# @airandspacemuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DbePJcyib2g
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68693079-airandspacemuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/3b331ba553.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31T21:31:59.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Air and Space Museum (@airandspacemuseum) — https://gondola.cc/airandspacemuseum

## Caption

The day astronauts traded moon walking for moon driving.

Astronauts used the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) on the Moon for the first time as part of the Apollo 15 mission on this day in 1971. The LRV was stowed on the descent stage of the Lunar Module and deployed upon arrival at the lunar surface.

It was powered by battery and was operated with a spacecraft "stick," rather than a steering wheel, and could move forward and backwards. The Apollo 15 astronauts traveled over 25 kilometers on the lunar surface, but thanks to the LRV, they didn't have to do it on foot.

The LRV travelled at an average speed of 9.6 km/hr, reaching speeds of 12 km/hr over level lunar terrain. LRVs were also taken on the Apollo 16 and 17 missions. All LRVs were left on the Moon, but this "Qualification Test Unit," which is in our collection and is on display in "Destination Moon," is a very close replica of the units that flew. #AirSpacePhoto

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,086
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 9

## Tags

airspacephoto

---
Copyright (c) Gondola