Robots that moonwalk

Jason Merrell, Albuquerque, New Mexico — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:26:23 GMT

Excellent.

Nearly 40 years ago, we had men walking on the moon.

Now we're sending robots. That's progress!

Well done, NASA. Thanks for turning the Saturn V into a lawn ornament.

Robots that moonwalk

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:57:42 GMT

Wow! Now THAT’S a ROVER! Talk about a giant leap forward. Comparisons to the Mars rovers sort of equals the 747/Wright Flyer analogies, doesn’t it? It also reminds me of a six-legged Swedish logging vehicle that walks across bogs to cut down trees:

http://garfieldridge.typepad.com/
photos/uncategorized/6x6_02.jpg

On earth, such a vehicle still seems a bit cumbersome but on the moon one can assume the lower gravity would make it agile and fast. The multi-functions sounds like a lot of solid planning, too.

I didn't catch how it is to be powered for a ten-year mission but I'd assume it is something that is refueled, as it is not meant for completely independent operations. I personally don't mind nuclear powered missions like this but usually they stay away from that if they don't have to.

Perhaps instead of extensive PV panels a more compact “parabolic” solar collector could be used for autonomous missions. I have to wonder if dust would affect a parabolic collector as much as PV panels since it is dealing more with heat than with light.

Robots that moonwalk

Alan Boyle — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:22:55 GMT

NASA Watch's Keith Cowing (http://www.nasawatch.com) is linking to a way cool blog that chronicles this year's desert tests. You have *got* to see these pictures!

http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/desert06.htm

Robots that moonwalk

Ramon Garcia, Pasco, WA — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:43:58 GMT

Well, even if the first moon landing was faked, these robots would not need oxygen, water, etc to operate, just a solar array to repower batteries.

Robots that moonwalk

Wade Whitlock, Aberdeen, MD — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 19:53:23 GMT

Unfortunately, the author's name escapes me, but read "With Folded Hands" if you can get it.

Why just send the super rover? Hands + Brains = adaptability. The problem with machines is that they can only do what they are built to do.

A problem with photo-voltaic panels is that they need cleaning in the presence of dust. No dust devils on the moon (I think!). A parabolic collector driving a sterling engine driving a generator with a SNAP back-up for shadows would be a good thing if it doesn't play hob with the center of gravity. The reflectivity would no doubt degrade as dust accumulated. A way to induce a reversed charge periodically to repel the dust...?

Grappeling hooks for an umpteen billion dollar probe? I somehow doubt it.

Robots that moonwalk

Frank Glover Rochester, NY — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 23:52:47 GMT

Not continuing human Lunar exploration wasn't NASA's decision. It can only do what Congress will approve and fund, just like any other government agency.

But we'll be back...

(Though the current archetecture really is not the best, most sustainable way to do it.)

Robots that moonwalk

Kurt J. Kolanko — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 05:14:19 GMT

This is what I have been talking about for more than 20 years. A combination of robotic and human presence on the Moon will help us to create the first colony off this planet. In addition, it will help us to learn exactly what we need to survive in a variety of environments. Get this stuff ready so I can retire to the Moon, in about 30 years. Mars next!

Robots that moonwalk

Chris Eldridge — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:44:49 GMT

Frank, Congressional Subcommittees are also very much to blame for NASA’s apparent ineptitude. They cut, cancel, scale-back, and force a redesign of virtually everything NASA proposes. All of which makes me wonder if a set annual budget that NASA decides how to spend might not be a whole lot better. The Shuttle-derived heavy lift rocket comes most to mind as a critical/cost effective project that was axed by a subcommittee.

Alan, That was a heck of a payload on Athletes back! The other human-like robot seemed a bit too corny at first until I realized it probably would be IDEAL for helping out with construction and manual chores! Could they not give it a superhero-like head though?

Robots that moonwalk

Fernando Becerril — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:01:50 GMT

In regards of NASA'S ongoing problems with fuel tanks, I suggested long ago after watching the successful flawless launches of Russian rockets to change the shuttles engines to burn kerosene or to buy Russian engines to install on the shuttle.
Is that too difficult to implement?
I don't think so.