What was the name of Apollo 16’s lunar module?

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Apollo 16’s lunar module was named Orion.

Orion carried John Young and Charles Duke from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface during Apollo 16 in April 1972. The astronauts landed in the Descartes Highlands, an area chosen to investigate whether the region was volcanic in origin. They conducted three surface excursions and used the lunar roving vehicle to travel farther from the landing site.

Thomas K. Mattingly remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module Casper. After surface operations, Young and Duke launched Orion’s ascent stage and rendezvoused with Mattingly before returning to Earth.

Apollo lunar modules had individual names that can be confused. Apollo 11 used Eagle, Apollo 12 used Intrepid, Apollo 14 used Antares, and Apollo 17 used Challenger. Orion belongs specifically to Apollo 16.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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