Topic: Positioning of Lunar Rover prior to the ascent
Ian Limbrey Member
Posts: 130 From: England Registered: Nov 2012
posted 10-12-2016 07:00 AM
Always wondered why the Apollo lunar rovers (LRV) were always positioned to the rear of the lunar modules prior to their ascent.
Was this to achieve a better television view because of the trajectories the ascent stages would take although, this really only happened with the Challenger as we saw very little of the ascents on Apollo 15 and 16?
NukeGuy Member
Posts: 55 From: Irvine, CA USA Registered: May 2014
posted 10-12-2016 07:48 AM
The position behind the LM would have been east of the LM. This would position the sun behind the camera and provide good lighting as well as preclude damaging the camera.
Ian Limbrey Member
Posts: 130 From: England Registered: Nov 2012
posted 10-12-2016 09:37 AM
Thanks, after I posted it I suddenly realised that it must be to something to do with the sun as they always landed from east to west and hence the rear of the LEM would be facing the sun and as you stated, very good lighting for the viewing the ascent!
One Big Monkey Member
Posts: 171 From: West Yorkshire, UK Registered: Jul 2012
posted 10-12-2016 11:48 AM
As well as landing east to west, they also took off east to west, so the camera would be able to watch it disappear into the distance.