# Antares

> lunar module used during Apollo 14

**Wikidata**: [Q28101389](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28101389)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/antares-q28101389

## Summary  
Antares was the lunar module used during NASA's Apollo 14 mission, which landed on the Moon in 1971. It transported astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell to the lunar surface while Stuart Roosa remained in orbit aboard the command module. Antares was manufactured by Grumman and was part of the Apollo Lunar Module class.

## Key Facts  
- **Mission**: Part of Apollo 14, landing on the Moon on February 5, 1971.  
- **Call Sign**: Named "Antares" after the star Alpha Scorpii.  
- **Manufacturer**: Built by Grumman (serial number LM-8).  
- **Mass**: Launch weight of 15,279.26 kg, dry weight of 4,266.9 kg.  
- **Dimensions**: Height of 6.985 meters.  
- **Landing Site**: Fra Mauro formation (coordinates: -3.64589° latitude, -17.47194° longitude).  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Carried by Saturn V (SA-509) from Kennedy Space Center on January 31, 1971.  
- **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID**: 1971-008C.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Antares' role in Apollo 14?  
A: Antares served as the lunar module for Apollo 14, landing astronauts Shepard and Mitchell on the Moon while Roosa orbited in the command module.  

### Q: Where did Antares land on the Moon?  
A: It landed in the Fra Mauro formation at coordinates -3.64589° latitude, -17.47194° longitude.  

### Q: How much did Antares weigh?  
A: Its launch weight was 15,279.26 kg, and its dry weight was 4,266.9 kg.  

## Why It Matters  
Antares played a critical role in Apollo 14, NASA's third successful Moon landing mission. It enabled astronauts Shepard and Mitchell to conduct scientific experiments and collect lunar samples, contributing to our understanding of the Moon's geology. The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Apollo Lunar Module after the near-disaster of Apollo 13. Antares' success helped solidify NASA's capabilities in lunar exploration and paved the way for future missions.  

## Notable For  
- **First Mission After Apollo 13**: Proved the resilience of NASA's lunar landing program.  
- **Precision Landing**: Touched down in the scientifically significant Fra Mauro formation.  
- **Call Sign Tradition**: Continued NASA's practice of naming lunar modules after celestial objects.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Apollo 14 launched on January 31, 1971, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.  
- Antares landed on the Moon on February 5, 1971, at 09:18:11 UTC.  
- The ascent stage lifted off on February 6, 1971, at 18:48:42 UTC, and was later jettisoned in lunar orbit.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Manufacturer**: Grumman.  
- **Serial Number**: LM-8.  
- **Height**: 6.985 meters.  
- **Mass**: 15,279.26 kg (launch), 4,266.9 kg (dry).  
- **Location**: Remains on the Moon (ascent stage jettisoned in orbit).  

### Landing Site  
- **Region**: Fra Mauro formation (LQ19).  
- **Coordinates**: -3.64589° latitude, -17.47194° longitude.  

### Significant Events  
- Launch: January 31, 1971, at 21:03:02 UTC.  
- Moon Landing: February 5, 1971, at 09:18:11 UTC.  
- Ascent Stage Jettison: February 6, 1971, at 22:48:00 UTC.

## References

1. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-17_Call_Signs.htm)
2. Apollo: The Definitive Sourcebook
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-008C)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunar_sites.html)
6. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apolloland.html)
7. Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference