Apollo 11 Mission to Moon

When the engine on the ascent stage of the lunar lander, ignited, it created a multi-color debris field that was visible for a fraction of a second. Of course, it also sent the astronauts back into lunar orbit where they linked with the orbiter and returned to earth. I tried to recreate the scene using a model and simulating a shutter speed that would capture the motion of the flying debris and the ascent of the capsule.

The ascent stage was launched using hypergolic fuels which burn on contact and don’t generate smoke. They also burn with a clear flame so there is little visible burn.

The moon isn’t very picturesque. Colors there range from light grey to dark grey. It doesn’t have mountains, but it does have craters, the edges of which resemble dunes on earth.
Photo by Allen Utzig

ApolloLunarLiftoffhypergolic fuelMoonsimulationAllen Utzig