Around the Moon in 30 Days

I propose a lunar chariot to explore the moon around its equator in 30 days, one lunar day. Lunar chariot will be composed of a four-legged robot on the front and a four large wheeled carriage at the back. The astronauts will stay in a life support module that is attached on the carriage section.

Lunar chariot will be deployed to the moon in pieces by the lunar transporters and assembled there by humanoid robots. Like airdropped Willy-Jeeps that were assembled by the soldiers.  Once its functionally is confirmed, two astronauts will be send to the moon like in Apollo missions to ride the chariot bot around the moon. The chariot will travel to the west following the sun. If the chariot travels 15 km per hour on the average it would see the sun continuously. A slower average speed is enough for routes away from the equator.

The legged front section of the chariot will help to climb the craters. The carriage’s big motorized wheels will also contribute to the traction. When the terrain is flat, the legs will be folded back and the front section will also travel on wheels to increase the travel speed.

The human compartment of the chariot will provide life support for two people for at least thirty days. The chariot will stop on locations to conduct research and gather samples. Low average speed requirement will allow such stops. Following the sun will provide continuous power and negate the need for bulky backup batteries. Once the mission is complete, the astronauts will return to earth with samples like in Apollo missions and the chariot will remain on the moon to be used by the new astronauts.