The NASA ATHLETE is basically a "giant, six-legged robot that could pick up and move a future Moon base thousands of kilometres across the lunar surface." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.
NASA is taking development of the robots seriously, as it turns out their multiple-wheeled dexterity make them perfect for carrying mobile habitats across the rocky, uneven lunar terrain. They've even been discussed in the most recent mission planning
[via Gizmodo - NewScientist]
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- by: Staff
- posted:
NASA, Space
04/05/2008
This narration-free Shuttle launch clip offers "point-of-view shots from the perspective of the astronauts." Video after the break.
The sequence is edited from three separate shuttle launches, all of which were on their way to the International Space Station
[via Dvice]
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You may have seen the NASA Chariot -- an omni-directional lunar rover -- before, but here's a first "glimpse of the behemoth in action -- on Earth, of course." Video after the break.
As you can see for yourself after the break, the rig certainly looks to be quite capable of tearing it up on the lunar surface, with it boasting a plough to smooth things out for a moon base (or other potential lunar installations)
[via Engadget]
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- by: Staff
- posted:
Auto, NASA
03/01/2008
We have seen the future of lunar rovers, and it's the NASA Chariot. This vehicle features "six double wheels, each with independent steering, and the pedestal the driver stands on can rotate a full 360-degrees." Click here for first picture in gallery.
That way the pilot can navigate the Chariot in any direction, and in a sense the vehicle really has no front or rear. The improved rover is part of NASA's efforts to bolster its space assets as the organization plans to have an outpost on the Moon by 2020
[via Dvice - Wired]



Alter-G puts all the extras into this futuristic "anti-gravity" treadmill -- FDA approved for rehabilitation purposes. Video after the break. Click here for one more picture. Here's how it works:
The physical lifting force generated by the G-Trainer comes from a difference in air pressure around the user's body. Normal environmental air pressure is approximately 15psi. The maximum amount of air pressure used in the G-Trainer, if the user chooses to reduce effective body weight at the maximum 80%, is 16.5psi, so the difference is very slight. At the maximum air pressure, the user experience feels similar to the pressure against your feet if you were standing in waist-high water, but without the resistance or movement of water
[via OhGizmo!]
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- by: Staff
- posted:
NASA, Space
11/20/2007
NASA has announced that it will begin "a yearlong test of an inflatable moon base in Antarctica in January." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.
Fully inflatable in a mere 11 minutes, the base probably won't be housing astronauts on the moon in the near future, as after this test they'll probably need to test it in a vacuum chamber
[via Gizmodo - Therawfeed]
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NASA's ATHLETE aka All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer might someday visit the moon, as it was specifically designed for cargo hauling. Video after the break.
A pair of cameras mounted on each of its six sides provide full stereoscopic panoramic view of the lunar surface. The small wheels are used on hard terrain, but they can lock to become feet when the goin' gets rougher.
[via Gizmodo - Make]
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