Chariot prototype planetary rover

[JonClarke]

<p>SDC had this story a few days ago which nobody seems to have picked up.&nbsp; It is about the Chariot prototype planetaary rover for crewed and robotic operation.</p><p>http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/080312-technov-nasa-chariot.html</p><p>It has lots of interesting material in it about a prototype planetary rover.&nbsp; </p><p>What is worth noting is how the lower lunar gravity allows much higher payload masses on a&nbsp;lighter chassis.</p><p>Other features of interest include the extreme manoeuverability of the chassis and the variable clearance suspension.</p><p>The concept is that this will provide the chassis for a wide range of reconfigurable vehicles.</p><p>How practical and useful do people think the crabbing ability is?</p><p>What about the wheel size.&nbsp; they seem rather small to be, given that the step climbing ability of a wheel is about a third of the diameter, i would be going for wheels at least half as big again.</p><p>Jon</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[earth_bound_misfit]

<p>The wheels look fairly narrow to me. Definately would be interesting to see how it goes in some real loose sand.</p><p>&nbsp;Love the mags though </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong>  </p> </div>

 

[centsworth_II]

What a great idea, to have a robotic rover that can also be manned.&nbsp; It could be set down on a site to be visited by a future manned mission.&nbsp; For two years, the rover could travel about and do science so the site is well understood before the manned mission gets there.&nbsp; Once there, the crew can use the rover for transportation. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The wheels look fairly narrow to me. Definately would be interesting to see how it goes in some real loose sand.&nbsp;Love the mags though <br />Posted by earth_bound_misfit</DIV></p><p>This is just a test rig, possibly using off the shelf wheels or tires (although the spiral hubs look custom built).</p><p>You probably don't need wide tires on the Moon, the regolith does not compacte easily, the LRV had quite narrow wire tires.</p><p>Jon<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>