Apollo 15 splashdown. The Apollo 15 capsule seen moments after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on 7 August 1971. Launched on 26 July 1971, Apollo 15 carried the first Lunar Rover to the Moon. Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin made several journeys in the Rover during their 67- hour stay on the surface, exploring the Hadley Rille area of the lunar Apennine Mountains. Astronaut Alfred Worden piloted the Command and Service Module (CSM) in lunar orbit during the mission. Prior to the Space Shuttle, all US manned missions ended with a splashdown on water, whilst Soviet missions ended up on land.