During Apollo 17, astronaut Eugene Cernan broke the lunar rover's fender, causing a dust storm that threatened the mission. NASA engineers had to improvise a fix with limited resources.
Lunar rover fender damaged
During the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, astronaut Eugene Cernan accidentally broke the lunar rover's fender with his hammer, as recounted by the National Air and Space Museum. This incident threatened the continuation of the lunar exploration. Faced with the danger, NASA engineers had to find a solution using the available resources on board.Fender detachment during moonwalk
As the first moonwalk approaches its end, Cernan hits the right rear fender of the rover with the hammer tucked into his suit. The part detaches and falls to the lunar surface, leaving one wheel without protection. An accident that might seem insignificant, but which quickly complicates the mission's continuation.Dust cloud created by the wheel
As soon as the vehicle moves, the wheel throws a true dust cloud, nicknamed "rooster's tail." This dust settles on the suits and instruments, with potentially serious consequences. It absorbs heat from the Sun easily and risks causing equipment overheating. Its particles, extremely fine and charged with static electricity, also adhere to almost all surfaces.Attempt to fix the fender fails
Cernan first tries to reattach the extension with gray adhesive tape, the famous "duct tape." But the dust prevents the adhesive from holding, and the part detaches again when rolling. Time is pressing, as the gray powder is invading.
