The Lunar Rover, or Lunar Roving
Vehicle, was a wire-wheeled, battery-powered vehicle used by the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 astronauts
to explore the Moon's surface at greater distances than previously possible from the landing sites (see Apollo program). Built by the Boeing Company, the 310-cm-long (122-in), 114-cm-
high (45-in), 218-kg (480-lb)
vehicle was stored folded in the Lunar Module's descent stage. Capable of supporting twice its own weight, the Lunar Rover could move at a speed of 13 km/hr (8 mph), ascend slopes of up to 20¡, and pass over 0.3-m-high (1 ft) obstacles and 0.6-m (2-ft) crevices.