Modular Equipment Transporter

Alan Shepard stands next to the Modular Equipment Transporter.

The Modular Equipment Transporter (MET) was a two-wheeled, hand-pulled vehicle that was used as an equipment hauling device on traverses across the lunar surface. Designed after Apollo 12 astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean had difficulties lugging their equipment significant distances to and from their Lunar Module, the MET primarily functioned as a portable workbench with a place for hand tools and their carrier, cameras, spare camera magazines, rock sample bags, environmental sample containers, and the portable magnetometer with its sensor and tripod.[1] It was carried on Apollo 14 and planned to be used on Apollo 15, but was used only on Apollo 14, since Apollo 15's mission was changed to be the first to employ the motorized Lunar Roving Vehicle, which transported both astronauts and equipment.

Astronauts nicknamed the MET "the rickshaw". It was pulled using a pulling bar in the front. The majority of the payload of the MET consisted of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP).[2] The performance of the MET was described as "adequate".[3] In fact, astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell were disappointed by the MET's performance. During one of the traverses they had to carry the MET together because it was too difficult to pull the MET through the rough lunar terrain.

Design criteria

Data from Operator's Manual By General Electric[4]

Dimensional limits

  • Max. Net Weight (Empty): 30 Earth lbs
  • Max. Payload Capability: 340 Earth lbs
  • Workable height: 30 in
  • Stowage Envelope: 28" x 36" x 8"

Operation specifications

  • Nominal Pulling Speed: 4-7 mph
  • Nominal Draw Bar Pull: 3-5 mph
  • Design Traverse 20,000 ft
  • Capable of Traversing: up to 4" Diameter Rocks
  • Tire Temperatures:
    • -60 °F on deployment
    • 0 °F to 200 °F when parked
    • 70 °F average when rolling
  • Tire Pressure: 1.5 psia

Items stowed on MET

Data from Operator's Manual by General Electric[5]

Stowed Item #Items StowedQuantityLunar Module Stowage/Code
1Camera/Power Pack (16 mm)1 (on tool carrier)Ascent: A4
2Magazine (16 mm)3 (1 in camera)Ascent: A4
3Camera (70 mm Hasselblad)1Ascent: F2B
4Magazine (70 mm)3 (1 in camera)Ascent: F2B
5Handle (70 mm)1Ascent: F2B
6Trigger (70 mm)1Ascent: F2B
7RCU/70 mm Bracket1Ascent: F9A
8Camera Assembly1Descent: M1R
9Magazine Assembly2 (1 in camera)Descent: M1F
10Magazine Assembly Cover1Descent: M1F
11RCU/LGEC Bracket1Descent
12Camera (Close-up/stereo)1Descent:M1N
13Weigh Bags4Descent: M1P
14Trenching Tool1Descent: M1W
15Special Environment Sample Container2Descent: M1P
16Portable Magnetometer: *Tripod & Sensor*Cable Reel*Electronics Package1Descent: Adjacent Sequence Bay
17ALHTC1Descent: ALSEP
18Camera Staff1Descent: ALSEP
19Hammer1Descent: M1K
20Scoop1Descent: M1M
21Lens/Brush1Descent: ALSEP
22Tongs1Descent: M1H
23Extension Handle5Descent: M1G
24Core Tubes2Descent: 1 in SRC
2535 Bag Dispenser1Descent: M1T
26Penetrometer1Descent: ALSEP
27Gnomon1Descent: M1A
27AColor Chart & Traverse Map1 EADescent: ALSEP
Line drawing of the Modular Equipment Transporter.

References

  1. ↑ MODULAR EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTER OPERATOR'S FAMILIARIZATION MANUAL (PDF). Houston, Texas: GENERAL ELECTRIC. April 27, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Shepard, Alan; Armstrong, Deke Slayton with Jay Barbree ; introduction by Neil (2011). Moon shot : the inside story of America's Apollo moon landings (Revised ed.). Open Road. ISBN 978-1-4532-5826-2.
  3. ↑ Lunar surface experiments, Houston, Texas: NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, April 1971, archived from the original on 2011-10-24
  4. ↑ MODULAR EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTER OPERATOR'S FAMILIARIZATION MANUAL (PDF). Houston, Texas: GENERAL ELECTRIC. April 27, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  5. ↑ MODULAR EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTER OPERATOR'S FAMILIARIZATION MANUAL (PDF). Houston, Texas: GENERAL ELECTRIC. April 27, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
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