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 Seattle Times

Two days after takeoff, an oxygen tank exploded, and the command module, Odyssey, began losing power.

From Seattle Times

China completed the Tiangong space station in November with the third of three modules, centered on the Tianhe living and command module.

From Seattle Times

China completed Tiangong in November with the addition of the third of three modules, centered on the Tianhe living and command module.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• capsule
• spacecraft
• spaceship