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Landers

friznit edited this page Aug 10, 2022 · 6 revisions

Early Lander Concept

The BDB Dona lander is a fictional concept derived from the many design proposals for a Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (LOR) lander which separates from the mothership before landing on the surface, as opposed to a Direct Ascent lander where the whole spacecraft lands.

Tags: Dona

Dona Lander

Apollo Lunar Module

The Apollo Lunar Module (BDB MLEM) is a 2-stage space vehicle. The descent stage has cargo space for Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) and serves as a launch pad for the crewed ascent stage's return to orbit and rendezvous with the Command & Service Module.

The Extended Lunar Module (ELM) used on three "J-class" missions (Apollo 15, 16, 17) has space for a folded Lunar Roving Vehicle in Quadrant 1 of the descent stage.

Tags: MLEM

Apollo 11 MLEM

Lunar Module Derivatives

The Apollo Applications Programme proposed a number of modified Lunar Modules for extended stay and exploration on the lunar surface.

  • Early Lunar Shelter

  • LM Shelter is the LM with the ascent stage engine and fuel tanks replaced by life support and science experiments. It is landed autonomously and the orbiting Apollo CSM returns home. Use the LM Truck config for the Descent Stage Assembly.

front_LM Shelter_1

  • LM Taxi is used in a subsequent mission to ferry a crew of up to 3 to the surface, where they transfer to the LM Shelter for the duration of their stay.

front_LM Taxi_1

  • LM Truck is used for unmanned delivery of payloads to the surface. It has a modified descent stage with a cargo platform replacing the ascent stage and includes an extendable ramp for deploying rovers.

front_LM Truck_1

Other Applications

LM Lab is an ascent stage with the engine and fuel removed to provide space for science experiments and supplies to support 3 crew for up to 30 days in orbit. It is launched on Saturn V or Saturn IB.

front_LM Lab_1

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