Astronauts' World On Wheels

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30769, 5 June 1965, Page 12

Astronauts ' World On Wheels

I 'T'HE details of a 1 “moon - dune I buggy”—the Molab —have been disclosed by the Boeing Company. A wooden model of the sixwheel Molab, bears a faint resemblance to the “dune buggies” used to scoot over sand dunes found along sea coasts or in desert regions. According to one observer, “It looks like a 12-hour cold capsule pulling two aspirins.” Engineers are using the lifesize model in the design of living and working quarters for the vehicle’s two-man crew. Two N.A.S.A. engineers in space suits recently went through simulated chores in the mock-up to assist Boeing engineers in verifying the cabin design. Boeing headed one of two teams conducting competitive studies, under direction of N.A.S.A.S’ Marshall space flight centre, of mobile laboratories which might be rocketed to the moon in the early 19705. The Molab could be used for a 14-day. 250-mile scouting trip on the Earth-side surface of the moon. About 10 feet high and 25 feet long, the Molab is more than twice as high and several feet longer than most luxury cars. It weighs three tons on Earth, but the moon’s lower gravity will reduce its weight to about 1000 pounds. Unique Design Ground clearance of 24 inches four times that of the family car. The unique design of the Molab will enable it to climb over sevenfeet vertical walls and cross eight-feet crevasses. A flexible metal frame joins the Molab’s four-wheeled cabin to the two-wheeled trailer section, providing exceptional mobility. The word “trailer” actually is a misnomer. The aft unit will not be tow'ed. It is independently powered and, if the front unit is coasting, it can drive the Molab by itself. Each of the vehicle’s six wheels is driven by its own electric motor powered by a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell system similar to that being designed for the Apollo spacecraft. The wheels are five feet in diameter with a springsteel carcase and stainless steei mesh for tread. The top speed would be about 10 miles an hour with a cruising speed of five miles an hour. The Molab is designed so that two men can sit side-by-side in the front end of the cabin in webbed seats suspended from the ceiling. The driver sits on the left side and operates the control

stick. A large viewing port is available for forward driving. The crew will also be able to watch selected scenery on a television screen located on the control panel. They could look out through small view, ing ports on the front and sides of the cabin. A view to the rear is provided by an aft camera which transmits images to the television screen.

The Molab is designed to be a miniature world on wheels for the astronauts. It will protect the occupants from searing heat, freezing cold, high vacuum, penetrating radiation and meteoroid bombardment, as well as providing oxygen for breathing, and carrying food and water.

During the reconnaissance mission, the moon pioneers will map the region being explored, collect geological samples and take scientific measurements.

The astronauts will be able to leave the protection of the Molab for short periods, but their stay outside would be [limited by the amount of oxy-

gen carried in their space suit back-packs-about three hour’s breathing supply. A roomy air-lock in the Molab cabin makes it possible for men in space suits to leave and enter the vehicle without loss of cabin pressure. Fuel Tanks The aft unit is designed to carry the pressure tanks containing cryogenic fuels—liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The design also provides for a drill which could be used to collect geological samples from beneath the moon's surface. The trailing section also is equipped to carry a lunar flying-vehicle. This emergency vehicle could be used to transport the twoman crew back to the landing craft in case the Molab broke down.

To reach the moon the Molab will be folded like a golf cart, cradled on the top of the landing craft and shipped to the moon aboard a Saturn V rocket. After casting off from an orbiting Apollo space-

craft, the landing crafts unmanned descent will ease the Molab down on the moon’s surface. The moon-vehicle will be put through an instrumented check-out by remote control to see if all the systems are functioning properly. Later, another Saturn V will be shot from Cape Kennedy with a three-man crew in an Apollo cabin—two of them destined to land, take over the Molab and begin their exploration.

The Molab may be controlled from the Earth and is designed to carry stereoscopic driving cameras mounted on top of the vehicle. Images of obstacles in front of the Molab will be transmitted to the Earth in approximately two seconds. The television driving system is designed so a decision to stop the Molab can be made on the Earth and executed on the moon by telemetry control 6.2 seconds after the image is picked up The driving cameras are de signed to detect obstacles ;such as big holes, at a “19i second range.”