According to NASA, the Lunar Roving Vehicle used during the Apollo 15 mission in July 1971 paved the way for modern lunar exploration, and today the agency is looking to new companies to develop unpressurized and pressurized rovers for upcoming Artemis crewed missions to the moon.
Evolution of the Lunar Roving Vehicle
On July 31, 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive a vehicle on the moon. According to NASA records, the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) allowed the crew to venture farther from their landing site than previous Apollo astronauts could. Command module pilot Al Worden remained in lunar orbit while Scott and Irwin explored the surface.
The engineering behind the moon buggy required overcoming strict weight and size constraints. Boeing built the foldable, aluminum vehicle to stow compactly inside the lunar module. Once deployed on the surface, it measured about 10 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 45 inches high. Powered by batteries, the vehicle could travel up to 8.6 miles per hour and carry up to 1,080 pounds of cargo—about twice its own weight—alongside two astronauts.
Did You Know? The historic moon cars deployed on Apollo 15, Apollo 16, and Apollo 17 remain on the lunar surface today, awaiting fresh batteries.
Artemis Program and Next-Generation Moon Rovers
Modern space exploration places new demands on vehicle design. NASA has stated that unpressurized rovers, as well as new pressurized vehicles, will serve as critical assets for Artemis astronauts. These advanced transports will allow crews to drive without a spacesuit on as they build a permanent moon base.
NASA is looking to new companies to build these next-generation vehicles to support extended surface operations. Unlike the three-day driving range of the Apollo 15 mission—which covered more than 17 total miles and featured trips to sites like Elbow Crater—future Artemis deployments require durable infrastructure capable of supporting long-term scientific research and habitat construction.
Mission Timeline and Historical Context
The Apollo 15 mission launched on July 26, 1971, touching down on the lunar surface four days later on July 30. Scott and Irwin executed three moonwalks in addition to their lunar rover test drive. The crew left the moon’s surface on August 2, departed lunar orbit on August 4, and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on August 7, 1971.
Pro Tip for Space History Enthusiasts
Scale models and building kits, such as the Lego Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle, offer a hands-on way to examine the complex foldable engineering and chassis layout that Boeing and NASA developed for the 1971 missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did astronauts first drive on the moon?
According to NASA, astronauts David Scott and James Irwin drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the moon for the first time on July 31, 1971, during the Apollo 15 mission.
How fast and far could the Apollo 15 lunar rover travel?
The vehicle had a top speed of 8.6 miles per hour. During the mission, the crew drove a cumulative total of more than 17 miles across the lunar surface.
What are NASA’s plans for rovers on future Artemis missions?
NASA is looking to new companies to build both unpressurized rovers and pressurized vehicles that will allow astronauts to travel without a spacesuit while constructing a permanent lunar base.
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