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Space Penguin Could Hop Around The Moon

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the bouncing-science dept.

notdanielp writes "A robotic Lunar Penguin explorer could be hopping around on the moon by 2009, said Raytheon on Tuesday, as it unveiled the concept lander at an aerospace conference. The unmanned lunar device, in development for two years, is 3 feet tall and weighs approximately 230 pounds. It "hops" by reigniting small propulsion engines ... President Bush last year refocused the space program on sending people to the moon, Mars and beyond. Raytheon said the Penguin could be a robotic precursor to future manned space missions and that it was being proposed to NASA."

10 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. You KNEW this was coming by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 5, Funny

    .......but does it run Linux?

    --
    I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
    1. Re:You KNEW this was coming by RobertB-DC · · Score: 4, Funny

      Finally! After all these years, and now it's here: a story for which "Yeah, but does [ridiculously incongruous device] run Linux?" is actually on-topic!

      --
      Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
  2. Great by CalcMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    A penguin with gas.

  3. Which weapon, now? by ScentCone · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA: The Lunar Penguin, originally intended to land on the south pole of the moon to search for ice, is based on tactical weapons technologies, which should make it much more affordable, Raytheon said

    Just curious what booster-powered hopping weapons system Raytheon has been working on lately, and if they have lasers strapped to their heads or what.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  4. Name for the Machine? by -Grover · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personally I like

    Lunar Terrestrial Unmanned Excursion.

    Lunar TUX :)

  5. Damn movie sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It never fails that Hollywood will always ruin good movies with really crappy sequels. I can just see it now:
    "March of the Penguins 2: Electric Boogaloo: In Space"

  6. You have to wonder... by lost+in+place · · Score: 4, Funny
    You have to wonder how many other animals they considered before deciding that a 250 lb rocket propelled vehicle was anything like a penguin. So...

    TOP 5 NAMES SUGGESTED BY RAYTHEON ENGINEERS BEFORE THEIR PR DEPT TOOK OVER:
    1. Giant Flying Cockroach
    2. Big Flying Rat, Mark I
    3. Lunar Kangaroo
    4. Rocket-propelled Barrel-o-Electronics
    5. Flatulent R2D2
  7. Scene in the Oval Office: by DarkHand · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can see how it went down:

    Scientist: "Mr. President, we have a number of new designs for our next Mars probe. Utilizing various state of the art metallurgy processes and the most advanced..."

    Bush: "Can the scientologist mumbo jumbo, Doc."

    Scientist: "::sigh:: This one looks like a penguin."

    Bush: "Ooh, a penguin? Heh heh, I like penguins. Approved!"

  8. Speaking of Linux Jokes by Ingolfke · · Score: 4, Funny

    Q: What's the difference between maggots and Linux zealots?

    A: Maggots love open sores.

    To the moderators: This post could be considered to be Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, or Offensive. Please moderate +1 Funny... understanding that we all need to laugh at ourselves and few bad puns ever once in awhile

  9. you forgot the line.. by tont0r · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bush: "Put some lasers on it and you got a deal!"

    Scientist: "::sigh::"