Liquid-Oxygen Powered Moon SUV

Photo:
Image: Stuart Fox/NASA

With the intent of starting new missions on the Moon by 2020, NASA will need an off-roader capable of handling a multitude of situations. The Chariot is one of the new prototypes for NASA's next generation lunar rover. Taking a cue from the Mars rovers, it will have six wheels, each with it's own independent steering.

The current rover, active since the 70s, like the shuttles, will be replaced with a vehicle capable of carrying out much larger missions. The new rover will move passengers and freight as well as geological samples. It will be a truly all-purpose machine. The intention is to power all of this with liquid-oxygen and -hydrogen rather than batteries.

Photo:
Image: Stuart Fox/NASA

Right now, the vehicle's color comes from anodized aluminum. Should the vehicle reach full production, the astronauts who use it will be cruising the Moon in a much more expensive thermal coating of gold. A true chariot for the men on the Moon.

Sources: 1, 2

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