NASA's new lunar vehicles

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA has released some preliminary designs for it's new generation lunar rovers to return to the moon in 2019.

Take a look - someone should set up a business where you can rent these things as hire cars:rofl:

Here are the designs so far:

(This one levels the ground for the moonbase to be built on)

The wheels can swivel in any direction, like shopping trolley wheels.


These are NASA's new lunar base modules:

 

[wehaveaproblem]

They're quite funky actually, remind me of old Lego models! nice pics.

Those base modules look a bit precarious though, can see them falling into a hole on the moon. Also, in the 3rd pic, is that the max ground clearance? if so, with such a long wheel base, do you think that's enough? or are they only intended for fairly smooth surface areas.

 

[Dickie]

Some rather interesting designs there, the question I want to know is how does one get the job of testing these things?! Looks like a riot!

 

[pete.dakota]

Those base modules look a bit precarious though, can see them falling into a hole on the moon.

I think NASA's astronauts will have the acuity NOT to drive into big holes. At least I would hope.

 

[willy88]

Looks like it would be fun to go camping in that base module...

 

[eveningsky339]

Hmmm, the base module makes me think of a stroller sitting on a hill... that starts rolling down...

"Oh crap! Frank! The base!"

:mellow:

 

[Missioncmdr]

If I were an astronaut testing those, my first complaint would be, "What? No seats!?"

 

[RisingFury]

If I were an astronaut testing those, my first complaint would be, "What? No seats!?"

My first complaint would be: "What?! A gay mobile?!"
:lol::rofl:

 

[RocketMan_Len]

Rubber tires on the lunar surface...? Does not seem very bright to me...

 

[Zatnikitelman]

Don't forget the lunar rover testing vehicle for Apollos 15-17 used tires here on Earth.
Hmm, yea, not liking the new designs, too complex. How about something simple. A battery hooked up to 4 motors attached to wheels with a couple of seats and maybe a cargo area.

 

[mjessick]

> How about something simple

That's why you test.

I read or heard comment that the productivity in the cab version was very much higher than the standup. Perhaps enough to make the additional complexity worth having.

 

[Andy44]

It looks a lovely blue sky day on the Moon in those pics...

The bulldozer attachment is interesting. I read somewhere that they were looking into paving the surface of the moon by fusing the regolith with a big microwave cooker that you would drive over the leveled area like the scanner in a Xerox machine. Paved surfaces would cut down on the dust and make life easier on both hardware and lungs.

 

[tblaxland]

I read or heard comment that the productivity in the cab version was very much higher than the standup. Perhaps enough to make the additional complexity worth having.

Yeah, much easier to work in shirt sleeves.

Paved surfaces would cut down on the dust and make life easier on both hardware and lungs.

Ummm, you are going to be breathing out of tanks anyway...

As for dust from EVA suits:
1. Most EVAs would be conducted off the paved surface, since that is where all the interesting stuff is.
2. My recollection is that the suits will stay outside the cabin (unless for some maintenance?). The back of the suit attaches to the airlock and you climb into it from behind:

A bit like an Orlan:

 

[Andy44]

Ummm, you are going to be breathing out of tanks anyway...

Yeah, because I really think you will be breathing vacuum...

Unless you are using those fancy suits you be removing them in an airlock and all the dust will be floating in the air. The Apollo expeditions reported problems with breathing regolith.

Paving the surfaces around the base won't help with EVAs out in the wilderness, but it will help with local housekeeping duties, and it will make a much tidier base camp.

 

[tblaxland]

Yeah, because I really think you will be breathing vacuum...

Sorry, no offence intended. I figured you were thinking of dust from EVAs but I couldn't resist the jibe. :sorry:

 

[Andy44]

Well, you never know. Maybe some people think breathing vacuum would be cool.

 

[Kaito]

That new moon rover is so compact. I could fit that in my suitcase and haul it off to anywhere want with minimal energy. >.<

How the HELL are they going to get that thing in orbit, much less on the moon

 

[tblaxland]

Related news:

Goodyear and NASA Successfully Recreate Original Moon Tire
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and NASA have taken one small step backward to make one giant leap forward and help prepare for future missions to the Moon and to Mars.
http://www.moontoday.net/news/viewpr.rss.html?pid=27085

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

These are just some preliminary studies conducted by NASA in the early 90's of how they could get these things onto the moon. Please note that the designs have changed a lot now, and that all these are is just ideas at this point. None of this is certain. But they are just examples of the sort of thing that they are considering/thinking about.

And these are the new spacesuits:

The base would most likely be built on the Lunar North pole, where there would be constant sunlight for power generation.


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And yes, the suits will be attached to the pressurised rover, as shown here:

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[JamesG]

I see a lunar trailer park, not a permanent base...