The Fates of Apollo Lunar Modules: Exploring Their Destinies

Since the conclusion of the Apollo program, the old lunar modules (LMs) have followed a variety of fates. These modules played a crucial role in exploring the Moon and left behind a legacy that continues to fascinate space enthusiasts and historians. This article delves into the different fates of these iconic spacecraft and how they were handled by the end of the Apollo missions.

Museum Displays

Several lunar modules were carefully preserved and put on display in museums, where they can be admired for their historical significance and engineering brilliance. Among these, the Eagle and Falcon are two notable specimens.

Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle

The Eagle, the lunar module used by astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission, has a special place in space exploration history. Its ascent stage, which carried Neil and Buzz back to the Command Module, is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This preserved piece serves as a tangible reminder of the historic Moon landing.

Apollo 15 Lunar Module Falcon

Similarly, the Falcon, which carried astronauts Davison, Skylar, and Squibbs during the Apollo 15 mission, is also on display at the Smithsonian. Both these modules have valuable historical significance and represent milestones in the annals of space exploration.

Destruction

Some lunar modules were intentionally destroyed after their missions, particularly in cases where only the ascent stage returned to Earth. One notable example is the ascent stage of an LM used in the Apollo 12 mission. Following the successful completion of its mission, the ascent stage was intentionally left on the Moon, while the descent stage was either left on the lunar surface or was destroyed upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. This practice was followed for missions like Apollo 14 as well, where the decision to destroy the descent stage reduced the risk of contamination.

Scientific Research

In many cases, the modules that were not preserved were repurposed for scientific research and testing. Components were often replicated or analyzed for data collection. This process not only enriched our understanding of lunar exploration but also contributed to future space missions and research endeavors.

Storage

A few lunar modules were stored for potential future use or as backups. These modules remained in storage until they were deemed unnecessary for any further missions. While not destined for active use, their preservation ensured that valuable information and technology could be recovered if needed.

Final Thoughts

While many lunar modules faced destruction or storage, a few key examples were preserved for historical and educational purposes. The upper half of the lunar modules, such as the ascent modules, often ignited their rocket motors to climb back to orbit and dock with the Command and Service Module. After being jettisoned, they were typically discarded and either crashed into the Moon or burned up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

In contrast, the descent modules (the part with landing legs) remained on the surface of the Moon, either at the landing site or jettisoned near the intended landing spot. For the Apollo 13 mission, the lunar module was used as a lifeboat, but its ascent stage was also jettisoned once the Service Module was safely back in Earth orbit and burned up during re-entry.

Despite the various fates of these lunar modules, they continue to inspire and educate people around the world, serving as a testament to the remarkable achievements of the Apollo program and the spirit of human exploration.