NASA Moon Program: Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (1962)
by Anonymous
NASA debated how to reach the Moon. John Houbolt championed Lunar Orbit Rendezvous despite initial ridicule. It required a smaller spacecraft, saving weight and money, making Kennedy's deadline achievable.
Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (LOR)
1962
year
Lightest — separate lander
spacecraft weight
High — orbital docking required
complexity
Chosen — Apollo succeeded in 1969
outcome
Direct Ascent (Nova Rocket)
1962
year
Heaviest — single massive rocket
spacecraft weight
Lower — no docking
complexity
Not chosen — rocket too large to build in time
outcome
Earth Orbit Rendezvous (EOR)
1962
year
Medium — assemble in Earth orbit
spacecraft weight
High — multiple launches per mission
complexity
Not chosen — too many launches
outcome
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