Apollo Lunar Module

Imagine the Moon.....

The Apollo Lunar missions were an important part of man's exploration of space. In the future the Moon may be a very important base for exploration into deep space. The background information, activities and lesson ideas included are intended to help students and teachers explore the Lunar Module, Apollo Missions and the Moon. The Lunar Module at the Franklin Institute is pictured below. Explore this site and use it as a springboard for learning more.

Click on the images for larger views of the Lunar Module. You can also look at a labeled drawing of the Module. Components labeled in red are a part of the Institute's Module; components labeled in blue are missing from it.

The fourth annual Space Day took place May 4, 2000. Since 1997, it has been a way to celebrate the incredible phenomena that exist in our universe and honor the people who, through their space- related work, have greatly contributed to science, medicine, and everyday life. Even though this event only happens once a year, visitors to the Franklin Institute can turn each day into Space Day.

A back and side view of the Module. The yellow sign bears the inscription found below.

3-2-1...BLASTOFF! For years, those who frequent the Institute's Science Park can imagine they are on a mission to Mars, landing on the Moon, or leaving Earth to travel millions of miles into space. The object that sparks these astronomical imaginings is the Lunar Module, loaned to the Institute by NASA and exhibited outside the museum since 1976.


	The ladder leading up to the entrance (hatch with three vertical black lines) and a close-up of the Module's entrance.

The inscription on the Lunar Module reads:

Grumman Lunar Module (LM) Restoration Team
A group of Grumman Aerospace Corporation retirees and employees volunteered their time and labor to rebuild this spacecraft. The LM restoration team dubbed themselves "The Spacecats" just for this project. Another example of their versatile restorative skillsÖa U.S. Navy/Grumman F4F Wildcat, a World War II fighter airplaneÖis already on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.


In these pictures, some of the Module's antennae are visible. The Franklin Institute's Mandell Center stands in the background.

The Restoration Team consisted of the following Grumman employees and retirees:
William Adams, George Black, Charles Chlanda, Helen Chlanda, Fred Ciento, John DuDonis, Vinnie Emanuele, Anthony Ferrarioli, Milt Guttenberger, Gus Henriksen, Chris Herrnkind, John Kacinski, John Kost, William Murdoch, Joe Oliver, Joe Riccobono, Charles Salerno, George Smith, Charles Staffeldt, Sid Steele, and Joe Stryjewski. Project Director: Jake Bussolini; Consulting Engineer: Bob Specht; Administrative Assistance: Erwin McCalla, Steve Kiss, and Karl Watjen.