# Falcon

> lunar module used during Apollo 15

**Wikidata**: [Q28101432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28101432)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/falcon-q28101432

## Summary  
Falcon is the Lunar Module used during NASA's Apollo 15 mission, which landed astronauts David Scott and James Irwin on the Moon in 1971. It was part of the Apollo program and was designed to transport crew from lunar orbit to the surface and back. Falcon remains on the Moon near the Hadley–Apennine landing site.

## Key Facts  
- **Mission**: Part of Apollo 15, launched on **July 26, 1971**, at **13:34:00 UTC** from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.  
- **Landing**: Touched down on the Moon on **July 30, 1971**, at **22:16:29 UTC** near Hadley–Apennine (coordinates: **26.13239°N, 3.6333°E**).  
- **Mass**: **16,437.28 kg** (launch weight) and **4,930.1 kg** (dry weight).  
- **Dimensions**: Height of **6.985 meters**.  
- **Manufacturer**: Built by **Grumman** as **LM-10**, the tenth Apollo Lunar Module.  
- **Call Sign**: Officially designated **"Falcon"**.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Carried by **Saturn V** (serial **SA-510**).  
- **Current Status**: Left on the Moon after ascent stage jettison on **August 3, 1971**, at **01:04:14 UTC**.  

## FAQs  
### Q: Where did Falcon land on the Moon?  
A: Falcon landed at Hadley–Apennine (**26.13239°N, 3.6333°E**), a region notable for its mountains and rilles.  

### Q: How much did Falcon weigh?  
A: At launch, it weighed **16,437.28 kg**, but its dry weight (without fuel) was **4,930.1 kg**.  

### Q: What happened to Falcon after Apollo 15?  
A: Its ascent stage was jettisoned in lunar orbit on **August 3, 1971**, while the descent stage remains at the landing site.  

## Why It Matters  
Falcon played a critical role in Apollo 15, NASA's first "J-mission," which emphasized scientific exploration over previous missions. It enabled astronauts to conduct extended lunar surface activities, deploy the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), and collect **77 kg** of Moon rocks. Falcon's landing site, Hadley–Apennine, was chosen for its geological diversity, offering insights into the Moon's volcanic and tectonic history. The mission demonstrated advanced lunar module capabilities, including longer stays and heavier payloads, paving the way for future deep-space exploration.  

## Notable For  
- **First Extended Lunar Stay**: Apollo 15's mission duration (**67 hours** on the Moon) was longer than prior Apollo missions.  
- **Scientific Focus**: Deployed the first LRV and collected key geological samples.  
- **Unique Landing Site**: Hadley–Apennine provided access to both mountains and a volcanic rille.  
- **Call Sign Tradition**: Named "Falcon" following NASA's practice of using avian-themed call signs for lunar modules.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched: **July 26, 1971**, aboard **Saturn V SA-510**.  
- Crew: David Scott (commander) and James Irwin (lunar module pilot).  
- Command Module: **Endeavour** (piloted by Alfred Worden).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Manufacturer**: Grumman Aerospace Corporation.  
- **Serial Number**: LM-10.  
- **Height**: **6.985 meters**.  
- **Mass**: **16,437.28 kg** (launch), **4,930.1 kg** (dry).  
- **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID**: **1971-063C**.  

### Landing and Surface Operations  
- **Landing Site**: Hadley–Apennine (**LQ12**).  
- **Surface Duration**: **67 hours**.  
- **Activities**: Deployed LRV, conducted three EVAs, collected **77 kg** of samples.  

### Post-Mission Fate  
- **Ascent Stage**: Jettisoned in lunar orbit on **August 3, 1971**, at **01:04:14 UTC**.  
- **Descent Stage**: Remains at landing site (**26.13239°N, 3.6333°E**).  

### Legacy  
- Advanced lunar geology studies.  
- Demonstrated feasibility of extended lunar exploration.  
- Contributed to NASA's understanding of the Moon's formation.

## References

1. Apollo: The Definitive Sourcebook
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063C)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunar_sites.html)
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apolloland.html)
6. Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference
7. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-17_Call_Signs.htm)