Proto--Rover

Today before an all-hands meeting on site, the new prototype for a Moon Rover was driven around in a short demonstration. The demo occurred right in front of the building I now work in so it was easy for me to run downstairs and watch. Gotta say it was pretty neat. The rover demo they did was a short practice run since NASA is going to be represented in the Inauguration Day Parade by the rover. The rover can drive in any direction, crab, and raise up and down. The thing is part of the Constellation program and would be able to take a couple astronauts around on the moon completely independently for a couple of days. The suits on the back are entered through the back directly from the inside of the rover so you can go do science and stuff without bringing the nasty moon dust back in side. That is very important because, as they found on Apollo, the dust is very fine and sticks to everything and can wreck equipment and seals and everything.

In any case, be watching for NASA's little PR moment during the parade!