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lunar module

lunar module

8 4.9
A small spacecraft that carries astronauts from orbit down to the moon's surface and back
  • noun
  • /ˈluːnər ˈmɒdʒuːl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : módulo lunar
  • Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin had strapped into the lunar module Eagle to begin their final descent.
  • Apollo lunar module
  • lunar module pilot
  • lunar module Eagle

His command module pilot was Ron Evans and the lunar module pilot was Harrison Schmidt.

Examples

  • Apollo 11, you have been cleared to commence lunar module docking.

  • Collins helps Armstrong and Aldrin into the lunar module.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Are we ready to begin transfer to the lunar module?

  • After the burn, they had to check out the lunar module.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Everybody, let's get turned around and pick up the lunar module.

  • The lunar module is to land in an area called the Sea of Tranquility.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The lunar module settles on the moon.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • On July 20th, 1969, as commander of the Apollo 11 lunar module, Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon.

    Blog text (21)
  • Houston, we are commencing lunar module disengagement phase.

  • Before heading to the moon's surface, the astronauts entered the lunar module for their descent.

Synonyms

lander
vslunar module
  • Specialized
41 7.9

A machine that lands on the surface of the moon or another planet

is specific to carrying crew between command craft and the moon surface
LEM
vslunar module
  • Archaic
10 8.7

A small spacecraft that carries astronauts between the moon and the main ship

is the general term for the same surface transport craft
lunar excursion module
vslunar module
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A small spacecraft that takes astronauts from the main spacecraft to the moon's surface and back

is the general vehicle term rather than a mission-specific name

Surface Forms

lunar module singular
lunar modules plural

Morphology

lunar + module

The meaning is directly compositional: 'lunar' (related to the moon) modifies 'module' (a detachable compartment), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a module used for the moon. While finer technical details (its specific function in crew transfer and landing) are specialized, the basic referent is transparently derived from the constituents and follows a common adjective+noun pattern.

Etymology

The compound noun lunar module was made for moon landings. Lunar means 'of the moon' and module means 'a separate part', so the phrase names the small ship that carries astronauts from the main ship down to the moon and back.