With the great news (Hemmings: The Lane Motor Museum and Thrustcycle team up to restore the Gyro-X) that the Alex Tremulis-designed Gyro-X is planned to be restored in time for what would have been Tremulis' 100h birthday, it's fitting to note a unique perspective the team enjoyed of the Apollo 7 launch. On the Board of Directors for the two-wheeled car company was astronaut Tom Stafford. Recognizing a great opportunity for alternative Lunar Rover designs, the team was brought in to discuss their gyro-stabilized concepts. Tremulis, gyro expert Tom Summers, and two others (yet to be identified) and their spouses all made the trip.
The GyroDynamics Lunar Rover was to be based off of their Trailmobile concept built for the US Forestry Service. The Trailmobile was uniquely suited for otherwise unaccessible paths by combining the ability to traverse a narrow road just inches wide with the ability to carry a heavy payload without tipping over. The team proposed this concept would be ideal for a Lunar Rover with the same qualities.
To save space, the "Gyronaut" Rover was going to be folded up in transport to the surface of the moon. Once the Lunar Lander's landing gear was safely planted on the moon, the crew would unfold the Rover underneath the astronaut's capsule. Once the Rover's stabilizing gyro was powered up to speed, the Rover would be unable to be tipped over and could maneuver around large boulders and obstacles in order to get to its target destination.
The full history of Tremulis' plans to get to the moon can be found HERE.
Below: Probably during the presentation to NASA, astronauts Gene Cernan (left) and Tom Stafford (right) share some humerous thoughts on the project.
The full history of Tremulis' plans to get to the moon can be found HERE.
Below: Probably during the presentation to NASA, astronauts Gene Cernan (left) and Tom Stafford (right) share some humerous thoughts on the project.
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Astronaut Gene Cernan during one of the welcoming cocktail parties for their distinguished guests.
A dream come true: Having astronaut Tom Stafford give a tour of the replica Lunar Lander to the GyroDynamics team. Throughout their stay, it's apparent the team was granted unparalleled access to areas probably never seen by the general public.
The NASA Crawler-Transporter.
The NASA Crawler-Transporter.
Apollo 7 on the launch pad.
Readying the launch pad at the base of the huge Saturn rocket.
A view not seen by many: Looking down the top of the 221 foot high rocket. The topmost part of the Saturn 1B rocket contains the command module where the astronauts reside.
With the massive rocket's support and access platform pulled back, a dizzying view down over 25 stories is seen. The platforms coincide with the various functions that are required to prepare the rocket for launch.
Tom Summers (?) with a Mercury space capsule.
October 11, 1968: The team getting shuttled out to the viewing area for the launch.
The full team from GyroDynamics picks out their spot.
Below: Liftoff!
Below: Liftoff!
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The remains of the support tower after Apollo 7 has departed.
Summers messes around with one of the area's residents.
Unfortunately, the Gyronaut Rover never got off the ground, and financing difficulties forced all the projects into never never land. Here a forelorn Chrissie Tremulis muses over what could have been: The Gyro-X car and the Trailmobile, both languishing in neglect and exposed to the elements.
The Gyro-X did make it out to the Bonneville Salt Flats, however, at least in 1/8 scale model form.
This model's whereabouts is still unknown. If you have any information, please contact us.
And pay a visit to the FaceBook page to stay up to date...
This model's whereabouts is still unknown. If you have any information, please contact us.
And pay a visit to the FaceBook page to stay up to date...
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