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Russian Lunokhod 1 - the first vehicle on the Moon
Although SynLube™ is known for supplying various lubricants to NASA and JPL, but few are aware of the fact that the first vehicle on the Moon was eight-wheeled robot Lunokhod 1 which was part of Luna 17 mission launched November 10, 1970.
The electric propulsion motors and two-speed gearboxes as well as the power steering system used SynLube™ fluids for their operation.
The Lunokhod 1 which was designed to operate on the Lunar surface for only 90 days, was a big surprise when it stayed operational for 11 months. Russian engineers openly praised SynLube™ for a great contribution to a success of this mission.
Lunokhod 2
Similar vehicle Lunokhod 2 which was part of Luna 21 mission launched January 8, 1973 utilized SynLube™ fluids as well. It was an improved version of Lunokhod 1. It was faster and carried an additional television camera.
Both vehicles were operational until the solar batteries could no longer provide adequate power.
There were no lubrication related problems and both missions were a great success.
| 1969 | USA | NASA selects "Lunar Rover" concept for development | Saverio F. Morea |
| 1969 | USA | Boeing wins $19 million bid to build the first "Lunar Rover" | |
| 1969 | USA | First man on the Moon - Apollo XI | Neil Armstrong |
| 1969 | USA | First U.S. SynLube™ customer installs Syn! into a new 1969 model Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Naples, Florida | Harry Lynde Bradley |
| 1971 | USA | Apollo XV first use of "Lunar Rover" on Moon | David Scott James Irwin |
| 1972 | USA | Apollo XVI second "Lunar Rover" mission | John Young Charles Duke |
| 1972 | USA | Apollo XVII third and final "Lunar Rover" mission | Harrison Schmitt Eugene Cernan |
The "Lunar Rover" used SynLube™ gear lubricant with colloidal Silver in "harmonic" gear transmissions that were installed between each electric motor and the wheel. (4 were used, one for each wheel).
SynLube™ Hydraulic fluid (the same that was used in the Rolls-Royce's hydraulic suspension and brake system) was used in the Lunar Rover's "power" steering.
The SynLube™ Functional Fluids were choosen by NASA engineers because of their
capability to perform in temperature extremes
from -70°F to +525°F (-56°C to +275°C).
