Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 04-30-2004 07:42 AM               

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When did the LEM become the LM?
Anybody?

Noah

Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 04-30-2004 08:53 AM               

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I believe it was early in the development stage. I remember in Tom Kelly's book the idea came down from NASA that they were not happy with the word "Excursion" and wanted to avoid it at all costs. Most of us still refer to it as ther LEM (without the "E") probably because we were witness to the eight year development stage and all the changes that took place from first wood block model to finished spacecraft.

Cliff

Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 04-30-2004 10:36 AM               

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I believe that NASA was concerned with the public's connotation of the word 'excursion' and were worried that it sounded too much like the astronauts were having fun. Indeed the first entry in my dictionary defines 'excursion' as:

A usually short journey made for pleasure; an outing

Jonathan

Posts: 2141
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 04-30-2004 11:43 AM               

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The name "lunar excursion module" (LEM) was used by NASA until 1967. Because
their Puiblic Affairs Office thought that "Excursion" had a frivolous
connotation,
they shortened the name to "lunar module" (LM), which was still pronounced
"lem".

Thomas J. Kelly / Moonlander
Page 267

Adam

Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 04-30-2004 06:51 PM               

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thank you, one and all!

Noah

Posts: 501
From: Pearland, Texas USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-01-2004 09:13 AM               

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I recall hearing comments around the Control Center that a consideration for the name change was that the lunar lander would not be going on excursions on the Moon, hence the elimination of the word "excursion." Just another thought.
Sy Liebergot
Apollo EECOM: Journey of A Lifetime

[This message has been edited by Sy Liebergot (edited May 01, 2004).]