command module

noun

1. (often initial capital letters) U.S. Aerospace. the portion of the Apollo spacecraft that contained the crew's living compartment and the on-board controls.

command module

noun

1. the cone-shaped module used as the living quarters in an Apollo spacecraft and functioning as the splashdown vehicle

Word History and Origins

Origin of command module¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

In Downey, North American Aviation built the command module of the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed astronauts on the moon.

From Los Angeles Times

However, his own first spaceflight only came in 1972 when he orbited the moon as pilot of the Apollo 16 command module, while two other crew members landed on the moon’s surface.

From Washington Times

In 1970, Mattingly was supposed to have joined the crew of Apollo 13, piloting the command module.

From Washington Times

Several days into the mission, an oxygen tank on the spacecraft’s service module exploded, knocking out most of the power and oxygen to the command module.

From Washington Times

However, his own first spaceflight only came in 1972 when he orbited the moon as pilot of the Apollo 16 command module, while two other crew members landed on the moon’s surface.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• capsule
• spacecraft
• spaceship