The Apollo 15 manned mission was the first to carry the moon buggy on its journey to the moon. The moon buggy was designed to transport astronauts across the surface of the moon within a 10 kilometer radius of the main landing site.
The moon buggy or to use its correct name the LRV (Lunar Roving Vehicle) was a collapsible vehicle comprised of aluminium tube and wire and was assembled by the astronauts upon landing on the moon's surface. Approximately 3 metres long by 2 metres wide the lunar roving vehicle's four wheels were driven by electric motors via batteries. With a top speed of 10 miles per hour (16 kilometres per hour) the greatest distance travelled was 22 miles (35 kilometres) by the crew of Apollo 17. The lunar roving vehicle allowed the astronauts to carry themselves and their heavy equipment to various sites away from the Lunar Module. This increased their EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity) and experiments were carried out at the sites mentioned. Also carried on the lunar roving vehicle was a large dish aerial which gave them direct communications with Mission Control back on Earth.
Such was the critical fuel/weight ratio of the lunar module to return the three astronauts safely to Earth, all excess `baggage' had to be left behind. This meant leaving behind the lunar roving vehicle. To this day it still remains on the surface of the Moon.
