MOCAN

Mission Profile

MOCAN (Mobile Cargo Carrier or Mobile Operations Carrier and Nuclide) was a 1960s NASA concept for a tracked or wheeled robotic cargo vehicle that could be pre-positioned on the lunar surface to carry equipment, supplies, or scientific instruments between landing sites, serving as an automated logistics platform for extended Apollo and post-Apollo surface operations. The concept was studied as part of the Apollo Applications Program planning for longer-duration lunar stays requiring resupply beyond what could be carried by a single lander. Like many ambitious lunar infrastructure concepts of the era, MOCAN was never funded for development as the Apollo program was scaled back before surface logistics missions could be initiated.