Glossary

Eugene Cernan on the moon.

To make using this blog easier, I have included below a glossary of terms and terminology related to space exploration and the Apollo missions. This is an ongoing work which is updated every time I refer to something on the main blog that has yet to be mentioned in the glossary.

If you have a question regarding a use of terminology or something referenced on the blog that does not appear here, please feel free to contact me.

Entries are in alphabetical order and are listed by their reference term, and then the explanation.

A

• Anders, William B. Apollo 8 astronaut.
  
• Antares. The lunar module for Apollo 14.
  
• Armstrong, Neil. Commander of Apollo 11 and first man on the moon.
• Aldrin, Buzz. Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 11 and second man on the moon.
• Aquarius. Lunar Module of Apollo 13 which became the mission “lifeboat” following the explosion that ended the mission.
• Allen, John. Mission engineer who worked at Mission Control who technically saved both Apollo 12 and Apollo 13.
• Ascent stage. Following the lunar landing, the bottom platform of the lunar module would serve as a base from which to launch the lunar module back into lunar orbit. The part that was launched back into orbit was the ascent stage.
  

B

• Borman, Frank. Commander of Apollo 8, who also had a key role on the review board following the Apollo 1 disaster.
• Bean, Alan. Apollo 12 lunar module pilot, and fourth man on the moon.
  

C

• Columbia. The Apollo 11 command module, piloted by Michael Collins.
  
• “Cleared the tower.” A statement used to signify that the spacecraft is in independent flight following lift off, given when the base of the Saturn V has cleared the launch tower.
• Conrad, “Pete” Charles JNR. Apollo 12 Commander and third man on the moon.
• Collins, Michael. Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot.
  

D

E

• Eagle. The Apollo 11 lunar lander.
  

• E.V.A: Extra vehicular activity. Any operations that take place outside of the space craft, such as space walks or excursions on the lunar surface. Technically, moon walks were EVAs.
  

F

• Falcon. The Apollo 15 lunar module.
  

G

• Gordon, Dick. Apollo 12 Command Module Pilot.
  

H

I

J

K

L

• L.M or L.E.M – Lunar (Excursion) Module. The space craft used for landing on the moon.
  

M

N

O

• Odyssey. Command Module of Apollo 13, crippled by a service module explosion during the mission.
  

P

Q

R

S

• Saturn V. The rockets used to launch the Apollo craft out of earth orbit.
  
• Shephard, Alan B. First American in space and Commander of Apollo 14 (fifth man on the moon).
  

T

U

V

Y

• Yankee Clipper. Apollo 12 command module.