Cockpit, Lunar Module, Apollo, Mockup

This Apollo program simulator demonstrates the view from inside the Lunar Module (LM) during descent to the surface of the Moon. In each lunar landing mission, two astronauts stood inside a LM as they controled the gradual descent of the spacecraft. Sixteen rockets situated around the outer structure of the LM controlled the attitude of the craft. These rockets could be fired automatically by mechanical sensors or by the astronauts' inclinations. Landing on the Moon is unlike landing on Earth. The Moon's atmosphere is extremely thin, which restricted the possibility of a diagonal glide-type landing. Instead, the astronauts landed vertically. The retro-rocket of the descent engine assured a gradual touchdown.