Lunar Rover Manual: 1971-1972 (Apollo 15-17; LRV1-3 & 1G Trainer)

This book on the history, development, and deployment of the Lunar Rover is one of the best I've ever seen. The level of detail presented is stunning. If you are a fan of the Apollo Program, I strongly recommend this book to you. You will not be disappointed.

I thought I had every book on the Lunar rover and there wasn't much more I needed to know. I was wrong. What a great book with fantastic photos and diagrams. The book covers the early Molab concepts, the three final competitors and the assembly and operation of the rovers on the Moon. There were several photos of the rover on the Moon that I had never viewed before. This is a must have for anyone interested in project Apollo!

I am an actual designer of the LRV. This is one of the best cheap books about the actual history, and the design features of the Lunar Rovers. Much better synopsis than some other publications. Quite good personal snippet commentaries, from the program managers, and a few of the actual designers. Does have reference to NASA historical documents, for follow-up purposes, but NASA sites have dozens of more detailed technical screeds.

I was a little disappointed by the Haynes manual for the Space Shuttle, so this volume on the Lunar Roving Vehicle is a real treat for me. Jokey format aside, this book is a fascinating technical history of this unique vehicle that's surprisingly readable and superbly illustrated. Starting with a brief history of the concept of the lunar rover and the LRV design competition, the book delves deep into the numerous technical issues that had to be overcome in the 17 months from contract award to delivery. Each of the eight major systems (mobility, electrical, navigation, etc.) is described in detail and accompanied by numerous photographs and original technical diagrams. The final part describes the actual operation of the LRV on the Moon, and how the astronauts troubleshot problems. It's not a terribly long book, but seemingly no stone seems to have been left unturned. I learned, for example, how the astronauts figured out how to put on their seatbelts without being able to see their laps, how the low-gain antenna could be removed from the rover in case it broke down and the astronauts couldn't communicate with mission control, and how a simple harmonic gear reduced the 4-6,000 rpm created by the electric motors to something more usable by the wheels. No doubt this is a technical work, but the writing style is fairly easygoing, the occasional aside being used to describe some of the more obscure concepts in layman's terms. I also appreciate that the final chapter is written largely from the perspective of the astronauts who actually drove the rover. My only real complaint is the lack of an index, an irritating omission for such a detailed work. If you liked David Woods' previous book "How Apollo Flew to the Moon" you'll probably enjoy this one too.

The data and diagrams and photos are wonderful. The book is not well bound and even though I opened it carefully, sectioning front and back gently there is already a separation within a week. I expect loose pages as we read and enjoy the content. I know it is a paperback but it should still stay intact when carefully used by an adult.

As a spaceflight historian I was most impressed with The LRV Manual. I've not found as inclusive a book regarding background on the designs and various considered philosophies for a lunar transport. Virtually everything I have in files has been included and put in a very enjoyable, concise but layman oriented manner. You'd not be taking a gamble on this American Manned Spaceflight volume.

Bought this last month as a 'Happy Birthday to myself gift' purchase which was also influenced by the Apollo 11 landing 50th anniversary being this month. True, Apollo 11 didn't have a rover, but, hey, I wanted the book! Am reading through it slowly (because my health is a mess) in bits and sections, and am finding it consistently well done. Am enjoying the drawings and photographs and historical anecdotes. It is within reason to say that I am learning something new on every page; and when it comes to the vehicle's technical details, learning something in most every paragraph.

This is perfect if you want to get a basic sense of what it takes to build a rover and put it on the moon. It also arrived within a couple days of ordering!!!