The first SUV was driven on the moon

Modern pioneers
LRV, precursor
of modern
automobiles
Engineers worked for 17 months to
develop the <strong>first</strong> lunar rover. Many
of their developments are still used
today in terrestrial vehicles.
“<strong>The</strong> lunar surface
is extremely irregular and
is covered with fine,
slippery dust.”
David Randolph Scott
Drive system <strong>The</strong> lunar rover
<strong>was</strong> <strong>driven</strong> by four electric motors –
one on each wheel. Many electric
vehicle studies make use of this same
idea today.
Battery Power in the LRV <strong>was</strong>
supplied by two 36 volt batteries. <strong>The</strong>y
lasted for a total of 92 kilometers, but
were not rechargeable.
Wheels Each wheel could be
accelerated at different speeds.
Today’s cars also have this capability –
the technology is called the electronic
stabilization program, better known
as ESP. In addition, both the front and
rear wheels on the lunar rover could be
steered – like construction machinery.
Lightweight
construction <strong>The</strong> lunar rover
<strong>was</strong> made mostly of aluminum and
weighed only 210 kilograms, but could
hold a payload of up to 490 kilograms.
<strong>The</strong> lightweight concept reduced the
lunar module’s weight.
Navigation <strong>The</strong> “integrated
position indicator” told the astronauts
where they were on the moon – a precursor
of today’s navigation systems.
Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)
Container for
rock samples
Hinged antenna for
communications
Joystick for
steering
shadow device on the center console of
the LRV also served as a solar compass.
Scott and his passenger traveled
27.8 kilometers during their Apollo 15
mission. “<strong>The</strong> LRV allowed us to explore
three completely different regions
of the moon for the <strong>first</strong> time and take
some extremely important rock
samples.” An LRV <strong>was</strong> also used in the
last two moon landings to date, in
1972. “<strong>The</strong> LRV <strong>was</strong> a godsend d for
us,” says Scott. When asked
whether every other car isn’t
a bitter disappointment for
him since driving the LRV on
the moon, he says with a laugh:
“That really depends on the car.”
JAN DREIER
Power supply
with two 36-volt
silver oxide-zinc
batteries
Color TV
camera
Wireencased
tires with
titanium
chevrons
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