Astronauts ride in style in new moon truck

Driving like a moon crab
NASA's new moon rover consists of two separate parts: the RV-like pressurized cabin and the 12-wheeled Chariot base that can be driven independently by a spacesuit-clad astronaut while perched atop a rotating control turret.

"One of the surprises was how much better the Small Pressurized Rover was than the unpressurized rover," said Craig, adding that the teams found driving from the unpressurized turret tough going. "When you're in a suit for eight hours and being bounced around, it really beat them up. At the end of the day, they were really fatigued."

But even after 10 hours of driving from inside the pressurized version, the test crews were still primed for more mock moon roving action, he added.

NASA's Chariot moon truck chassis consists of six bug-like legs, each of which tipped with two wheels. The 2,204-pound (1,000-kg) vehicle is about 15 feet (4.5 meters) long capable of hauling twice its weight in cargo and driving up to 6 mph (10 kph) on rough terrain. Each of the wheel talks can pivot 360 degrees and be lifted up to clear rocks or other obstacles, giving the Chariot the ability to mimic a crab's flexible mobility, Craig said.

The pressurized cabin adds an extra 4,409 pounds (2,000 kg) of weight to the rover, but comes with extra amenities like living quarters, cabinets for provisions and tools, and a shielded section for shelter against radiation events.

"They provide a safe haven for astronauts on the lunar surface in case there's a solar flare," Craig said. "In Apollo, they didn't have that safe haven, and they'd have to go back to the lander."

In addition to the step-in spacesuits, the rovers have a large side hatch designed to attach directly to a moon base entrance.

"These are still concepts, "Craig said, adding that new modifications will likely follow the Black Point tests. "It's been a really good test out there. We're learning a lot."

NASA spent about $38 million to develop its Apollo lunar rovers in the 1960s and 1970s, according to agency records. But the final cost for the new moon buggies remain to be seen.

"The line is 'more than a Ferrari,'" said Craig, adding that the current concept is a mix-match of parts and improvements, must still be refined into a final design. "It's kind of hard to put a number on it."

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