Communications of the ACM
Steampunk Venus Rover Ideas Win NASA Contest to 'Explore Hell' With Clockwork Robots
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory received 572 entries from 82 countries in a contest to generate ideas for replacing traditional spacecraft sensors in its future Venus rover.
Credit: Youssef Ghali/HeroX/NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) received 572 entries from 82 countries in a contest to generate ideas for replacing traditional spacecraft sensors in its future Venus rover.
Based on these ideas, "rollers and fenders" could replace the sensors, which would not last long on a hot planet like Venus, whose environment has destroyed other spacecraft within minutes of landing.
The new rover would rely less on computers and advanced equipment, instead featuring a steampunk-like design that depends on a small wind turbine and springs for movement.
Said JPL's Jonathan Sauder, "There were so many great ideas and well-developed concepts that in addition to first, second, and third place, we decided to add two finalists and another 10 honorable mentions in recognition of the amazing work people put into this project."
From Space.com
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