July 9, 2008: Constellation Program

You've probably heard NASA is winding down the shuttle program, and leaving it to the Russians to support the International Space Station.
You've probably also heard, their new mandate is to go back to the moon by 2020. This has been named the Constellation Program.

At the Johnson Space Center's Lunar Yard, they are already testing several equipment designs, so they must have started on the design phase, years ago.
I would guess it was back when gas was under $2 a gallon, because they planning on taking SUVs to the Moon.

If there is no gravity on the moon, how would these vehicles stay on the ground?

There is gravity on any mass, just the greater the mass, greater the gravity. right?

there is gravity on the moon - but just 1/6th of the gravity we have to deal with on earth.

Same amount of inertia though..

That first car is sooOOOooOO lame.. I don't get it.

It would be a lot more reliable and cheaper if they just rode mountain bikes.

For that last picture, in my mind's eye, I can just see the astronaut leaping up to the door....

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPUCK That first car is sooOOOooOO lame.. I don't get it.

I like the bottom ones. They look like mobile outhouses: they come to you when you gotta go.
Actually, all the designs in the world can't hide the fact that manned space exploration is just not a good idea.
The Apollo moon flights were exciting, but the current crop of magnificent Landers, Rovers, and Orbiters (at least 5 planets!!) are the way to learn about things other-worldly.

There is zero ground clearance on the second one, how can it possibly go over any sort of planet surface?

Clod it looks like there's a pivot for a hydralic lift on the second one. The Segway is an apt comparison though. All these look like a triumph of advertising over common sense.

Surely they wouldn't fill those tires with air for the final design that goes to the moon? Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

since nasa already chopped and dropped their whips, they need to add thumpin systems to go with the hydraulics. "then i let the alpine play..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by el fantastico since nasa already chopped and dropped their whips, they need to add thumpin systems to go with the hydraulics. "then i let the alpine play..."

Great. Now they're gonna start NASCAR on the moon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble There is zero ground clearance on the second one, how can it possibly go over any sort of planet surface?

Can they do it in the age of high def?

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce I would guess it was back when gas was under $2 a gallon, because they planning on taking SUVs to the Moon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craters_of_the_Moon_National_Monument

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce At the Johnson Space Center's Lunar Yard, they are already testing several equipment designs, so they must have started on the design phase, years ago.

this month to prepare for the future.



Student astronaut, distracted by text messaging,
"splashed down" into the Sea of Tranquillity.

Teams from seven NASA centers and one university coordinated their activities on the Moses Lake Sand Dunes from June 2-13 to gain hands-on experience with specific technical challenges anticipated when humans return to the moon by 2020 and begin to explore the lunar surface and set up initial outposts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce At the Johnson Space Center's Lunar Yard, they are already testing several equipment designs, so they must have started on the design phase, years ago.

this month to prepare for the future.



Student astronaut, distracted by text messaging,
"splashed down" into the Sea of Tranquillity.

Teams from seven NASA centers and one university coordinated their activities on the Moses Lake Sand Dunes from June 2-13 to gain hands-on experience with specific technical challenges anticipated when humans return to the moon by 2020 and begin to explore the lunar surface and set up initial outposts.

FAIL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon Great. Now they're gonna start NASCAR on the moon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce You've probably also heard, their new mandate is to go back to the moon by 2020. This has been named the Constellation Program.