Lunar Roving

The lunar rover was engineered with a lightweight aluminum frame and foldable chassis for compact stowage in the Lunar Module, featuring independent electric wheel motors powered by non-rechargeable silver-zinc batteries to drive all four wire-mesh tires designed to grip loose regolith.

Steering was achieved through front and rear actuators for tight turns on the Moon’s low-gravity surface, while the suspension used torsion bars for shock absorption over uneven terrain.

Its control system included a T-shaped joystick for throttle and steering, simplified for use in bulky space suits, and avionics were ruggedized to handle vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperature swings, with antennas for line-of-sight communication relaying video and telemetry back to Earth.