{
  "id": "boeing-lunar-roving-vehicle",
  "title": "Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle",
  "maker": "Boeing (wheels by General Motors)",
  "maker_type": "Space agency",
  "kind": "mission",
  "category": "rovers",
  "page": "https://spacemushroom.com/space-products/boeing-lunar-roving-vehicle/",
  "website": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
  "summary": "Battery-powered crewed rover used on Apollo 15, 16 and 17; NASA sources describe a welded 2219 aluminium frame, zinc-coated woven steel wire wheels and titanium chevron treads.",
  "application": "Battery-powered rover that let Apollo 15, 16 and 17 crews drive kilometres from the lander. Its folding aluminium frame and springy wire mesh wheels let it fit in the Lunar Module bay and still carry two astronauts over rough ground.",
  "story": {
    "headline": "The Lunar Roving Vehicle was a folding, battery-powered rover that carried two Apollo astronauts across the Moon.",
    "intro": [
      "Used on Apollo 15, 16 and 17, the rover let crews drive kilometres from their lander. Boeing built it, and General Motors made the wheels. The frame folded to fit in the Lunar Module bay, yet the rover could still carry two astronauts over rough ground.",
      "The frame was welded aluminium tubing. The wheels were springy wire mesh, woven from zinc-coated steel wire, with titanium chevrons across half the contact area for grip. Power came from two non-rechargeable silver-zinc batteries, and every wheel had its own electric motor."
    ],
    "built": [
      {
        "title": "The frame",
        "text": "The frame was made of aluminium alloy 2219 in welded tubing assemblies. It was 3.1 m long with a wheelbase of 2.3 m, and its maximum height was 1.14 m.",
        "parts": [
          "Frame"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "The wire wheels",
        "text": "Each tyre was woven from zinc-coated steel wire. Titanium chevrons covered half of the contact area to give traction. The springy mesh let the rover carry two astronauts over rough ground.",
        "parts": [
          "Wheel carcass (mesh)",
          "Tire (as described by NASA NSSDC)",
          "Tread chevrons"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Batteries and motors",
        "text": "Two 36 V silver-zinc batteries with a potassium hydroxide electrolyte powered the rover, and they could not be recharged. Each wheel had a DC series-wound motor of 0.25 horsepower, able to turn at 10,000 rpm.",
        "parts": [
          "Batteries (2)"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "materials": [
      {
        "name": "Aluminium alloy 2219",
        "mid": "aluminium-2219",
        "where": "The welded tubing of the frame."
      },
      {
        "name": "Zinc-coated steel wire",
        "mid": "zinc-coated-piano-wire",
        "where": "Woven into the mesh of each wheel."
      },
      {
        "name": "Titanium",
        "mid": "titanium",
        "where": "The chevron treads, which covered half of each wheel's contact area."
      },
      {
        "name": "Silver-zinc cells",
        "mid": "silver-zinc-battery",
        "where": "The two 36 V batteries, which used potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte and could not be recharged."
      }
    ],
    "connections": "Boeing built the rover and General Motors made its wheels. One went to the Moon on each of Apollo 15, 16 and 17, stowed in the bay of the Lunar Module. On Apollo 17 the rover covered 35.9 km in 4 hours 26 minutes of driving.",
    "unknown": "The alloy of the hub, rim and fixed hardware on the flight vehicles is not stated, nor are the materials of the seat, floor panels, electronics and antenna mesh. The hub and inner frame are known only from a prototype wheel.",
    "facts": [
      {
        "label": "Mass",
        "value": "210 kg"
      },
      {
        "label": "Payload capacity",
        "value": "490 kg on the lunar surface"
      },
      {
        "label": "Frame length",
        "value": "3.1 m, wheelbase 2.3 m"
      },
      {
        "label": "Power",
        "value": "Two 36 V silver-zinc batteries"
      },
      {
        "label": "Motors",
        "value": "One 0.25 hp DC motor per wheel"
      },
      {
        "label": "Apollo 17 distance",
        "value": "35.9 km"
      }
    ]
  },
  "specifications": [
    {
      "label": "Mass",
      "value": "210 kg",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "The Lunar Roving Vehicle had a mass of 210 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Payload capacity",
      "value": "490 kg on the lunar surface",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "designed to hold a payload of an additional 490 kg on the lunar surface"
    },
    {
      "label": "Frame length",
      "value": "3.1 m, wheelbase 2.3 m",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "The frame was 3.1 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.3 meters."
    },
    {
      "label": "Height",
      "value": "1.14 m maximum",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "The maximum height was 1.14 meters."
