# Apollo Command and Service Module

> component of the United States Apollo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q680027](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q680027)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_command_and_service_module)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apollo-command-and-service-module

## Summary
The Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) was a crucial component of the United States Apollo spacecraft, designed to carry humans. It served as the primary crewed spacecraft for the Apollo program, facilitating missions that included lunar orbit and return to Earth.

## Key Facts
- The Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) was a component of the United States Apollo spacecraft.
- It is classified as a crewed spacecraft and an American spacecraft.
- The CSM had a maximum capacity of 3 astronauts.
- It was designed by Maxime Faget and manufactured by North American Aviation and Rockwell International.
- A total of 35 Apollo Command and Service Modules were produced.
- The CSM had a launch weight of 30,357 kilograms and a dry weight of 11,987 kilograms.
- Its dimensions included a length of 11 meters and a diameter of 3.9 meters.
- The module was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- It was launched using the Saturn V launch vehicle.
- The Apollo Command and Service Module had a service life of 14 days.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of the Apollo Command and Service Module?
A: The Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) was a component of the United States Apollo spacecraft, primarily designed to carry humans. It functioned as the main crewed vehicle for the Apollo missions, enabling astronauts to travel to and from the Moon.

### Q: How many astronauts could the Apollo Command and Service Module accommodate?
A: The Apollo Command and Service Module was designed with a maximum capacity of 3 astronauts. This allowed for a three-person crew to undertake the Apollo missions.

### Q: Who was responsible for designing and manufacturing the Apollo Command and Service Module?
A: The Apollo Command and Service Module was designed by Maxime Faget. Its manufacturing was a collaborative effort between North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

### Q: What were the key physical specifications of the Apollo Command and Service Module?
A: The Apollo Command and Service Module measured 11 meters in length and had a diameter of 3.9 meters. It had a launch weight of 30,357 kilograms and a dry weight of 11,987 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
The Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) was indispensable to the success of the Apollo program, which achieved the historic feat of landing humans on the Moon. As the primary crewed spacecraft, it provided the life support, propulsion, and navigation systems essential for transporting astronauts across vast distances of space, from Earth orbit to lunar orbit and back. Its modular design, comprising the Command Module for re-entry and the Service Module for in-space operations, represented a monumental engineering achievement. The CSM's ability to safely house and return a crew of three after missions lasting up to 14 days demonstrated unparalleled advancements in human spaceflight technology. It was the vehicle that carried humanity's hopes and dreams to the Moon, establishing critical precedents and knowledge for all subsequent human exploration beyond Earth's immediate vicinity. Without the robust capabilities of the CSM, the iconic Apollo missions would not have been possible, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of space exploration.

## Notable For
- Being the primary crewed spacecraft for the United States Apollo program, directly enabling all lunar missions.
- Its modular design, consisting of the Apollo Command Module (the re-entry capsule) and the Apollo Service Module (providing propulsion and support systems).
- Transporting a crew of three astronauts for missions with a service life of up to 14 days, a significant endurance for its era.
- Its substantial launch weight of 30,357 kilograms, reflecting the complex systems required for lunar-capable human spaceflight.

## Body

### Overview
The Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) was a fundamental component of the United States Apollo spacecraft. It is classified as a crewed spacecraft and an American spacecraft, specifically designed to carry humans. The CSM had a maximum capacity of 3 astronauts.

### Design and Manufacturing
The design of the Apollo Command and Service Module is attributed to Maxime Faget. Its manufacturing was a joint effort by North American Aviation and Rockwell International. A total of 35 units of the Apollo Command and Service Module were produced.

### Specifications
- **Length:** 11 meters
- **Diameter:** 3.9 meters
- **Volume:** 6.2 cubic meters
- **Mass:**
    - Launch weight: 30,357 kilograms
    - Dry weight: 11,987 kilograms
    - Payload weight: 1,050 kilograms
- **Maximum Capacity:** 3 astronauts
- **Service Life:** 14 days

### Operational Context
The Apollo Command and Service Module was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was launched into space using the powerful Saturn V launch vehicle. The Apollo Guidance Computer was a related technological component.

### Components and Variants
The Apollo Command and Service Module is composed of the Apollo Command Module and the Apollo Service Module. Specific instances of the CSM include:
- Apollo 11 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 14 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 17 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 16 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 12 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 10 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 15 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 9 Command and Service Module
- Apollo 13 Command and Service Module
- CSM-111, which was specifically used during the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project.

### Visuals and Models
- **Logo:** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Apollo_program.svg
- **Image:** An image of the Apollo 15 Command and Service Module in lunar orbit is available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Apollo_CSM_lunar_orbit.jpg.
- **Design Plans:** An image of the design plans can be found at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Apollo-linedrawing.png.
- **3D Model:** A 3D model is available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Apollo_command_module_smithsonian_high_detail.stl.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/SNA-8-D-027III-Rev2-CsmLmSpacecraftOperationalDataBook-Volume3-MassProperties.pdf)