Apollo 15 Stand-Up EVA

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission, this video pairs historical audio with a visualization of the landing site created from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data to showcase a part of the stand-up extravehicular activity (SEVA) conducted by Commander Dave Scott. This was the only Apollo mission to conduct a SEVA. It took place approximately two hours after landing on July 31, 1971. After opening the upper hatch of the lunar module, Commander Scott spoke with NASA Mission Control’s CAPCOM Joe Allen, describing what he saw on the lunar surface and taking photographs. This Stand-Up EVA would play a role in helping the crew plan their subsequent EVAs on the Moon. The Apollo 15 astronauts were able to conduct extensive geological exploration at the Hadley-Apennine landing site, which featured a wide variety of surface features. This was the first Apollo-era mission to use a lunar roving vehicle, which helped the crew travel a total distance of 17 miles and collect 170 pounds of soil and rock samples. Thanks to the data provided by LRO spacecraft, we can now piece together the stunning views Commander Scott saw of St. George crater, Hadley Delta, Hadley Rille, Pluton crater, and other features visible in the landing region.