A full-scale model of the Apollo Lunar Lander’s interior now stands within the lobby of the Neil Armstrong Planetarium, achieved through the collaboration between a team of students and teachers. The project combines technical precision and creative teamwork, giving visitors the chance to simulate a moon landing.

“There are two computers situated where the windows are that run a program where students and visitors can try their hand at piloting and landing the lander,” technology education teacher Todd Bennett said.

The project began in the first half of the 2023-24 school year with Bennet and the eight mechanical engineering students using AutoCAD software to design the various sections of the lander, making sure it matched the real deal.

“Once those sections were done, I used AutoCAD to place them in the correct spots and make them one-to-one scale,” Bennett said. “During the third and fourth marking periods, Taber Baker cleaned up the images and made sure all lines were straight.”

The construction process relied on tools like laser engravers and vinyl cutters, as well as teamwork between multiple individuals. The model underwent assembly in the metal shop to ensure everything fit together before being installed in the planetarium.

“Our lander is spot-on with everything you would see if you were to go visit the actual one,” Bennett said.

Astronomy teacher James Krug played a key role in bringing the vision to life. His enthusiasm for creating an authentic and interactive experience inspired the project’s design.

“I turned to my friend, Mr. Todd Bennett, and he and his tech education classes recreated a lunar module interior with our old planetarium console,” Krug said. “It accurately matches the colors, dimensions and feel of the real Apollo lunar modules.”

The model also integrates a dynamic simulation program, allowing users to experience the challenges of piloting a lunar lander.

“Students and guests have the same exact pitch, roll and yaw controls that the real-life astronauts did,” Krug said. “They have to do what the astronauts call ‘null their rates’—reduce their horizontal and vertical velocity to nearly zero to land safely.”

The project’s success highlights the collaborative efforts of students and teachers, as well as the potential for future enhancements.

“I stopped down periodically to check with him and his students to see how it was coming along,” Krug said. “Finally, I kept him in the loop while I was working with my friend Mike Baker on integrating the actual computer consoles.”

Mountain Lion Television teacher Michael Baker worked to repurpose computers to use in the model.

“I worked through the technology department to get some computers that were going to be disposed of, and then found some keypads to use with them in the model, “ M. Baker said.

These components were combined and worked on to bring the model that stands today.

“I programmed those and set up the computer, and they basically launched in a simulator as soon as they started up, “ M. Baker said.

Future plans include adding components that mimic the Apollo lunar module’s original features.

“In the real Apollo lunar modules, they had drogues that hung down off a couple of the feet,” Krug said. “When they would contact the lunar soil, this pretty blue Lunar Contact light would come on inside, and that’s when the astronauts knew to kill the engine.”

Reflecting on the project, Bennett emphasized the educational and creative benefits of large-scale collaborations.

“Yes, I would be interested in more large-scale projects for the school,” Bennett said. “This was actually my third project over the last few years.”

Krug, too, expressed excitement about the project’s impact and potential.

“The screens actually show a model of the lunar surface, and it changes every single time,” Krug said. “You can land wherever you want on the moon.”

Bennett’s students also shared their personal experiences working on the project.

“I would say I helped to contribute to the overall aesthetics of the Lunar Lander to make the feeling of the lander be more immersive. I focused my work on the panels placed around the screen in Autocad, and helped with laying out the vinyl for individual panels, “ junior Taber Baker said.

T. Baker worked with a group of other students to achieve the goals provided by Bennet and Krug.

“I enjoyed working with others on this project and appreciated the help that I got from others like Mr. Bennett when I was struggling with placements or size, ” T. Baker said.

The project left some students feeling satisfied with the work they had done and proud of their accomplishment.
“I think that the final product turned out really well, and it accomplishes the task of making you feel like you’re piloting a Lunar Lander. After all of the hard work put into it, it can finally be admired by others.”

In the future, Krug plans on making further additions to the model.

“We’re actually going to add more to the existing console, “ Krug said. “I found a company online called Concord aerospace that actually sells replicas of the pieces. So we’re going to wire one on each side of the lunar simulator. “