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Transportation
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Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire; you will what you imagine; and at last you create what you will.

-George Bernard Shaw

rover_apollo17

Engineers have many design considerations and restraints when developing transportation systems and vehicles for Mars. The amount of dust on the planet will affect mechanical systems. Vehicles on Mars that have to go long distances will need to be pressurized. Will you build them on the planet, or will you bring these vehicles with you from Earth? What changes will need to be made to the designs?

Rovers for planetary exploration are in development, here is one design for a long-range pressurized rover.  Another design for a pressurized rover is for a Mars Surface Transportation System.   Rovers for surface science and geology will also be needed, this design is for a drilling and exploration vehicle.  Check out this design for an elastic loop mobility system vehicle.   Click here for more information about the rover designed for the Moon.   What about transportation through the air?  Click here to learn more about an airplane design for Mars.  marsgeol.jpg

Questions to think about:

  • What types of things might need to be transported from one place to another on Mars? 
  • Will you need different types of transportation for different purposes? 
  • Will the engine systems that run here on Earth work on Mars? Why or why not? 

Next... Communication Systems (pg. 6 of 10)

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