Lunar Excursion Module

The Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), also known as the Lunar Module, was a spacecraft designed for NASA’s Apollo missions to the Moon. It had two stages: a descent stage to land on the Moon and an ascent stage to lift astronauts back into orbit. Built specifically for lunar surface exploration, the LEM provided a safe place for astronauts to land, work, and then return to the main spacecraft orbiting the Moon. It was a critical component that enabled humans to visit and study the Moon directly, marking a major achievement in space exploration.