Exploring the Abandoned Apollo Capsule in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 6: What It Reveals About the Story

May 18, 2025 — Fans of "The Last of Us" just experienced a nostalgic touchpoint in the latest episode of Season 2. In this compelling storyline, Joel and Ellie visit a museum that stirs deeper themes of exploration and hope.

In this episode, Joel surprises Ellie with a trip to the Wyoming Museum of Science and History. Ellie’s joy is palpable as they explore the space and astronomy hall. It’s a significant moment: her fascination with flight reflects a desire for freedom and control over her own future.

Inside the museum, they discover a working solar system orrery and historic spacesuits. The highlight? An Apollo command module. Ellie, wide-eyed, asks, "Is it real?" Joel confirms, reminiscing about the Apollo 15 mission from 1971.

As they climb into the capsule, Ellie dons a retro Gemini astronaut helmet. Joel gifts her a cassette tape, urging her to listen. The audio captures the iconic countdown to Apollo 11’s launch on July 16, 1969—a moment that changed history. As the countdown unfolds, Ellie is transported into a vivid imagination of space travel, contrasting the harsh realities of their world.

The original Apollo 15 command module, named "Endeavour," is currently displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Unlike the show’s version, it lacks the fictional vines and additional polishes.

Don Macaulay, the production designer for this season, revealed that the show’s command module was slightly bigger than the original for practical reasons. They utilized a mix of digital and physical sets to honor both the game and historical accuracy, crafting the module carefully with drawings from NASA.

Interestingly, despite the focus on detail, some elements didn’t make it into the final cut, like a whole dinosaur exhibit they built but didn’t showcase. Macaulay emphasized the importance of portraying iconic scenes true to the game, even while adapting for television.

As for what happens to the command module now that filming is complete? Macaulay mentioned, "We still have it. It could possibly find a home in a prop house or maybe be reused in another HBO Max project."

"The Last of Us" does more than entertain—it invites viewers to reflect on human resilience, hope, and our relationship with history. This recent episode serves as a reminder of our shared past and the wonders of exploration.

For more on the Apollo missions and their impact, check out NASA’s Apollo program page.

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