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Mars Rover: Tumbleweed Models

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hither-and-yon dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A North Carolina State project has prototyped a wind-blown Mars exploration rover. It draws its inspiration from the lowly tumbleweed, to cover large distances with low-power requirements. For collecting atmospheric, thermal or geological samples across great distances, the 'single-wheel' tumbleweed has some advantages over the usual four-wheeling approach to tough terrain."

3 of 92 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I don't know... by moncyb · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't really like the idea of any sort of "seed" probing like that. For one, it seems like an invasion of sorts.

    Well, if the Martians were really afraid of an Earthling invasion, they'd already have sent their nukes over here, now wouldn't they. ;-)

    Two, its a recipe for spreading bacteria all over the planet ... how can we tell if these bacteria or whatever are originally from Mars or from Earth?

    You call it contamination. I call it terraforming. ;-)

  2. Re:How do they steer? by malia8888 · · Score: 5, Funny
    I don't know how they steer; however, from years of living on the plains of Oklahoma observing hundreds of tumbleweeds I know where the Mars rover will end up....

    stuck in a barbed wire fence;)

    --
    Harpo Tunnel Syndrome--my wrist feels funny.
  3. Is it me? by mikeophile · · Score: 5, Funny
    Or does it look like the guy in front on the main article picture is copping a serious feel from the hottie next to him with his right hand?

    She doesn't seem to mind.

    NASA girls rock.