# Eagle

> lunar module used during Apollo 11; first crewed spacecraft on the Moon

**Wikidata**: [Q28101302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28101302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Module_Eagle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eagle

## Summary
The **Eagle** (also known as **Lunar Module 5** or **LM-5**) was the lunar module used during the Apollo 11 mission and is recognized as the first crewed spacecraft to land on the Moon. Manufactured by Grumman and operated by NASA, it successfully touched down in the Mare Tranquillitatis region on July 20, 1969. The module served as the base for the first human moonwalk before returning the crew to lunar orbit.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Apollo Lunar Module (Serial Number: LM-5).
*   **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
*   **Manufacturer:** Grumman.
*   **Mission:** Part of the Apollo 11 mission.
*   **Launch Date:** July 16, 1969 (Time: 13:32:00) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
*   **Moon Landing Date:** July 20, 1969 (Time: 20:17:40 UTC).
*   **Landing Location:** Mare Tranquillitatis (Statio Tranquillitatis); Coordinates: 0.67416°N, 23.47314°E.
*   **Lunar Ascent:** July 21, 1969 (Time: 17:54:00 UTC).
*   **Mass:** 15,094.65 kg (Launch weight); 4,212.5 kg (Dry weight).
*   **Height:** 6.985 metres.
*   **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1969-059C; NSSDCA ID 1969-059C.

## FAQs
### Q: When did the Eagle land on the Moon?
A: The Eagle landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, at 20:17:40 UTC. This event marked the first time a crewed spacecraft successfully touched down on a celestial body other than Earth.

### Q: What happened to the Eagle after it left the Moon?
A: After ascending from the lunar surface on July 21, 1969, the Eagle was jettisoned in lunar orbit at 23:41:31 UTC. It was discarded to allow the crew to return to the Command Module.

### Q: What was the call sign of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module?
A: The call sign for the lunar module was "Eagle." It was named after the eagle, the national bird of the United States.

### Q: How heavy was the Eagle lunar module?
A: The Eagle had a launch weight of 15,094.65 kilograms and a dry weight of 4,212.5 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
The Eagle represents a pivotal moment in human history and space exploration, serving as the vehicle for the first human moon landing during the Apollo 11 mission. Its successful operation proved that a crewed spacecraft could descend to a planetary body, support extravehicular activity, and ascend back into orbit to rendezvous with a command vessel.

The module's design and execution validated critical technologies for soft landing and lunar navigation, setting the standard for subsequent Apollo missions. Its significance is cemented by its cultural impact, immortalized by the phrase "The Eagle has landed," signaling the arrival of humanity on the Moon.

## Notable For
*   **First Crewed Lunar Landing:** It holds the distinction of being the first spacecraft to carry humans to the surface of the Moon.
*   **Apollo 11 Mission:** It was a critical component of the mission that achieved the U.S. goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the 1960s.
*   **Historical Call Sign:** The name "Eagle" became globally famous during the live broadcast of the landing.
*   **Technical Precision:** It executed a landing at Statio Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility) despite initial fuel concerns and rough terrain.

## Body

### Design and Specifications
The Eagle was an Apollo Lunar Module manufactured by Grumman, bearing the serial number LM-5. Structurally, it measured 6.985 metres in height. The vehicle recorded a total launch mass of 15,094.65 kilograms, with a dry weight of 4,212.5 kilograms. It was constructed specifically to support two astronauts on the lunar surface and return them to the Command Service Module in orbit.

### Mission Timeline
The Eagle was launched atop a Saturn V rocket (designated SA-506) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on July 16, 1969, at 13:32:00 UTC.

*   **Landing:** The "significant event" of the Moon landing occurred on July 20, 1969. The module touched down at Statio Tranquillitatis at 20:17:39 (NASA time logs vary slightly by seconds in sources, with mission logs citing 20:17:40).
*   **Ascent:** The module launched from the lunar surface on July 21, 1969, at 17:54:00 UTC.
*   **Jettison:** Following the successful rendezvous with the Command Module, the Eagle was jettisoned into lunar orbit on July 21, 1969, at 23:41:31 UTC.

### Location and Identifiers
The landed remains of the descent stage (left behind after ascent) are located on the Moon at coordinates 0.67416° latitude and 23.47314° longitude. In international cataloging, the Eagle is identified by the COSPAR ID **1969-059C** and the NSSDCA ID **1969-059C**. In the Wolfram Language, it is encoded as `Entity["Satellite", "04041"]`.

## 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=1969-059C)
5. Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference