A Soviet remote-controlled lunar roving vehicle, the first of which, Lunokhod 1, was placed on the MOON by the unmanned probe Luna 17 on 17 November 1970. The vehicle could be steered and operated by a "driver" in the control room on EARTH. It proved to be outstandingly successful, operating during the lunar day and remaining stationary throughout the night, and continued to function for more than ten months. In that time it covered a total distance of 10.5 km, surveyed an area of some 80000 square metres, analyzed the mechanical and chemical properties of the lunar soil, and sent back a total of about 20000 photographs.
