KLEOS I

Apollo 11 · The Lunar Module · Chapter 1 of 7

Meet the Descent Stage

I was the lower half of Eagle. My job was to carry two astronauts down to the Moon and remain there as their launch platform.

Chapter 01 / 07 · Chapter 1

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Interactive 3D model: Apollo Lunar Module. Credit: NASA / Michael D. Carbajal. Source: NASA 3D Resources ↗

I am the part that landed

I am the descent stage of Apollo 11's Lunar Module, Eagle. I was an eight-sided structure approximately 4.2 metres across and 1.7 metres thick. Four landing legs supported me, with circular footpads spreading my weight over the lunar soil. Opposite footpads were about 9.4 metres apart.

Width4.2 m
Thickness1.7 m
Footpad span9.4 m
Dry mass2,034 kg

What I carried

My equipment included the descent rocket engine, two Aerozine 50 fuel tanks, two nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer tanks, and tanks for water, oxygen and helium. I also stored lunar equipment and experiments. One landing leg carried an egress platform and ladder for the astronauts.

My final responsibility

After the astronauts finished their work, I became the launch platform for the ascent stage. The upper half separated and flew away under its own power. I stayed where I had landed.

Remember: The descent stage did not fly back to Earth. It remained at the Apollo 11 landing site.

Mission details are based on the NASA/NSSDCA Apollo 11 Lunar Module / EASEP record supplied for this project.