Lunar Module Evolution

The Apollo lunar module went through many design changes. Of course, at first there was no lunar module; the "direct" approach sent a single spacecraft directly to land on the surface of the moon and then take off and head straight back to earth upon completion of the lunar exploration.

One early concept was the "lunar landing ferry". I hadn't seen this particular concept until I saw a model of it at the Cradle of Aviation. Some time thereafter, Dox Productions' Moon Machines "Lunar Module" episode featured this concept in a short film clip (actually, I'm not sure if it's a vintage film clip or whether it was a video created especially for the episode). However, the film certainly seems to depict the same concept:

Apollo lunar module LM ferry docked configuration
Apollo lunar module LM ferry landing
Apollo lunar module LM ferry takeoff taking off

Three video captures from Dox Productions' Moon Machines "Lunar Module" episode.
Capture by heroicrelics.

And then, in preparing some related pages, I saw that something very similar to this adorned the border of an early LOR pamphlet:

Apollo lunar module LM ferry mission

Adapted from Click image for a 2338x1052 pixel version of this image in a new window.
"LOR" Lunar Oribital Rendezvous: A Pathway to the Moon
Scan and adaptation by heroicrelics.

My personal favorite configuration is a 1962 concept. It features large, rounded windows and round docking hatches on both the top and the front. I've seen models of this concept at both the Cradle of Aviation and at the Smithsonian. This configuration was around long enough to justify making a batch of models, putting out a pamphlet, and featured it in a short film:

Apollo lunar module LM 1962 configuration docked
Apollo lunar module LM 1962 configuration landing

Two video captures from Dox Productions' Moon Machines "Lunar Module" episode.
Capture and clean-up by heroicrelics.

Check back here again in the future, as I plan on expanding this page. I know I've got some old GAEC documentation laying around here somewhere with additional early concepts ...