a (LSSM)_v_bw_o_n (MSFC-69-RDO-1630B)

"American manned lunar rover. Study 1968. The Bendix Local Science Survey Module was a forerunner of the Lunar Rover. The LSSM was a small size vehicle used to support a local manned survey. It was proposed for delivery with an LM Shelter.
AKA: Local Scientific Survey Module.
Status: Study 1968.
Payload: 320 kg (700 lb).
Gross mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb).

The typical, one-man configuration weighed on the order of 450 kg, was battery powered and had a total range capability of 200 km per mission. The crew sat in an open cockpit.

As envisioned in 1968, the single-person battery-powered go-cart would have four individually driven wheels, and be capable of a 14-day mission after 90 days of storage on the surface of the moon (it was expected to be delivered by an unmanned cargo carrier before the manned mission arrived). It had a nominal operating speed of 8 km/hour, an individual sortie duration of three to six hours, an 8 km radius of operation, with a total range of 25 km per sortie or 200 km per mission. The 900 kg operational mass consisted of 450 kg for the basic vehicle, 320 kg of cargo, and 130 kg for one astronaut and his space suit. Bendix built a prototype, but the far lighter and somewhat less capable two-crew Lunar Rover was developed instead.

Crew Size: 1.
Crew: 130 kg (280 lb)."

All above per the comprehensive Astronautix website, at:

www.astronautix.com/l/lssm.html

Additionally:

www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/auction-classic/auction-clas...

Specifically:

i2.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016...

i2.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016...
Credit: CURBSIDE CLASSIC website

Photo, with associated MSFC description, at:

mix.msfc.nasa.gov/abstracts.php?p=3217

Specifically:

mix.msfc.nasa.gov/images/HIGH/0401762.jpg
Credit: MSFC MiX website

And, referred to as the generic "Mobility Test Article":

images.nasa.gov/details-0401757

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401762
Credit: Internet Archive website

While I understand the cushioning & shock absorption intent of the unique wheel design, what’s up with the smooth treadless contact surface? If you hit a patch of black ice on those, like, say when tooling around Shackleton Crater...you’re toast.

Note also the modified lunar module, with what appears to be the LSSM cradle/housing fixture...at the level of the ascent stage. And check out the snout-like appearance of front of the ascent stage. Doesn’t it look like it should house a chute/slide? Hmm...possibly a method of egress that NASA didn’t want any of us to know about? Actually makes the rope idea look pretty good.

...upon further research - not even for this - it's a LM shelter...I should've known. AND, check this out:

Flickr: Explore!
Credit: AstroCryptoTriviology website - ALWAYS a wonderful resource!

Last, but NOT least, another small win for preserving the memory of the myriad artists & illustrators that brought to life what was envisioned/planned! This is one of many wonderful works by Mr. Renato Moncini!

Also seen here:

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401762
Credit: Internet Archive website

Other outstanding presentations by Mr. Moncini, obviously in a series he created for Bendix:

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401764

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401765

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401766

archive.org/details/MSFC-0401767
Credit: Internet Archive website

Finally, I'm going to start including this link with every posting, regardless of what it is, as sort of a public awesomeness announcement.
Your life will not be complete until you watch this - in its entirety.
As you're repeatedly picking your jaw up off the floor, remember that this was July 16, 1969. NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY NINE:

vimeo.com/channels/39850/4366695
Credit: Mark Gray/Spacecraft Films/Vimeo

Taken on: December 20, 2018

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