NASA's Rover Survives Antarctica Test (New Design -- It's a Sphere!)

[On the Road]

PASADENA, Calif. - A balloon-shaped NASA (news - web sites) rover being tested for exploration of the martian polar caps and other planets has survived a 40-mile, wind-driven trek across Antarctica.

----snip

The rover, a sphere six feet in diameter, can act as a parachute during descent, an air bag upon landing, and ultimately as an unmanned exploratory vehicle.

Its rolling mode of transportation could allow the "tumbleweed" rover to cover more ground, while using fewer onboard resources than the two NASA rovers currently combing the surface of Mars. Researchers hope that would free up space for more scientific instruments.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=753&e=10&u=/ap/20040305/ap_on_sc/brf_antarctica_rover

Anyone heard of this device? I had a hard time finding info on a quick web search and a search of the NASA site. Sounds interesting.

[MrMonk]

1. "Rover" -- old concept

"Rover"

(if you get the dread-red-X, link this: www.tvacres.com/ images/ rover2.jpg)

[papau]

2. I get to be number 2 on this thread!

As I recall that job had little job security


sort of fits!

:-)