LUNAR VEHICLES,

The next step in lunar exploration will be the orbiting of an automated station around the moon, followed by the landing of a mobile station on the satellite. Some of the technical problems related to this station are mentioned the possibility of moving around, the efficiency of protective systems, the capability of an earth-located command post to be effective on the moon, etc. Various types of lunar vehicles, yet to be invented, are discussed. One vehicle, looking somewhat like a tank and driven by a turbogenerator fed by hydrogen under pressure, will be able to travel 24 hours at 40 km per hour without stopping. Because of the entirely different conditions prevailing on the moons surface, the moonmobile must be based on entirely different concepts thant those of earth vehicles. There are plans for a moonmobile in the shape of two parallel worm gears, presumably capable of negotiating any kind of terrain. Another vehicle would be spherical in shape, destined for the exploration of lunar craters. It would have electric motors supplied from a solar energy receiver, and hydroscopes to stabilize and orient the cabin, which would house 3-4 astronauts. Another moonmobile would walk on four articulated extensions it would have a television camera and a mechanical dust collector, all powered by solar batteries. Finally, another vehicle, the lunar buggy, would house two astronauts, one at each end of the buggy, and would have a range of 1,200 kilometers.