Travelling by Car

Map of the area explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts. The lunar valley that was surveyed on this trip was a part of an ancient lava flow channel know as the Hadley Rille. The traverse path shows three out-and-back paths starting and ending at the lunar module.

Apollo 15

On Apollo 15, the lunar rover helped the crew travel greater distances and to collect more samples to bring back for scientific research. The rover allowed them to explore the Hadley Rille, a long, winding lunar valley that may be an ancient lava channel. The crew drove the rover for a total distance of 27.9 kilometers (about 17.3 miles).

Total Distance covered: about 27.9 km (17.3 miles)

Maximum distance from Lunar Module: 5 km (3 miles)

Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Map of the area explored by the Apollo 16 crew. The highlands area had various mountains and lunar crater rays adorned throughout it.

Apollo 16

By Apollo 16, the astronauts were able to explore a rugged highland area and travelled a total distance of 26.7 kilometers (about 16.6 miles).

Total Distance covered: about 26.7 km (16.6 miles)

Maximum distance from Lunar Module: 4.6 km (2.9 miles)

Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Map of the area explored by the Apollo 17 crew. The area had many craters adorned across it along with a high scarp.

Apollo 17

On the final mission, Apollo 17, the crew explored mountainous terrain and flat volcanic plains representing a wide range of lunar geologic history.

The astronauts sampled dark-colored material that scientists predicted would be evidence of young volcanism, but which turned out to be older than expected. The total distance traversed on this mission was 35.7 kilometers (about 22.2 miles).

Total Distance covered: about 35.7 km (22.2 miles)

Maximum distance from Lunar Module: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)

Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University