The Moon's Emergency Exit: 'LESS' The Ultimate Backup Plan

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The Lunar Escape Systems (LESS) were a remarkable series of emergency vehicles that were designed to save lives in case of long-duration Apollo missions that were never to be flown. These hypothetical missions, unlike the planned but cancelled Apollo missions, would have been a true test of human ingenuity and technological advancement.

The concept of LESS was a spin-off from the Lunar Flying Vehicle, a lunar surface mobility design, that was eventually scrapped in favor of the safer Lunar Rover. Unlike the multiple redundant systems used in the rest of the Apollo program, the LESS was kept as simple as possible, yet still capable of executing its crucial mission.

One of the defining features of the LESS was the use of fuel from the LM ascent stage tanks, eliminating the need to carry extra fuel and reducing the vehicle's weight. All life support was provided by the astronauts' space-suit backpacks, a brilliant solution that reduced the complexity and mass of the LESS, but presented a new challenge - the astronauts had to rendezvous with the orbiting CSM within the limited four-hour backpack oxygen supply.

The propulsion system of the typical LESS designs was innovative, utilizing flexible fuel tanks that could be folded flat for storage. Upon connecting to the LM ascent stage, the tanks would expand to their full size, ready for take-off.

Guidance in these designs was kept minimal, consisting of only an 'eight-ball' to indicate the spacecraft's attitude, a clock to show the time since liftoff, and a planned pitch program. The Apollo Guidance Computer, which was used as an autopilot for the CSM and LM, weighed about a hundred pounds and consumed a significant amount of power. Thus, computer-controlled flight was out of the question, and the astronauts had to manually fly the rocket to orbit with far less instrumentation than normal.

In conclusion, the LESS designs were never needed, as the Apollo program was cancelled before the long-duration missions could be flown. Nevertheless, they stand as a testament to human ingenuity and a reminder of the challenges faced by engineers and astronauts during the Apollo program.

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That is the most minimalist emergency escape system I have ever seen. But if it works and saves their lives. Then that is wonderful.

MrCyclejay

Legends say these two guys are still roaming in universe 🙂

SonijiRJ

Just so everyone knows it’s only designed to get them to the lunar orbital module. It is not for re-entry.

bloodpotato

Cameraman is always there to entertain us 😂

mercythudumu

The real first episode of For All Mankind should have been a pair of Cosmonauts using something like this for the ascent to a stripped-down Soyuz.

pseudotasuki

I see there are four armoured spheres to protect the massive balls those astronauts must have to attempt such a maneuver. Where is the fuel kept?

robert-trading-as-Bob

The crew missed their camera man on moon

ShihabdeentheCyclist

Could you imagine being on that contraption and putting yourself into Lunar orbit. First of all The view on the dark side of the moon would be astonishingly beautiful. Then, you have to guide it to the orbital spaceship matching its speed, and climbing in with nothing protecting you from space debris but your suit.... just wow. These guys are superheroes.

SethingtonIII

When NASA engineers play too much KSP and want to save money:

jaceksotys

Now *thats* a Kerbal Space Program design if I’ve ever seen one!

PeanutButterWasTaken

Was designed for Apollo missions that were never flown, so never constructed.

johnwhitmore

..WOW!!
..Looks very futuristic ! ! 💙👌🏼

A.Netizen.Since.

I can't imagine the level of courage it took for those guys to go to the moon, like that. Heros all.

skysurferuk

Think about the moon landings…they had one engine that was never tested and it had to work the first and only time, it not only did but on Apollo 13 it saved there lives as well! Well done to those great Americans that designed, developed & built those great machines!

Mtlmshr