Long manned trips on the surface of the Moon or Mars

[j05h]

<i>> This is beginning to sound like our "Lunar BobCat" discussion </i><br /><br />Yeah, and some of the "Mars 9 tons..." rover discussion. A modular, upgradable and flexible system just makes more sense, especially with the direction that tooling/automation/robotics is taking us. Humans will go into space for fun, adventure and realtime tele-operation, not for hard labor in the Ice Mines (i hope). On the subject, the ability to switch out attachments on a dozer just makes sense. Coupled with our experience of modular spacecraft and the rovers we know work, it presents an interesting design opportunity. <br /><br />Two other chassis are possible for the Big Rover frame: a 4+ leg Walker (with a wide central axle like the Wheeled one) or an ATHLETE ring that accepts a top and bottom attachment. The ring also scales down to smaller size, the Walker is the furthest from ready. A "Segway" might be possible but I think it would have severe dust issues due to it's need for fine axle control. <br /><br />This is almost like setting a standard. "This" is a planetary hatchway spec, it has this-or-that shape and these pass-throughs and can hold such-and-such mass laterally. This other spec is for an attachment storage rack. Ideally various components can be sourced from several suppliers. Pick the right chassis for each task, customize, use and return to the Rover Yard.<br /><br />The concept scales down well, too. A set of similar chassis creating 500-2000kg smaller rovers works as well. These can start as small base-preparation craft such as mini-dozer, excavation and sinter/compactor tasks. After crew arrival they are re-outfitted as ATVs, rolling toolboxes and exploration rovers. <br /><br />Example vehicle, tracked: My uncle's Takeuchi excavator masses around 8t, and would easily fit inside a 4m launch shroud. It has a bucket, but can accept several other attachments and has a little dozer blade. Quite the toy. On the other side (and this is a reason for attachments and mounting <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[thereiwas]

Unfortunately, you can't get away from the dust if the wind is blowing. Saltating dust (less than a meter off the ground) in light winds, complete orange-out in a big storm. And it is reactive dust, with peroxides mixed in. I think that would play real havoc with unprotected hydraulic pistons. Everything has to be sealed, but there is still going to be infiltration. (Ceramic-coated pistons?)<br /><br />Having a garage to park in during storms might be a really good idea.

 

[JonClarke]

Dust is a manageable problem on Earth and Mars, and the Moon too.<br /><br />Jon <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>

 

[JonClarke]

<i>You know what...if NASA was bold enough, it might be wise to land a fusion reactor and some type of lunar dust processor to extract the helium 3. And start making power.</i><br /><br />First get your working fusion reactor.... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Jon <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>

 

[willpittenger]

He might have been thinking of a lunar rover rather than a Martian lander. No wind on the Moon. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[willpittenger]

And make it light and small enough to fly. Current fusion reactors are huge. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>

 

[holmec]

Well that's where boldness comes into play. <br /><br />But you have to wonder if someone else would try to do that...say Russia?<br /><br />Just a thought. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[scottb50]

I think it would make more sense to use water to clean the docking area then filter it to remove the Martian or lunar debris. Spray it in, suck it out, treat it and dump the contaminates. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>