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Bell Lunar Taxi
Credit - via Jean-Christophe Carbonel

Other Designations: Manned Flying System. Class: Manned. Type: Lunar Flyer. Destination: Moon. Nation: USA. Manufacturer: Bell.

Bell Aerosystems designed a Manned Flying System for Apollo as a tool for lunar surface exploration. The Manned Flying System would be able to transport an astronaut and about 136 kg of equipment (or two astronauts) for distances up to 24 km from the original landing site.

Crew Size: 2. Payload: 136 kg (299 lb).

MFS Chronology

1965 July 21 - Apollo Manned Flying System - Program: Apollo.
Bell Aerosystems Company announced that it had received additional funds from NASA (almost a half million dollars) to continue work on another lunar vehicle, the so-called Manned Flying System. This latter craft, also primarily a tool for exploration, would be able to transport an astronaut and about 136 kg (300 lbs) of equipment (or two astronauts) for distances up to 24 km (15 mi) from the original landing site.

Bibliography:

Ertel , Ivan D; Morse , Mary Louise; et al, The Apollo Spacecraft Chronology Vol I - IV NASA SP-4009, NASA, 1966-1974. Web Address when accessed: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4009/cover.htm.
NASA Report, Apollo MFS Kinaesthetics, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650020365_1965020365.pdf.
NASA Report, Apollo MFS Cryoengine Variant, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650025306_1965025306.pdf.

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.