Jamestown is the NASA outpost on the Lunar surface. It is designed to be a lunar settlement for astronauts on routine trips, to the moon. It is installed on the rim of Shackleton Crater, not far from the landing site of Seahawk, the Lunar module of Apollo 15.
It was launched by a modified Saturn V rocket. It landed on the Moon on October 12th, 1973. The four descent engines, located on the sides of the base, to help it land properly, were repurposed from the Lunar Modules, as were the RCS thrusters. It was first occupied by the crew of Apollo 21.
Features
Some special features of the base include a working shower and heated cup holders in the galley table. Snoopy decals are placed all over the lockers, with color coding for each astronaut to help keep track of their belongings. Rowing machines, resistance bands and pull up bars are provided for exercise to help fight bone and muscle loss in 1/6th gravity. This also allows astronauts to hop onto the top bunk without a ladder.
Lunar Regolith is spread on top of the base to help shield from radiation. A special air filtration system helps keep the lunar dust out of the station as the dust is harmful to the astronaut's lungs and electronic equipment.
Solar panels cover the roof to provide power to the base. They pivot 90 degrees vertically to catch the sun which is always on the horizon at the Lunar South Pole. Two side hatches are built into the walls of the base to attach modules for future expansion. In 1983, the base has expanded to have nuclear reactor to provide power and fuel.
Crew
Apollo 21
- Molly Cobb
- Robert Crippen
- Joseph Engle
Apollo 22
- Edward Baldwin (commander)
- Gordo Stevens
- Danielle Poole
Apollo 24
- Ellen Waverly (commander)
Expansion
Jamestown in 1983 prior to the Phase 3 expansion.
As of 1983 Jamestown has undergone two expansions. Crews are now known by their Jamestown Expedition numbers. Crews varied between 4 and 5 personnel. The Phase III expansion was so large, and due to its radioactive payload, it had to be launched aboard the legendary Sea Dragon rocket, far out in the Atlantic Ocean. The Phase III expansion was controversial, after it was made public that the launch was carrying more plutonium for the base's nuclear power source. Which had been damaged while being turned off during a solar storm. This flight also carried another reactor intended to make weapons grade plutonium.
Jamestown 81
- Ellen Wilson
- Young
- Murphy
- Lee
- Walker
Jamestown 82
- Allen
- Harris
- Heikkinen
- Stewart
Jamestown 83
- Molly Cobb
- Miller
- Rodriguez
- Cartwright
Jamestown 84
- Davis
- Johnson
- Wubbo Ockels
- Steve Pomeranz
- Taylor
Jamestown 85
- Garcia
- Hayes
- Reed
- Eric Powell
Jamestown 86
- Howard
- Dr. Kouri
- Alex Rossi
- Mark Tremblay
- Williams
Jamestown 87
- Foster
- Jones
- Peterson
- Doug Price
Jamestown 88
- Nick Corrado
- James
- Petersen
- Tuzell
Jamestown 89
Space Shuttle : Discovery
- Cook
- Deweese
- Tracy Stevens
- Rogers
Jamestown 90
- Dubois
- Jacobs
- DeLeon
- O’Brien
- Smith
Jamestown 91
Space Shuttle : Columbia
- Natalie Bishop
- Jonathan Gatos
- Gordo Stevens
- Tremblay
- White
Gallery
Jamestown hab module under construction, late 1970
