# Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article

> modified Lunar Module for Apollo 6

**Wikidata**: [Q89642682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89642682)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apollo-6-lunar-module-test-article

## Summary
The Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article (designated LTA-2R) was an uncrewed, modified Lunar Module launched on April 4, 1968, aboard the Apollo 6 mission. Manufactured by Grumman, it served as a mass simulator to test the Saturn V rocket's ability to carry a Lunar Module payload.

## Key Facts
- **Instance Of:** Lunar Module test article
- **Serial Number:** LTA-2R
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Manufacturer:** Grumman
- **Launch Date:** April 4, 1968
- **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- **Launch Vehicle:** Saturn V (specifically SA-502)
- **Part Of:** Apollo 6 mission
- **COSPAR ID:** 1968-025E
- **Country:** United States

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article?
A: The test article, LTA-2R, was used to simulate the mass and aerodynamic properties of a real Lunar Module during the uncrewed Apollo 6 flight test.

### Q: Did the Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article go to the Moon?
A: No, the Apollo 6 mission was an Earth orbital test flight designed to verify the Saturn V rocket's systems; the test article remained in Earth orbit.

### Q: Who built the Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article?
A: It was manufactured by Grumman, the same company responsible for building the flight-ready Lunar Modules used in the Apollo program.

## Why It Matters
The Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article (LTA-2R) played a critical role in validating the structural integrity and aerodynamic capabilities of the Saturn V launch vehicle, specifically in its capacity to carry the Lunar Module. As an uncrewed test article, it allowed NASA and Grumman to gather essential flight data without risking human life or a flight-ready spacecraft. The data acquired from the Apollo 6 mission, despite engine anomalies during launch, was instrumental in diagnosing issues with the Saturn V and ensuring the safety and success of subsequent crewed lunar missions. This entity represents a vital step in the iterative engineering process required to achieve the lunar landing goals of the Apollo program.

## Notable For
- Being a modified Lunar Module used specifically for the Apollo 6 mission.
- Serving as the second uncrewed test flight of the Saturn V rocket.
- Having the specific serial number LTA-2R.
- Launching from the historic Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- Being manufactured by Grumman, a primary contractor for the Apollo program.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Apollo 6 Lunar Module test article, identified by the serial number **LTA-2R**, was a class of **Lunar Module test article** designed to simulate the mass and flight characteristics of the actual Lunar Module. It was launched on **April 4, 1968**, using the **Saturn V** launch vehicle (serial **SA-502**).

### Mission and Operation
The entity was operated by the **National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)** and launched from **Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A**. Its primary function was to act as a **mass simulator** and structural test article within the Apollo 6 mission profile. Unlike later Lunar Modules, this entity was **uncrewed** and remained attached or in orbit depending on the specific mission phase requirements for testing the launch vehicle's performance.

### Identification and Records
The test article is cataloged under the **COSPAR ID** `1968-025E`. It is also referenced in scientific databases with the **Wolfram Language entity code** `Entity["Satellite", "03187"]` and has a **SCN** value of **03187**. An image of the Lunar Module LTA-2R is available in Wikimedia Commons, documenting its pre-flight configuration.

## References

1. Gunter's Space Page
2. Jonathan's Space Report