How long does it take to walk around the Moon?

The answer depends on many factors such as travel speed, time traveled per day and route to avoid dangerous terrain.
Twelve people set foot on the Moon during the Apollo mission from 1969-1972. Documentary footage shows that traveling – more precisely, jumping – on a planet with only one-sixth of Earth’s gravity is quite interesting.

However, research by the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) shows that humans can travel on the Moon at a faster speed than the astronauts on the Apollo. Theoretically, the time it takes to walk around the Moon is shorter than previously estimated. During the Apollo mission, astronauts “jump” on the Moon at a speed of about 2.2 km / h. According to NASA, this speed is quite slow due to the bulky astronaut suit, containing the pressure. If wearing a more comfortable outfit, the movement will be easy and maximum speed can be reached. Humans can walk on the Moon at a faster speed than astronauts during the Apollo mission. Photo: Shutterstock. Maximum walking speed on the Moon A 2014 NASA study, posted above Journal of Experimental Biology ( Journal of Experimental Biology ) tested human walking and running speeds in a simulated environment for the Moon’s gravity. According to the Live Science The team invited 8 people (including 3 astronauts) to use the treadmill on the DC-9 jet. The aircraft is piloted in a special parabolic trajectory, simulating gravity on the Moon for up to 20 seconds. Test results show that participants can walk at up to 5 km / h before running. Not only double the speed of the Apollo astronaut, the figure is almost equal to the average maximum walking speed of humans on Earth (7.2 km / h). The above speed is achieved because participants can walk while swinging their arms. This movement creates a downward force, compensating for the lack of gravity. One of the reasons astronauts on the Moon move slowly is not being able to swing their arms due to the tight suit. The footprints of astronaut Neil Armstrong on the Moon. Photo: NASA. If you apply the top speed above (5 km / h), it will take approximately 91 days to walk around the 10,921 km circumference of the Moon. Meanwhile, it takes 334 days to go continuously all the circumference of the Earth (40,075 km). Of course, that can’t happen because the Earth has an ocean. The same applies on the Moon as well. 91 days is just a number under ideal conditions. In fact, it will take longer to walk around the moon. Determine the roadmap and influencing factors Aidan Cowley, scientific advisor to the European Space Agency, says walking around the Moon is a possible task, but “too weird to be helped.” According to him, one of the biggest challenges is supplies such as water, food and oxygen. “I don’t think you would put them in your backpack because the masses are so great, even in environments with a gravity of 1/6 (compared to the Earth),” said Cowley, we need a support vehicle, also. is a shelter. “Many agencies are looking at the idea of ​​a pressurized rover, which will assist astronauts on exploration missions. They look like mobile bases, to store supplies and sleep at night, ”says Cowley. Adventurers also need suits that are optimal for mobility. Astronaut clothing is not currently designed for vigorous activity, but some agencies are developing suits that fit better, allowing wearers to freely swing their arms while walking on the Moon. Scientist, astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt was traveling on the Moon, during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Photo: NASA. The rugged terrain on the Moon makes it difficult to find the right route, especially the craters many kilometers deep. Light and temperature are also two factors to note. “At the equator (of the Moon), during the day the temperature goes up about 100 degrees Celsius. By night, it drops to -180 degrees C,” Cowley said. The lunar cycle leaves some days with very little, or no sunlight. Therefore, at least half of the journey will take place in the dark. The temperature problem can be solved with rovers and clothing, but it also alters the regolith state – the fine gray soil that covers the lunar background – affects movement speed. Solar radiation is an important issue. Unlike the Earth, the Moon does not have a magnetic field that deflects radiation. “If the Sun emits a solar flare or releases aurora material (CME), your state will be very bad if your body is affected by the Sun’s high radiation,” said Cowley. The circumference of the Moon is 10,921 km. Photo: NASA. The final element of the quest is fitness. Participants need long-term exercise in conditions of low gravity, so that the heart and muscles adapt. Even when everything is ideal, one person can only walk at full speed for 3-4 hours / day. If you maintain a speed of 5 km / h for 4 hours / day, it will take you 547 days (nearly 1.5 years) to walk around the circumference of the Moon, in the condition of the road without a crater, no Affected by changes in temperature or solar radiation. Cowley thinks humans won’t have the technology or equipment for this task, at least until the 2030s or 2040s. “No agency will support such missions. But if some crazy billionaire wants to try, they’ll shake hands, ”Cowley said. Astronaut Alan Shepard plays golf on the Moon Live broadcast from the lunar surface on February 6, 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard said the golf ball was flying kilometers away.