NASA's Polar Robotic Ranger Passes Test In One of Earth's Harshest Places

Zothecula writes "NASA scientists have unleashed a new robot on the arctic terrain of Greenland to demonstrate that its ability to operate with complete autonomy in one of Earth's harshest environments. Named GROVER, which stands for both Greenland Rover and Goddard Remotely Operated Vehicle for Exploration and Research, the polar robotic ranger carries ground-penetrating radar for analysis of snow and ice, and an autonomous system that is operated over an Iridium satellite connection. All of that is placed between two solar panels and two snowmobile tracks."

Comments

So, which is it?

[msauve]

"an autonomous system that is operated over an Iridium satellite connection."

Is it autonomous, or is it remotely operated?

Harsh for humans

[Hentes]

Greenland is only harsh for humans. Curiously, it's easier to build a rover for a Martian or an arctic weather than to build one that can withstand rain, mud, vegetation etc.

Re:Harsh for humans

[ldobehardcore]

Titan's not a planet, but it's fairly nearby (ie within the solar system), and has rain and mud. As long as you count liquid methane and ethane falling from the sky as rain, and tholin tar as mud.