Why was it important?
The Apollo Lunar Module, also referred to as the LM, helped astronauts in ways out of this world! Built by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation for the Apollo Program, it was the first vehicle designed solely for manned extra-terrestrial operation. Why was this vehicle so important? It carried astronauts from the Apollo Command Module to the surface of the moon and back. During the Apollo 13 mission, the spacecraft was aborted due to damage of the service module. The Lunar Module provided power to return the crippled vehicle and the crew back to Earth safely.
Ascent & descent
The Apollo Lunar Module consists of 2 base parts. A top part and a bottom part. The top part is called the Ascent stage. This stage can carry a maximum of two astronauts, navigation, guidance, control, communications, life support, environmental control, electrical power and propulsion systems.
The other part of the Lunar Module is the lower part called the Descent stage. It carries scientific equipment, a propulsion system, additional electric power, water and oxygen for the Ascent stage. On the last three Apollo missions it also carried the Lunar Rover Vehicle. The Descent stage is also used as a launchpad for the Ascent stage when the Lunar visit is done.
The other part of the Lunar Module is the lower part called the Descent stage. It carries scientific equipment, a propulsion system, additional electric power, water and oxygen for the Ascent stage. On the last three Apollo missions it also carried the Lunar Rover Vehicle. The Descent stage is also used as a launchpad for the Ascent stage when the Lunar visit is done.