Labels: text | machine OCR: ROBOTS MARTIAN ROVERS ROBOTS IN FILM In the late 1970s, American space engineers were studying three kinds of vehicles: - A 30-kilo, battery-powered vehicle, having a radius of action of 100 meters. This vehicle could collect samples for spectrometric analysis, much like that carried out by the Viking probes. - A 60-kilo vehicle with a radius of action of one kilometer capable of collecting bore samples and conducting seismographic experiments. - An 85-kilo vehicle whose radius of action would exceed ten kilometers, equipped with two generators producing 35 watts of electrical power, offering the advantage of an extended life-time. For Mars exploration, the third type of vehicle was considered most appropriate. Because new equipment for biological detection will be needed, the Mars version of the vehicle would weigh 103 kilos. This rover would be compact-1.2 meters long, 60 centimeters wide, and 52 centimeters high-with a low center of gravity for increased stability. It would also be equipped with a camera 80 centimeters above the ground. MARS BETAT
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