WATCH: Stabilised Footage of Apollo 16 Car Cruising on The Moon

On April 16, 1972, Apollo 16 launched from Kennedy Space Center, marking the 10th manned U.S. space mission and the fifth to land on the Moon.

But what made Apollo 16 truly special wasn’t just its scientific discoveries—it was the first mission to explore the Moon’s highlands.

And the astronauts didn’t just explore—they drove.

For the first time in history, humans had access to a battery-powered lunar rover, a four-wheeled, electric vehicle designed to handle the Moon’s unforgiving terrain.

Officially called the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)—but affectionately known as the “moon buggy”—this remarkable machine appeared in the final three Apollo missions (Apollo 15, 16, and 17), forever changing the way we studied the Moon.

“Electric rovers were made to operate in the near-vacuum of the lunar surface and handle the oddly shaped dust, or regolith, that coated it,” says Kyle Hill of Nerdist.

The footage of astronauts speeding across the lunar surface is nothing short of surreal—and thanks to modern technology, we can now watch it in stunning high definition.

A Joyride Unlike Any Other

The Apollo 16 crew—John Young, Charles Duke, and Ken Mattingly—spent three days on the lunar surface conducting experiments, collecting samples, and of course, test-driving the moon buggy.

The LRV, designed by Boeing and General Motors, was a game-changer.

It allowed astronauts to travel further from the Lunar Module than ever before, covering distances that would have been impossible on foot.

Top Speed: 8.7 mph (14 km/h)
Range: Up to 57 miles (92 km)
Power Source: Two 36-volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide batteries

While those specs might not sound impressive by Earth standards, on the low-gravity surface of the Moon, the experience was exhilarating.

And as the astronauts quickly found out—driving on the Moon was wild.

Wait… They Were Drifting on the Moon?

If you’ve ever seen the Apollo 16 rover in action, you might have noticed something surprising: the astronauts were sliding, skidding, and kicking up rooster tails of lunar dust.

That’s because driving on the Moon isn’t like driving on Earth.

No Air = No Resistance
With no atmosphere, there’s no air resistance to slow the vehicle down. The moment you accelerate, you keep moving unless you actively brake.
Lower Gravity = Bumpy Rides
The Moon’s gravity is only 1/6th of Earth’s, so each time the rover hit a bump, it lifted off the ground slightly before settling back down.
Dust Everywhere
Lunar dust, or regolith, is much sharper and stickier than Earth dust. It clung to everything and made traction unpredictable.

In other words, the moon buggy was practically built for drifting.

“The footage of men riding around on the Moon is simply hard to believe—it’s so surreal.” — Kyle Hill, Nerdist

But what’s even crazier? That footage is now clearer than ever before.

Bringing Apollo 16’s Footage Back to Life

For decades, the original Apollo 16 footage was shaky and grainy, limited by the camera technology of the 1970s.

But now, thanks to YouTuber britoca, we can see it in stabilized high definition.

Using a process called Deshaker v2.5 for VirtualDub 1.9.9, the Apollo Mission’s original 16mm footage has been digitally restored, removing jitter and improving clarity.

What does this mean?

We can now watch Apollo 16’s moon buggy joyride as if it were filmed yesterday.
Every bump, skid, and dust trail is visible in stunning detail.
For the first time, we can truly appreciate how insane it was to drive on the Moon.

More Than Just a Ride—A Scientific Breakthrough

While the footage is incredible, the lunar rover wasn’t just for fun. It played a crucial role in Apollo 16’s scientific discoveries.

Extended Exploration
Before the LRV, astronauts were limited to walking distances of just a few hundred meters. The rover expanded their range to several kilometers, allowing them to collect more diverse rock samples.
Geological Discoveries
Apollo 16’s mission to the lunar highlands was key to understanding the Moon’s geological history. Thanks to the rover, astronauts discovered anorthosite rocks, confirming that parts of the Moon’s crust formed from magma.
Testing Lunar Mobility
The rover provided valuable insights into how vehicles behave in low-gravity environments, paving the way for future Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance.

Could We Drive on the Moon Again?

With NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions, lunar exploration is set to make a comeback. But this time, the vehicles will be even more advanced.

NASA’s Next-Gen Lunar Rover (2025 and Beyond)

Self-Driving Capabilities
The new rovers will be semi-autonomous, meaning they can navigate the Moon on their own—perfect for robotic missions before humans arrive.
Longer Battery Life
Unlike the Apollo LRVs, which relied on non-rechargeable batteries, future rovers will likely use solar power and advanced battery technology.
Bigger and More Durable
NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a long-term lunar presence, which means the new rovers will be larger, enclosed, and built for extended missions.

So, while the Apollo 16 moon buggy was groundbreaking in its time, the next generation of lunar vehicles will push the boundaries even further.

A Ride Worth Remembering

The Apollo 16 moon buggy ride remains one of the most unforgettable moments in space exploration.

It showed us that space travel isn’t just about science—it’s about adventure.
It gave us the first-ever experience of “off-roading” in space.
And now, thanks to high-definition restoration, we can relive it like never before.

So, if you haven’t already, go watch the stabilized Apollo 16 rover footage—because even after 50 years, it’s still cooler than anything most of us will ever do.