NASA Mars Rover Concept Vehicle
The Mars rover vehicle navigator is the front half of NASA's concept manned Mars rover, a futuristic six-wheeled machine built to show what a crewed expedition across the Red Planet could look like. NASA has landed several robotic rovers on Mars without any astronauts aboard, so to inspire the next generation it created this striking concept: a vehicle that splits in two, with the front section acting as a navigator and scout and the rear serving as a mobile laboratory.
What is the NASA Mars rover concept vehicle?
Unveiled at the Kennedy Space Center, the concept is designed to effortlessly roam terrains out of this world. What is special about it is the ability to separate in the middle: the front part serves as a navigator and scout for the area, while in the rear, experiments and research can be conducted to find evidence of past life or the presence of water and oxygen. It can also bring back core samples to Earth for further study. According to NASA, the rover was built to help inspire and educate visitors as the agency develops plans for human missions to Mars.
How big and how powerful is the Mars rover concept?
The Mars rover is rather big, weighing around 6000 pounds. It looks like it came straight out of a futuristic video game and drives on enormous wheels measuring 50 inches tall, built to carry this mobile laboratory across Martian soil. The NASA Mars rover concept vehicle is powered by an electric motor and charges from solar panels feeding a 700-volt battery. As New Atlas reports, the rover could reach 60 to 70 mph but is designed to cruise at 10 to 15 mph during exploration.
Will this Mars rover actually go to Mars?
While this Mars rover will not make it to Mars itself, some of the parts and technology used in the concept are expected to feed into the final prototype. NASA is not undermining the importance of studying the Red Planet, and this concept also serves as a way to attract young people into learning more about space exploration.
Extreme exploration vehicles at TheArsenale
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