Lunar Roving
Short answer: The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was the electric car of the last three Apollo missions. According to NASA, it made its debut on July 31, 1971, when Apollo 15's David Scott and James Irwin drove it.
Rovers were also driven on Apollo 16 (John Young and Charles Duke) and Apollo 17 (Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt), each used for three traverses, one per day. NASA's Space Science Data Coordinated Archive gives its mass as 210 kg and its design payload as 490 kg (Wikipedia gives 440 kg), so it could indeed carry more than twice its own mass. The frame folded so it could ride to the Moon in a bay of the Lunar Module. Each of its four wire-mesh wheels had its own 0.25-horsepower electric motor, powered by two 36-volt silver-zinc batteries that were not rechargeable. Boeing built the rovers, with Delco as a major subcontractor. The original $19 million contract ended up costing $38 million for four rovers, one of which was used for spare parts. Apollo 15's rover was driven 27.8 km, and Apollo 17's went 35.9 km, with a farthest distance of 7.6 km from the lander. The three rovers are still on the Moon. The footage is a view from the rover's TV camera, wrapped in gold-colored thermal insulation, looking across the lunar surface.
What should you know about Lunar Roving?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
The Lunar Roving Vehicle was first driven on the Moon on July 31, 1971.
The Lunar Roving Vehicle had a mass of 210 kg and could carry 490 kg.
Video transcript: Lunar Roving: Apollo's Electric Moon Buggy
DID YOU KNOW? In 1971 Apollo 15 mission, astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive a lunar rover on the moon. The Lunar Roving Vehicle or LRV, was an electric battery-powered, four-wheeled buggy, designed to extend their exploration range. Weighing about 210 kg on Earth, it could carry over twice its own weight in astronauts, tools, and samples. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.7s Reel ·
The write-up
Apollo's electric moon buggy. First driven on the Moon on July 31, 1971.
- Exhibit A
Debut
The LRV first drove on the Moon on July 31, 1971, with Apollo 15's Scott and Irwin.
- Exhibit B
Three missions
Rovers were driven on Apollo 15, 16 and 17, three traverses each.
- Exhibit C
Light but strong
It had a mass of 210 kg and a design payload of 490 kg, per NASA.
- Exhibit D
Power
Each wheel had its own motor, run by two 36-volt silver-zinc batteries that were not rechargeable.
- Exhibit E
Still parked
Boeing built four rovers for $38 million. The three that flew remain on the Moon.
Questions people ask about Lunar Roving
On which mission was the Lunar Roving Vehicle first driven?
On July 31, 1971.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
What was the LRV's mass, according to NASA?
With a 490 kg design payload.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three missions) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; Wikipedia: Lunar Roving Vehicle
What powered the LRV?
Two 36-volt batteries.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three missions) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; Wikipedia: Lunar Roving Vehicle
Which company built the lunar rovers?
With Delco as a major subcontractor.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
On how many Apollo missions was a rover driven?
Apollo 15, 16 and 17.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
On which mission was the Lunar Roving Vehicle first driven?
- Apollo 15
- Apollo 11
- Apollo 13
- Apollo 17
Show the answer
Answer: A. Apollo 15 On July 31, 1971. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
What was the LRV's mass, according to NASA?
- 210 kg
- 2,100 kg
- 21 kg
- 700 kg
Show the answer
Answer: A. 210 kg With a 490 kg design payload. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three missions) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; Wikipedia: Lunar Roving Vehicle
What powered the LRV?
- Non-rechargeable silver-zinc batteries
- Solar panels
- A gasoline engine
- A nuclear battery
Show the answer
Answer: A. Non-rechargeable silver-zinc batteries Two 36-volt batteries. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Three missions) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; Wikipedia: Lunar Roving Vehicle
Which company built the lunar rovers?
- Boeing
- Grumman
- Ford
- Tesla
Show the answer
Answer: A. Boeing With Delco as a major subcontractor. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
On how many Apollo missions was a rover driven?
- Three
- One
- Six
- Two
Show the answer
Answer: A. Three Apollo 15, 16 and 17. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Debut) · NASA NSSDCA: The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; NASA: Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Lunar Roving." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-609, last updated Jul 6, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lunar-roving/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lunar-roving/ · Last updated
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