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The Grumman-built Lunar Module, or LM, was the first true spacecraft—designed to fly only in vacuum. It was a key component in fulfilling the Apollo program's goal of landing on and exploring the Moon. To accomplish this mission, the craft incorporated a technically challenging, throttleable rocket engine, a first in spacecraft design, which allowed it to safely land on the lunar surface.
The LM was a two segment vehicle, with an ascent and descent stage. The ascent stage was an irregularly shaped unit, epitomizing function over form, with a spartan pressurized crew compartment designed for two astronauts. It had a hatch in front for lunar operations and a docking hatch on top for connecting to the Command and Service Module (CSM). To save weight, there were no seats. Engineers also minimized the thickness of the metal skin covering the structure—paper-thin in some places. Windows were made flat and as small as possible. The descent stage provided propulsion and landing legs for the ultimate goal: landing on the Moon.
During an Apollo lunar mission, a Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) burn would place the Saturn V S-IVB stage on its trajectory to the Moon. The CSM would then separate, turn around, and dock with the LM. The crew would enter the LM at this point to conduct checkout procedures during the three-day coast phase to the Moon. After entering lunar orbit, the LM would separate, with the descent stage engine doing the work of slowing the spacecraft to a soft landing on the surface of the Moon.
Lunar surface duration ranged from less than 24 hours (Apollo 11) to 75 hours (Apollo 17). After completion of lunar surface operations, the descent stage served as a launch platform for ascent stage liftoff. The ascent stage then functioned as a single spacecraft for rendezvous and re-docking with the CSM in lunar orbit. Once the astronauts transferred themselves and lunar samples to the CSM, the ascent stage was jettisoned, or deliberately crashed into the Moon. The CSM then executed a burn of its rocket engine to leave lunar orbit for the three-day voyage home. Only the Command Module returned to Earth for an oceanic recovery, or "splashdown."
Ten LMs flew in space, all crewed except for the first test flight. None of these spacecraft returned to Earth. All were intentionally crashed into the Moon’s surface, burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere, or remain in perpetual solar orbit (Apollo 10). Today, only a few test parts and three LMs from canceled missions exist. A number of models have been built, one of which hangs in The Museum of Flight. Constructed single-handedly by artist Steven Brower over a period of several years, this mock-up is the result of a research project. His project involved having to learn and invent skills and techniques that he knew nothing about at the onset, but would represent a kindred, albeit miniature, achievement to that of the construction of the original LM. His research brought him close to people who actually worked on and researched the originals, as well as into the basements of museums and even to Grumman itself.
The Grumman-built Lunar Module, or LM, was the first true spacecraft—designed to fly only in vacuum. It was a key component in fulfilling the Apollo program's goal of landing on and exploring the Moon. To accomplish this mission, the craft incorporated a technically challenging, throttleable rocket engine, a first in spacecraft design, which allowed it to safely land on the lunar surface.
The LM was a two segment vehicle, with an ascent and descent stage. The ascent stage was an irregularly shaped unit, epitomizing function over form, with a spartan pressurized crew compartment designed for two astronauts. It had a hatch in front for lunar operations and a docking hatch on top for connecting to the Command and Service Module (CSM). To save weight, there were no seats. Engineers also minimized the thickness of the metal skin covering the structure—paper-thin in some places. Windows were made flat and as small as possible. The descent stage provided propulsion and landing legs for the ultimate goal: landing on the Moon.
During an Apollo lunar mission, a Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) burn would place the Saturn V S-IVB stage on its trajectory to the Moon. The CSM would then separate, turn around, and dock with the LM. The crew would enter the LM at this point to conduct checkout procedures during the three-day coast phase to the Moon. After entering lunar orbit, the LM would separate, with the descent stage engine doing the work of slowing the spacecraft to a soft landing on the surface of the Moon.
Lunar surface duration ranged from less than 24 hours (Apollo 11) to 75 hours (Apollo 17). After completion of lunar surface operations, the descent stage served as a launch platform for ascent stage liftoff. The ascent stage then functioned as a single spacecraft for rendezvous and re-docking with the CSM in lunar orbit. Once the astronauts transferred themselves and lunar samples to the CSM, the ascent stage was jettisoned, or deliberately crashed into the Moon. The CSM then executed a burn of its rocket engine to leave lunar orbit for the three-day voyage home. Only the Command Module returned to Earth for an oceanic recovery, or "splashdown."
Ten LMs flew in space, all crewed except for the first test flight. None of these spacecraft returned to Earth. All were intentionally crashed into the Moon’s surface, burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere, or remain in perpetual solar orbit (Apollo 10). Today, only a few test parts and three LMs from canceled missions exist. A number of models have been built, one of which hangs in The Museum of Flight. Constructed single-handedly by artist Steven Brower over a period of several years, this mock-up is the result of a research project. His project involved having to learn and invent skills and techniques that he knew nothing about at the onset, but would represent a kindred, albeit miniature, achievement to that of the construction of the original LM. His research brought him close to people who actually worked on and researched the originals, as well as into the basements of museums and even to Grumman itself.
Now located in: APOLLO
