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For an optimum design, the weight, energy consumption, and operational flexibility of the traction drive system for a lunar roving vehicle must be considered along with the power supply, motor, and power train. Other problems considered in this paper include: environment and motor dissipation; motor type (a-c or d-c) and commutation if d-c; motor controller (switching of large currents); delivery of torque at varying speeds; the power train; use of regenerative braking and conservation of energy; and power supply voltage variation. These problems are studied in the light of certain general system specifications, which fall into weight, performance, and environment categories. Tradeoff studies are considered for purposes of optimization in each of these areas. Special consideration is given to the controller and system design as it pertains to regenerative braking and the conservation of energy.