New Lunar Rover Could Build Roads On the Moon
If you've been wondering what your tax dollars are being spent on over at NASA just take a quick look at this video. The new lunar rover, dubbed Chariot because astronauts ride it while standing on the back, is getting put through its paces at the Lunar Yard at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The six-wheeled Chariot tops out at 20-miles-per-hour and can accept a range of interchangeable attachments, including plows and drills. Scientists have so far been happy with the results, and say it has had no problem handling the moon-like loose surface at the Lunar Yard, which is a good thing since the Chariot is designed to one day build roads or drill for minerals on moon's surface.
Even though the first build has exceeded the engineers expectations, it will undergo further improvements, including wheels that can move up or down independently of one another for greater agility and a smoother ride.
From Engadget and New Scientist
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dennis C. in Va. Beach @ Mar 27th 2008 7:45PM
I think this is what the producers of the televison show "Lost In Space" called the land roving vehicle used by the Robinson family. Did NASA do name this as a tribute or spoof?
Cliff Burris @ Mar 27th 2008 11:19PM
Some people in my neighborhood who drive on roads with potholes might complain about money being spent on roads being built on the moon. But I will remind them that the roads will cost next to nothing since there will be no need to provide drainage ditches along side the roads -- nor will they need to build culverts or bridges.
A @ Mar 28th 2008 4:04AM
actually, it's probably called 'chariot' because the operator/driver has to stand up in it like a....well, chariot. But I remember the LIS vehicle....of course, if the launch-vehicle is called 'jupiter 2', maybe there is something to it..
Bill Haskell @ Apr 16th 2008 2:19PM
We have already ruined this planet why do we need to build roads and ruin other planets? I know that we need to use the moon as a lauching pad to other planets but lets keep it as pristine as possible.