The Lunar

Module
Lunar Module Design Team at Grumman Engineering The Earth seen from the surface of the Moon. (NASA Neil Armstrong stepping off the LEM onto the surface of The Moon. (National Geographic)
Corp. (1969) 1968) the Moon. (1969)

Importance
➢ Designed in the 1960s by The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, The Lunar Module (LEM) was the
first human-operated spacecraft to operate exclusively in space. The LEM is regarded by many as one of the
greatest feats in aerospace engineering history and was piloted by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on their
descent to the Moon.
 Completed
Module
Decent Stage
➢ Contained the landing equipment
and rocket, oxidizer tanks, helium
and oxygen tanks, and mission
equipment.
➢ Later module designs included
space for the lunar rover.
➢ Left on the Moon.
Ascent Stage
➢ Included the docking hatch,
displays and control terminals,
communication antennas, and
housed the astronauts.
➢ Only stage that returns to the
Command Module
Usage
The Lunar Module design was
famously first witnessed during the
Apollo 11 mission on July 24th,
Apollo 14 Moon landing

1969. However, the design saw 5

more expeditions to the moon on
Apollo 12-17 but 13’s LEM was
used as a last resort to return the Apollo 15 Moon landing
Apollo 12 Moon landing

crew to Earth after an explosion

damaged the Service Module.

Apollo 17 Moon landing

Apollo 16 Moon landing
How The LEM Works: Descension
The Descent

➢ 2 of the 3 astronauts move to the LEM from the

Command and Service Module (CSM) and perform Lunar Module with both descent and ascent stages.

detachment procedures.
➢ Once descending, landing radar transmits microwaves
to the lunar surface.
➢ The Lunar Module’s computer measures the delay in
transmission between waves that are returned to the
spacecraft and then calculates the proximity to the
surface, making necessary adjustments.
How The LEM Works: Ascension
Return Trip

➢ The Lunar Module begins its ascension back to the CSM by

detaching from its lower section using calculated explosive
bolts, propelling off the surface.
➢ Once separated from the lower section, propulsion rockets Lunar Module 17 in an ascension stage.

providing 3500 pounds of thrust guide the ascension stage of

the module, containing the crew and their equipment from
the mission into lunar orbit.
➢ Specially designed antennas inside the LEM receive
transmissions from the transponder in the CSM. The
transponder sends information regarding the CSM's position
and velocity. With this information, the two sections
maneuver so that they can dock together.
Works Cited
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Works Cited
9. NASA. “Apollo 17 Moon Landing.” PHOTOS: Apollo 17 Is NASA’s Last Moon Landing Mission, 15 Oct. 2019, https://www.krqe.com/photo-galleries/photos-apollo-17-is-nasas-

last-moon-landing-mission/. Accessed 9 May 2022.

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