1.
LV and SV astronaut has helmet put on.
0.07

2.
SV pressmen
0.08

3.
SV astronaut passes camera.
0.13

4.
GV astronaut and lunar rover.
0.20

5.
SV press
0.21

6.
SV two astronauts pass and away from camera on lunar rover.
0.34

7.
SV PAN rover past.
0.38

8.
CU simulated lunar surface TILT to rover.
0.45

9.
CU astronauts collecting rock-sample with probe.
0.50

10.
CU samples in plastic bag.
0.53

11.
GV rover and astronauts.
0.56

12.
SV astronaut adjusting aerial.
1.00

13.
GV rover away.
1.04



Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Apollo 15 moon rocket was moved successfully to its launching pad at Cape Kennedy on Tuesday, but the men who will ride it spent a frustrating day, plagued by training equipment breakdowns. After watching the rocket moving operation in the morning, astronauts David Scott, James Irwin, and Alfred Worden, trained for their lunar exploration on a special stretch of sand that resembles the moon's surface.

The primary objective of the training exercise was to try out the lunar rover vehicle, which Scott and Irwin will drive during three excursions on the moon. The rover stopped dead soon after the training began, because someone had forgotten to fit the vehicle with fresh batteries. Other problems included difficulties with the backpacks providing oxygen and cooling for the astronauts. Mission Commander Scott also had problems wit a special drill, being used to simulate the obtaining of a moon core sample.

The astronauts will undergo further training in preparation for their planned 26 July launch date.

SYNOPSIS: The Apollo Fifteen astronauts tested the new lunar rover vehicle at Cape Kennedy on Tuesday, in preparation for their 26th of July launch date.

The lunar rover, or "moon buggy", will be driven by Mission Commander David Scott and team member James Irwin on three excursions on the lunar surface, while the third member of the team, Alfred Worden circles the moon in the Command Module. Scott and Irwin hops to travel to the hills of the moon's Apennines Mountains in the lunar rover. The vehicle will be fitted with a television camera, which will beam live pictures back to the earth.

During Tuesday's training period, the astronauts had problems with some of the equipment. The backpacks providing oxygen and cooling for the astronauts were erratic and had to be changed. At one point the lunar rover stopped dead, because someone had forgotten to fit the vehicle with fresh batteries.