Apollo Program Soil Mechanics Experiment: Final Report

Abstract

The Apollo lunar landing missions provided the first opportunity for direct collection of data relating to the physical characteristics and mechanical behavior of the surface materials of an extraterrestrial body by other than remote means. The acquisition of such information from the first manned lunar landings was needed to aid in accomplishing the following broad objectives: 1. To provide engineering data on the interaction of man and equipment with the lunar surface, thereby aiding in the evaluation of the Apollo missions, and in the planning of future lunar surface scientific investigations and related engineering tasks supporting these activities. 2. To enhance the scientific understanding of the nature and origin of lunar surface materials, and the mechanisms and processes responsible for the present morphology and consistence of the lunar surface.