Polaris Builds Lunar Rover Replica To Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Apollo 11 Moon Landing

BY Michael Gauthier | Posted on 1

The United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing last weekend and Polaris marked the occasion by unveiling a replica of the famous Lunar Roving Vehicle.

Created in collaboration with the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, the replica is a pretty faithful recreation as the company worked with a NASA astronaut and members of the team that worked on the original LRV.

As part of this effort, the company used original 50 year old molds to create the fenders on the replica. The model also has been equipped with replica brakes and a four-wheel steering system just like the original.

While the company bills the model as a “near-exact” replica, it also incorporates a number of components from Polaris’ snowmobiles, motorcycles, side-by-sides and military vehicles. As you can see in the infographic, the steering rack was borrowed from the Slingshot while the lithium-ion battery pack was lifted from a GEM electric vehicle. The replica also has control arms from an ATV and lights from a motorcycle.

The company didn’t release detailed specifications, but noted the replica is “much faster than the original.” This isn’t too surprising as the LRV had four electric motors which each produced 0.25 hp (.19 kW / .25 PS). They were powered by two 36 volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide batteries.

Also Read: Toyota’s Lunar Rover Will Allow Humans To Drive On The Moon Again

The Polaris Lunar Rover Replica was shown at number of events last week, but it will make an appearance at the Huntsville Public Library on September 19th. One month later, it will lap the Talladega Speedway in what will undoubtedly be an out of this world experience.

H/T to Fox News

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