    },
    {
      "label": "Power",
      "value": "Two 36 V silver-zinc batteries",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "two 36-volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide non-rechargeable batteries"
    },
    {
      "label": "Motors",
      "value": "One 0.25 hp DC motor per wheel",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "a DC series wound 0.25 hp motor capable of 10,000 rpm"
    },
    {
      "label": "Wheel size",
      "value": "81.3 cm diameter, 22.9 cm wide",
      "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
      "quote": "81.3 cm diameter",
      "quote_check": "not matched on the source page"
    },
    {
      "label": "Maximum speed",
      "value": "16 km/h",
      "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
      "quote": "Maximum speed of 16 km/hr over lunar",
      "quote_check": "not matched on the source page"
    },
    {
      "label": "Destination",
      "value": "Moon; flown on Apollo 15, 16 and 17",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "the LRV was driven a total of 27.8 km"
    },
    {
      "label": "Total distance Apollo 17",
      "value": "35.9 km",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "the rover went 35.9 km in 4 hours 26 minutes total drive time"
    }
  ],
  "features": [
    {
      "text": "Folding three-part chassis stowed in the Lunar Module bay",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "The frame was made of aluminum alloy 2219 tubing welded assemblies"
    },
    {
      "text": "Individual electric drive motor on each wheel",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "a DC series wound 0.25 hp motor capable of 10,000 rpm"
    },
    {
      "text": "Wire mesh wheels with a bump stop and inner frame to limit deflection",
      "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
      "quote": "Bump-stop engagement at 600 N radial load",
      "quote_check": "not matched on the source page"
    },
    {
      "text": "Chevron tread covering about half the wheel contact area",
      "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
      "quote": "Titanium chevrons covered 50% of the contact area to provide traction."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    {
      "assembly": "Chassis",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Frame",
          "material": "aluminium alloy 2219",
          "form": "welded tubing assemblies",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The frame was made of aluminum alloy 2219 tubing welded assemblies",
          "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "aluminium-2219"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Wheels",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Wheel carcass (mesh)",
          "material": "zinc-coated piano wire",
          "form": "woven mesh, 800 strands of 0.838 mm",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "General Motors wire mesh wheel; NSSDC gives 0.083 cm steel strands",
          "quote": "800 strands of 0.838 mm, zinc coated piano wire",
          "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "zinc-coated-piano-wire"
        },
        {
          "part": "Tire (as described by NASA NSSDC)",
          "material": "zinc-coated steel wire",
          "form": "woven strands",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "tire made of zinc coated woven 0.083 cm diameter steel strands",
          "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "zinc-coated-piano-wire"
        },
        {
          "part": "Tread chevrons",
          "material": "titanium",
          "form": "chevron tread strips",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Titanium chevrons covered 50% of the contact area to provide traction.",
          "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
          "profile": "titanium",
          "mid": "titanium"
        },
        {
          "part": "Inner frame (MESH-1 prototype wheel; flight material not stated)",
          "material": "titanium",
          "form": "inner frame",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a titanium inner frame, and an aluminum hub and wheel disc",
          "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
          "profile": "titanium",
          "mid": "titanium"
        },
        {
          "part": "Hub and wheel disc (MESH-1 prototype wheel)",
          "material": "aluminium (alloy not stated)",
          "form": "hub and disc",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "an aluminum hub and wheel disc",
          "source_url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100000019",
          "profile": "aluminium",
          "mid": "aluminium"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Power",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Batteries (2)",
          "material": "silver-zinc cells with potassium hydroxide electrolyte",
          "form": "36 V non-rechargeable",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "two 36-volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide non-rechargeable batteries",
          "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "silver-zinc-battery"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Body panels (qualification test unit)",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Fenders",
          "material": "fiberglass",
          "form": "fenders",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Smithsonian qualification test unit listing",
          "quote": "Aluminum chassis, zinc-coated piano wire wheels, fiberglass fenders, canvas, nylon, brass",
          "source_url": "https://airandspace.si.edu/es/collection-objects/lunar-roving-vehicle-qualification-test-unit/nasm_A19760746000",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "fiberglass"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Communications",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "High-gain antenna dish",
          "material": "mesh (material not stated)",
          "form": "mesh dish on mast",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "A large mesh dish antenna was mounted on a mast",
          "source_url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "materials": [
    {
      "id": "aluminium-2219",
      "name": "aluminium alloy 2219",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "zinc-coated-piano-wire",
      "name": "zinc-coated steel wire",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "titanium",
      "name": "titanium",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/titanium/"
    },
    {
      "id": "aluminium",
      "name": "aluminium (alloy not stated)",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/aluminium/"
    },
    {
      "id": "silver-zinc-battery",
      "name": "silver-zinc cells with potassium hydroxide electrolyte",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "fiberglass",
      "name": "fiberglass",
      "material_page": null
    }
  ],
  "standards": [],
  "relations": [],
  "not_published": "Alloy of hub, rim and fixed hardware on the flight vehicles not stated in sources found; the MESH-1 hub and inner frame are from a prototype description in NASA/TM-2009-215798. Antenna mesh, seat, floor panels and electronics materials not found. Launch dates not stated on the NSSDC page. Original Boeing/GM reports not retrieved. Smithsonian fender and canvas/nylon/brass items are from the museum qualification test unit.",
  "depth": "partial",
  "photos": [
    {
      "file": "products/context/boeing-lunar-roving-vehicle-1.jpg",
      "alt": "Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan driving the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon, with fender flag and hills behind",
      "long": "Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan driving the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Moon, with fender flag and hills behind",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "NASA / Harrison H. Schmitt (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NASA_Apollo_17_Lunar_Roving_Vehicle.jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/boeing-lunar-roving-vehicle-2.jpg",
      "alt": "Apollo 15: astronaut saluting beside the US flag, Lunar Module Falcon and the Lunar Roving Vehicle with its high-gain",
      "long": "Apollo 15: astronaut saluting beside the US flag, Lunar Module Falcon and the Lunar Roving Vehicle with its high-gain antenna at right",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "Astronaut David R. Scott, Apollo 15 commander. (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apollo_15_flag,_rover,_LM,_Irwin.jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/boeing-lunar-roving-vehicle-3.jpg",
      "alt": "Lunar Roving Vehicle test article in a NASA facility, seats, high-gain antenna, TV camera and wire-mesh wheels visible",
      "long": "Lunar Roving Vehicle test article in a NASA facility, seats, high-gain antenna, TV camera and wire-mesh wheels visible (S71-00166)",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "NASA Johnson Space Center (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closeup_View_-_Lunar_Roving_Vehicle_(LRV)_-_Apollo_XV_(S71-00166).jpg"
    }
  ],
  "context": {
    "size": [],
    "mass": [],
    "orbit": []
  },
  "licence": "Product data CC BY 4.0, cite Space Mushroom. Photos keep their own licences, given per photo.",
  "mcp": "https://spacemushroom.com/mcp"
}