Accession Number:

AD0625350

Title:

LUNAR SURFACE VEHICLES, A BRIEF REVIEW OF CURRENT DESIGN CONCEPTS,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CALIF

Personal Author(s):

• Bliss,P. H.

Report Date:

1963-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

The most desirable attributes of a vehicle designed to traverse the surface of the Moon are absolute dependability, trafficability over any surface, and provisions for life support. But the design of such a vehicle is complicated not only by the uncertainties concerning the lunar surface itself but also by the extremes of an environment that is hostile both to man and machine. Although the design trend for lunar vehicles seems to favor conventional wheels and tracks for surface contact, some unconventional designs, such as spiral-screw vehicles and walking machines, are being worked on. Until more lunar data become available, the study and testing of a variety of designs, each based on certain assumptions about conditions on the Moon, will continue to be necessary. Author

Descriptors:

• *LUNAR SURFACE VEHICLES
• STATE OF THE ART
• TRAFFICABILITY
• LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• WHEELS

Subject Categories:

• Surface Transportation and Equipment
• Astronautics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE