Apollo Lunar Module Taxi

Apollo LM Taxi

Mission Profile

Apollo Lunar Module Taxi was a concept from around 1968 for a lightweight, stripped-down version of the Apollo Lunar Module designed to transport crew between a surface habitat and a lunar orbiting spacecraft with minimum propellant and equipment, envisioned for use with a permanent lunar base scenario where a dedicated crew transport vehicle was needed separately from cargo delivery vehicles. Unlike the full Apollo LM which carried extensive scientific equipment and had to be self-sufficient, the Taxi would have shed everything non-essential to maximize propellant fraction and extend the range of lunar surface operations. The concept was studied within the Apollo Applications Program but was never funded as the program was curtailed before extended-stay missions could begin.