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Old 12-06-2005, 12:57 AM   #15
spacebatman
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spacebatman
 
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Italy
Posts: 62
5 yr Member
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by JohnM

"...next generation of lunar rovers will be built by Mattel..."
Why not?

A "1st generation" moonrover (travels and 3D images only) may be VERY SIMPLE and made with:

- movable 3D camera with 8 Mpixels' "eyes"
- litium batteries
- solar panels
- four/six metallic wheels
- four/six stepper motors
- little parabolic antenna
- digital radio TX/RX
- control computer
- gyroscopic system (for Segway version)

all running controls and image memory may be on earth and don't need to be on the rover, so, its weight may be only around 200 lbs.!

of course, all rovers' parts may be "military-grade" (made for very high and low temperatures and better MTBF), but the moonrovers' unit cost may be less than $500,000 each!

the real high cost is the rocket to launch it that, to-day, starts from $15 million of a 1000 lbs. payload Pegasus to $20-30 million of 2-3 tons payload launchers

that price are TOO MUCH for me (and probably for you) but NOT for THOUSANDS little-mid companies around the world!

BIG COMPANIES SPEND MUCH MORE THAN $20 BILLION PER WEEK ONLY FOR ADVERTISING!


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