# Lunar Roving Vehicle

> type of battery-powered four-wheeled rover used on the Moon in the last three missions of the American Apollo program

**Wikidata**: [Q275816](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q275816)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Roving_Vehicle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-roving-vehicle

## Summary
The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was a battery-powered, four-wheeled rover used by NASA during the last three Apollo missions (Apollo 15, 16, and 17) to explore the Moon's surface. Designed to extend astronauts' mobility, it allowed them to travel farther and conduct more scientific research than walking alone.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Battery-powered, four-wheeled lunar rover
- **Missions**: Used in Apollo 15 (1971), Apollo 16 (1972), and Apollo 17 (1972)
- **Mass**: 210 kilograms
- **Dimensions**: 3.1 meters long, 1.14 meters high, with a 2.3-meter wheelbase
- **Range**: 35.9 kilometers per charge
- **Energy Source**: Silver oxide batteries
- **Designed by**: Ferenc Pavlics
- **Manufacturers**: Boeing and General Motors
- **Classifications**: Lunar rover, electric vehicle, spacecraft model
- **Aliases**: Lunar rover, Moon buggy, Lunar surface vehicle, Rover lunar, LRV, Coche lunar, Jeep lunaire, Mondauto, Mondfahrzeug

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Lunar Roving Vehicle?
A: The LRV was designed to extend astronauts' mobility on the Moon, allowing them to travel farther and conduct more scientific research than walking alone.

### Q: Which Apollo missions used the Lunar Roving Vehicle?
A: The LRV was used in Apollo 15 (1971), Apollo 16 (1972), and Apollo 17 (1972).

### Q: How far could the Lunar Roving Vehicle travel on a single charge?
A: The LRV had a range of 35.9 kilometers per charge.

### Q: Who designed the Lunar Roving Vehicle?
A: The LRV was designed by Ferenc Pavlics.

### Q: What type of batteries powered the Lunar Roving Vehicle?
A: The LRV was powered by silver oxide batteries.

## Why It Matters
The Lunar Roving Vehicle was a critical component of NASA's Apollo program, enabling astronauts to explore the Moon's surface more efficiently than walking alone. It allowed for greater scientific exploration, including the collection of more lunar samples and the establishment of longer-term research stations. The LRV demonstrated the feasibility of electric vehicles in extreme environments and paved the way for future lunar exploration missions. Its success highlighted the importance of mobility in space exploration, influencing the design of subsequent rovers and vehicles for planetary missions.

## Notable For
- **First Lunar Rover**: The LRV was the first vehicle to be driven on the Moon, revolutionizing lunar exploration.
- **Extended Mobility**: It allowed astronauts to cover distances up to 35.9 kilometers, significantly expanding their reach.
- **Scientific Impact**: Enabled the collection of more lunar samples and the conduct of more experiments than previous missions.
- **Technological Innovation**: Demonstrated the practicality of electric vehicles in the harsh lunar environment.
- **Inspiration for Future Missions**: Its success influenced the design of later lunar rovers and space exploration vehicles.

## Body
### Design and Specifications
The Lunar Roving Vehicle was a battery-powered, four-wheeled vehicle designed to operate in the Moon's low-gravity environment. It measured 3.1 meters in length, 1.14 meters in height, and had a wheelbase of 2.3 meters. The vehicle weighed 210 kilograms and could travel up to 35.9 kilometers on a single charge, powered by silver oxide batteries.

### Development and Manufacturers
The LRV was designed by Ferenc Pavlics and manufactured by Boeing and General Motors. It was developed to support the last three Apollo missions, where it played a crucial role in extending astronauts' mobility and scientific capabilities.

### Missions and Usage
The LRV was used in Apollo 15 (1971), Apollo 16 (1972), and Apollo 17 (1972). During these missions, it allowed astronauts to explore the Moon's surface more efficiently, conduct more experiments, and collect additional lunar samples.

### Legacy and Influence
The Lunar Roving Vehicle's success in the Apollo program demonstrated the importance of mobility in space exploration. It inspired the development of subsequent lunar rovers and influenced the design of vehicles for future planetary missions.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Lunar Roving Vehicle",
  "description": "A battery-powered, four-wheeled rover used on the Moon during the last three Apollo missions.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q169454",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Roving_Vehicle"
  ],
  "additionalType": "SpacecraftModel"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013