Moon buggy to debut in inaugural parade

[Boris_Badenov]

<p><font size="2"><font size="2">Moon buggy to debut in inaugural parade</font></font></p><p><font size="2">Lunar rover is NASA's leading prototype for future moon mission</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2"><font size="1">WASHINGTON</font> - Before it gets to space, a moon buggy will make history by being the first to boogie along an inaugural parade.</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2">NASA will participate in President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade with the crew of the latest shuttle mission and a small pressurized rover that is the current design for a mission to the moon in about 12 years. It will be driven by astronaut Michael Gernhardt.</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2">While NASA has been part of past inaugural parades, it has never used a lunar rover as its representative before, agency spokesman David Mould said Thursday.</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2">NASA hasn't chosen a final rover design yet, but the one in the parade is the leading prototype at the moment, succeeding wildly on a three-day desert trek in Arizona in October. It is different from the Apollo era open top rovers. It is sealed like a car, allowing two astronauts to sit in it without wearing bulky spacesuits.</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2">The 12-wheeled vehicle, which tops out around 6 mph, will then go on display for Washington media the next day, spokeswoman Ashley Edwards said.</font></p><p class="textBodyBlack"><font size="2">Also marching in the parade will be the crew of Endeavour: Chris Ferguson, Eric Boe, Donald Petit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Greg Chamitoff.</font></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[brandbll]

That thing is huge! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="3">You wanna talk some jive? I'll talk some jive. I'll talk some jive like you've never heard!</font></p> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

<p><font size="2">The article says it only carries two, but it does look pretty big.</font></p><p><a id="linkImgRelatedPhotos"></a></p><p><a id="linkImgRelatedPhotos"><img style="width:398px;height:249px" src="http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/090108-space-rover-hmed-4p.hmedium.jpg" border="0" alt="Image: Lunar rover prototype" title="Image: Lunar rover prototype" width="400" height="223" /></a></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[tanstaafl76]

<p>Well at least it will have gotten used for something if they cancel Constellation.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Mee_n_Mac]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The article says it only carries two, but it does look pretty big. <br />Posted by <strong>boris1961</strong></DIV><br /><br />And they call it the small pressurized rover ....&nbsp; Actually of the two* featured at the following NASA website, the one you've posted seems the larger.&nbsp; There's also a .PDF file at the website containing some details on the new rover.</p><p>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/desert_RATS.html</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>*EDIT : I take that back, it's the same SPR, just viewed from the side w/o the airlock making it seem longer.&nbsp; I like the suit entry /&nbsp;storage concept as shown in the .PDF file.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-----------------------------------------------------</p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,</font></p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, <strong>STOP</strong> !</font></p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/2/541be2d8-8b39-4677-829d-9cf1f1c8e6f1.large.jpg" alt="" /><br />&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Converging evolution ??</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Converging evolution ??&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Posted by vogon13</DIV></p><p>I was just going to ask if they were going to name it the "Chariot." </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[jim48]

<strong><font size="2">I think these two should be in the parade as well... in black-and-white, of course. I understand she's on the short list to head NASA.<br /><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/4/a867b1d6-eb60-405e-a404-d053b8293d50.Medium.jpg" alt="" /><br /></font></strong> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>