Engineering:Lunar module (UFO)

In the UFO TV series, the Lunar module is the only SHADO spacecraft capable of Earth–Moon travel. On Earth, it can only take off and land docked with a mother ship known as the Lunar Carrier, as part of its tail.

This spacecraft takes off and lands on the Moon in an upright position on a launch pad on SHADO Moonbase.

Description

The SHADO Lunar module is a red spaceplane – usually manned by two crewmembers – with a large rocket engine on the rear and, eventually, a reaction control system (its re-entry angle of attack is a recurring plot element, such as in the episode "Conflict"). It is equipped with many angle control systems, anti-UFO radars (which as shown in "Conflict" itself, can be easily eluded by hostile limpet UFOs that attack themselves to the craft's lower skin section) and two "compoter [sic] displays" used as timers and videophones. The engines of the module are controlled by a series of little, colored levers near the pilot's seats.

Differently from SHADO's Moon Hoppers (later named "Moonmobiles" in reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey's Moonbuses), these spacecraft cannot land in horizontal position, like the Space: 1999 Mark IX Hawks, but achieve VTVL landing operations at the SHADO Moonbase.

Launch vehicle

Lunar Carrier
First appearance	"Computer Affair"
Last appearance
Information
Affiliation	SHADO Control
Launched	≥ "Identified" (1970)
General characteristics
Class	Spacecraft carrier aircraft/launch vehicle
Propulsion	Turbine propulsion

The Lunar module uses a powerful launch vehicle VTOL aircraft, the Lunar Carrier, during its flights. The module, before the flight, is docked to the Carrier as part of its tail, and, when a certain altitude is reached, it undocks and flies to the Moon.

See also

• SHADO Interceptor
• Skydiver (submarine)
• Eagle Transporter