoff from the Moon.ogg|Apollo 15 Lunar Module ''Falcon'' lifts off from the Moon, August 2, 1971. View from TV camera on the [[Lunar Roving Vehicle]].

File:Apollo 15 liftoff from inside LM.ogg|Apollo 15 Lunar Module liftoff. View from inside ''Falcon''.

File:Ap17-ascent.webm|[[Apollo 17]] Lunar Module ''Challenger'' liftoffs from the Moon on December 14, 1972. View from TV camera on the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
</gallery>
== Related pages ==
* [[Apollo Command/Service Module]]
* [[Apollo program]]
* [[NASA]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Other websites ==
{{commons category|Apollo Lunar Modules}}
* [https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-the-apollo-lunar-module/ 50 Years Ago: The Apollo Lunar Module]
* [http://www.google.com/moon/ Google Moon overview of Apollo landing sites]
* [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1971-008C NASA catalog: Apollo 14 Lunar Module] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722080138/http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1971-008C |date=2009-07-22 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UuRCwsGugg&t=4m50s Demonstration of the Lunar Excursion Module and explanation of its systems]
* [http://www.ehartwell.com/LM//index.htm Space/Craft Assembly & Test Remembered]
* [http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/the_bug.html?c=y&page=1 We Called It 'The Bug'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225134225/http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/the_bug.html?c=y&page=1 |date=2010-12-25 }},
* [https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/a11LM5structures.pdf ''Apollo 11'' LM Structures handout for LM-5] (PDF)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080725195300/http://www.btinternet.com/~ursine/LMhandbook.pdf Apollo Operations Handbook, Lunar Module (LM 10 and Subsequent), Volume One. Subsystems Data] (PDF)
* [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19710071423_1971071423.pdf Apollo Operations Handbook, Lunar Module (LM 11 and Subsequent), Volume Two. Operational Procedures]
* [https://history.nasa.gov/ap15fj/lmactindex.htm Apollo 15 LM Activation Checklist for LM-10] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302224949/http://history.nasa.gov/ap15fj/lmactindex.htm |date=2013-03-02 }}
* [http://www.maniacworld.com/lem-video-2.htm Lunar module launch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928100354/http://www.maniacworld.com/lem-video-2.htm |date=2011-09-28 }} video

[[Category:Apollo program]]
[[Category:NASA spacecraft]]