On the Apollo missions, what happens to the jettisoned Lunar module before Command module reentry?

Question

Does the lunar module stay in orbit around the earth or does it float away into space?

Answer 1

It's launched toward the Sun.Otherwise it'd be a hazzard to navigation.

Answer 2

The lunar modules were either launched into solar orbit (as on Apollo 10), or crashed deliberately into the Moon to see if the impact would register on the seismometers left behind on some of the landings.

The only two exceptions were Apollo 9 and Apollo 13. Apollo 9 never left Earth orbit, so the lunar module simply burned up in the atmosphere. On Apollo 13 they needed the LM to get home again, and it too was directed to burn up in the atmosphere. There was a bit of added complication with the Apollo 13 LM caused by the radioactive power source for the experiments that were supposed to be left behind. Despite the designers building the radioactive material into a vessel that could survive a launchpad explosion or atmospheric re-entry without spilling nuclear material everywhere, paranoia prompted some organisations to insist NASA directed the Apollo 13 LM to the deepest part of the pacific so any surviving material ended up deep underwater. Frankly this was a complication NASA could have done without since they were busy trying to get the three astronauts back alive, and they had designed the LM experiments package specifically so they WOULDN'T have to take such special measures.

Answer 3

The astronauts release (jettison) it and it crashes into the moon. This is because it is not needed anymore and could not survive the reentry into earth's atmosphere anyway. This is also a useful procedure for the ground control teams on earth at NASA because they will use the impact of the Lunar Module to test the operating capability of equipment on the moon (left by the astronauts) which record 'moonquakes'.

Answer 4

it is jettisoned long before command module leaves lunar orbit. It was kept on Apollo 13 because they had to use it to get home.

Answer 5

It is sent into deep space.