Despite NASA's manned space exploration being in a state of flux, there's still a lot of innovative ideas for future manned expeditions to Mars. From new concepts for interplanetary rockets to the next generation of unmanned reconnaissance robots, we are certainly well on our way to acquiring the technologies necessary to land an astronaut on Mars.
But once we're there, how will we get around? Mars is a big place -- it has approximately the same amount of land to explore as Earth -- so it would be nice if we traveled in style.
So why not travel in award-winning style?
An Illinois-based design consulting firm decided to take on this challenge, designing a manned Mars rover, winning the "Good Design Award" in the transportation category from The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design last month. They were in good company; Good Design Awards also went to Mercedes for their SLR Coupe and Apple for the iPod touch.
A Functional Design
We've all seen the "advanced concepts" for space vehicles and they are often conceived from the same sci-fi idea that future space vehicles will have sleek lines and bulbous cabins. However, the main shortfalls of these types of vehicle are that they are often very large and contain a lot of empty space.
The Manned Mars Exploration Rover (Montgomery Design International).
In reality, when transporting anything from Earth to Mars, it needs to be as compact as possible.
"The rover would need to be shipped to Mars in a 'knocked down' state," said Gregg Montgomery, owner of the family-run design consulting firm Montgomery Design International, when speaking with Discovery News.
"There's a lot of wasted space inside vehicles, so the first thing was to design a rover that could be easily assembled when on Mars."
The Manned Mars Exploration Rover project melds industrial design engineering with human factors. The engineers identified the needs of our future Mars explorers first and then adapted the design of the vehicle around their requirements. This is a technique known as "function analysis."
Working with Dr. Steven Casey, of California-based Ergonomic Systems Design, the team was able to assemble a modular vehicle where astronauts could comfortably work, sleep and exercise for up to 3 weeks at a time, allowing them to traverse hundreds of miles.
The vehicle modules are designed to be swapped out depending on the requirements of the mission; including a crane (should some heavy-lifting of equipment be needed) or a laboratory for scientists to do on-site analysis.
"Like with any space vehicle, one of the key factors in the design is redundancy," Montgomery said. This means that careful consideration was also put into the various back-up systems and fail-safes should another system fail. The last thing any Mars pioneer would want is a flat tire when traversing Valles Marineris and realizing there's no spare. (Although these tires won't be pumped up with air, they'll be filled with a lightweight foam core.)
A Mars Standard
With the crane module attached, an astronaut hooks up a robotic rover to be towed back to base (Montgomery Design International)
This vehicle would need a high degree of autonomy, acting as an emergency base should a Mars habitat need to be evacuated. There would also be the requirement of a reliable, steady supply of energy, so the use of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) would be preferred.
RTGs power many space missions -- including NASA's Cassini and New Horizons probes -- as the slow decay of small pellets of radioactive material produces heat that can be turned into electricity.
Although solar panels are used to power smaller robotic missions like Spirit and Opportunity, RTGs will deliver the power needed for a manned mission and won't be affected by dust storms that can play havoc with solar arrays. For convenience, the team suggests having 'Mars standard' RTG batteries that can be plugged into other rovers, equipment and habitats.
A Joy to Ride
Gregg Montgomery's son Kip is the Design Director of the project and focused on ways the astronauts could explore the terrain without disembarking from the vehicle more than is necessary.
Although this rover design includes airlocks to remove the fine dust from spacesuits, the cabin has been designed to be as comfortable as possible so the astronauts can remain inside while operating robotic arms attached to the outside, thereby minimizing dust contamination.
The psychological impact of living and working on the Martian surface has also been considered and reflected in the design of the interior of the rover:
"One other thought on the interior was that it should use complimentary colors to the monochromatic rust color of Mars. There have been studies performed showing that reds can be an exciting and even irritating color, so it was thought that considering the length of these missions, the planet color should be offset with shades of blue and green on the cabin interior. Also interior lighting could adjustable through the full spectrum, to provide a pleasing environment, or improved night vision when running in the dark." -- Gregg Montgomery
Combine Harvesters... and Mars Rovers?
The rover design (Montgomery Design International)
Probably the most interesting thing about the Manned Mars Exploration Rover is that Montgomery Design International has 25 years of experience designing agricultural equipment. Agricultural machines need to be reliable, efficient and tough; all the qualities a Mars rover should obviously have.
"There are a lot of similarities between this and a combine harvester design," Montgomery added. "Look at the windshield on the combine; it has a convex shape that gives it a better field of view."
This shape has been inherited by the Mars rover, providing our future Mars drivers with a wide view to navigate around the boulder-strewn plains and craggy mountainous regions.
In 27 Years Time?
Now, for the important question: When will we see the Manned Mars Exploration Rover making tread marks in the Martian regolith?
In the year 2037, Earth and Mars will make a close approach (an astronomical event known as "opposition") and in 2007, NASA signaled that this would be the ideal time to send a manned mission to the Red Planet. It is hoped that this rover design, or components of it, may be considered for such a mission.
However, a lot has changed since 2007, especially since the Constellation Program has been canceled and there is currently no clear time line for the U.S. space agency to send astronauts anywhere, let alone Mars.
Although their design has been recognized by winning an international design competition, both Gregg and Kip Montgomery are aware of the realities of any space program.
"I think a manned mission to Mars is a possibility [in 2037], but it depends on the administration at the time. It's hard to tell," Gregg concluded.
For further information about this project contact: contact@montgomerydesign.com or scasey@ergonomicsystemsdesign.com
Tags: Mars, NASA, Robotics, Space Travel
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