Apollo Lunar Module. Illustration of the Apollo Lunar Module, the spacecraft used to land astronauts on the surface of the Moon. The Lunar Module consisted of two sections. The descent stage, supported by four folding landing gear legs, allowed a powered landing on the lunar surface, and served as a launch pad for the ascent stage. The ascent stage (top section) contained the cabin with flight controls and propulsion systems for returning the astronauts to lunar orbit and rendezvous with the orbiting Apollo Command/Service Module. The descent stage was left on the lunar surface.