The Apollo Lunar Module needed to be as light as possible. It would also operate only in a vacuum and did not have to be sturdy or aerodynamic. To reduce weight, its hull was covered with various insulation blankets instead of rigid heat shields.
Flat-Earthers often ridicule the shape of the lunar module of being flimsy. In reality, there is no requirement to look pretty. The flimsy-looking things are just the insulation blankets. The actual hull underneath them provides structural support.
The lunar module’s insulation blankets have several layers. Some of these layers are omitted from various parts depending on the requirement. The dark materials are black-painted Inconel sheets. Their purpose is to maximize the emission of internally generated heat.
Golden colored materials are Mylar and Kapton sheets. Their purpose is to maximize the reflection of solar radiation.
Grey tiles are the aluminum Whipple shield to protect the spacecraft against micrometeoroid impact.
The layers were deliberately wrinkled by hand before installation to minimize physical contact between the layers. The less contact between the layers, the less heat is transferred by conduction.
References
- Apollo Panoramas – NASA
- Why does the ascent stage of Apollo 11’s lunar module look like it’s made of paper? – Space Exploration Stack Exchange
- The Lunar Module Too Flimsy? – Cosmoquest
- Why does the Lunar Landing Module look like it is wrapped in golden aluminium foil? – Quora
- Why did the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander have golden crinkly-looking metal on the base? – Quora
- How many different kinds of insulation film are wrapped around the Apollo Lunar Module? – Space Exploration Stack Exchange
- Was there any worry by NASA personnel during the moon landings about the spacecraft being hit by meteorites? Were any measures taken to protect the astronauts? – Quora
- Lunar Module Quick Reference Data – NASA