What is the most expensive car in the world? A McClaren? a Ferrari, an Aston Martin? Well if we extend the notion of the world a little and include the Moon and the answer is easy, NASA’s Lunar Rover cost millions during an era when millions actually meant a lot of money.
The Lunar Rover remains a fantastic example of engineers being allowed to design and build, without constraints from politicians, a vehicle perfectly designed for its role: to carry two Apollo astronauts across the gray, dusty surface of the moon in as an efficient manner as possible. The design was a contradiction in that it was a simple design, but incorporated a great deal of complex and cutting edge 1970s engineering technology.
Design Work on the Lunar Rover Started in 1964
Design studies started on what was initially called the MOLAB of 1964-65 and the LSSM of 1966-67. Two years later and after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin had left the first human footprints on the Moon. Boeing received a letter from NASA telling them that their submission for the contract had been successful. The Boeing contract for the development and production of five test and four flight vehicles totaled $19million.
The design and development came under the overall direction of the NASA Marshall Flight Center. The five pre-flight evaluation models are: the static mock up, an engineering model, a 1g training unit, a dynamic test unit and the qualification test unit. The contract called for Boeing to produce four flight rated lunar roving vehicles plus a number of non flight vehicles that would be used on Earth in astronaut training.
The first and overriding consideration that had to be taken into account in designing the Lunar Rover was that it must be extremely light, no more than 400 lbs. Secondly it must also be flexible through a wide range of acceleration, vibration and thermal environments to be found on the Moon’s surface, and capable of 10 mph and able to carry 1,000 lbs in weight on battery power.
The Lunar Rover was Exceptionally Light and Sturdy
A tubular box spring aluminum chassis supported the torsion bar suspension system, with a dust guard preventing granular spray from each wheel. The suspension system was of the double-horizontal-wishbone type – with a longitudinal torsion bar running through each assembly. The wheel’s supports an inner tire rim that in turn provides a support for a wire outer layer.
The design fulfilled the request for maximum traction and minimum distortion when traversing rough, boulder-strewn areas. NASA space based jargon not withstanding left the world with what was called the ‘mobility subsystem’ that essentially meant everything that was connected with locomotion. Each Rover was powered by two silver-zinc non-rechargeable batteries plus a distribution system. Should either battery fail, the other can carry sufficient load for mission termination.
The two seats are pivoted to rotate outwards 80 degrees permitting access to the seated position. The controls are located between the two seats with the display mounted on the floor.
With today’s technology the Lunar Rover looks cumbersome and obsolete, but in the early 1970s it was at the very cutting edge. One of the key technologies that was developed by Boeing engineers was the ability to make the vehicle as compact as possible. When stored the LRV is 5 ft 6 inches wide, 4 ft 11.5 inches long and 2 ft 10.8 inches high.
Where are the Lunar Rovers Today?
So where are the Lunar Rover’s today, apart from a few examples of this innovative vehicle held in American museums, the rest are all to be found somewhere much less hospitable, much less barren and much harder to get to: the Moon.
