Happy First Wheels Day!

Today is First Wheels on the Moon Day, which this year marks the 150th anniversary of the first Moon “Buggy” being driven on the surface of the Moon by NASA Astronauts from the United States David Scott and James Irwin.  The Apollo 15 astronauts were the first to travel the farthest from their Lunar Lander and deposited various experiment equipment along their route. This took place from July 31 through August 2, 1971, at the Hadley Rille located near Mons Hadley in the northern area of the Apennine Mountains (Montes Apenninus).  The Lander’s base and the original rover (in the same state and location left behind 150 years ago) and its surroundings, part of a UNESCO Lunar Heritage Site can be visited at coordinates: 26.1322°N 3.6339°E.  Reservations are required, the visitor center is located to the east on a bluff overlooking the site.  Since no one is allowed to set foot on the regolith surrounding the monument, there are glass bottom gondolas suspended by cables for the visitors to examine the site close-up. If you can afford it, Blasthopper (at East Harbor, Northeast Dock 3) provides the fastest transport there and back.

That first Lunar Roving Vehicle was transported within the Apollo 15 Lander, folded into a space 1.5 m by 0.5 m (5 feet by 20 inches). When it was unloaded, it weighed 209 kg (460 lb.) and its weight carrying two astronauts and their equipment, 700 kg (1500 lb.). Each wheel was independently driven by a ¼ horsepower (200 W) electric motor. It could be driven by either astronaut at speeds up to 10 to 12 km/h (6 to 8 mph).  The Apollo 15 rover bore a plaque, reading: “Man’s First Wheels on the Moon, Delivered by Falcon, July 30, 1971”. 

To celebrate the anniversary today, Seleneca has two official planned activities:

BLOCK PARTY

There will be a block party on Asimov Ring from the convergence of Worden and Irwin Streets, then counterclockwise across 8th Street to Scott Street.  There will be music provided by local bands, and food carts from some of our favorite restaurants.  Also, a few of the great-great-grandchildren of the original Apollo 15 astronauts are expected to be in attendance. Hours 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

LUNAR ROVER RACE

The big commemorative event will be the first ever Seleneca Lunar Rover Race. The race’s 8.6 km course will include one lap around Seleneca’s outside loop road, starting beyond East Harbor going in a clockwise direction.  The event was organized by our local Jayson DeLeno, who is probably the Moon’s largest collector of vintage lunar rovers.  He houses them in the abandoned DeLeno mine, he inherited from his father, located 15 km south of Seleneca, on the road to Frigoris Spaceport.  The folks who entered the race must abide by the rule that no vehicles can be younger than 25 years old.  Tickets for the Cupola at the top of Seleneca’s Dome are sold out, proceeds will be donated to the Molten Settlement for much needed infrastructure upgrades.  The race will also be broadcast on the municipal public access channel and will be projected on the dome ceiling at Central Park and at the Block Party.  Start time: 3pm.