Testing a Martian Dune Buggy in Mojave

by Nancy Atkinson on July 7, 2012

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Nancy Atkinson is Universe Today's Senior Editor. She also is the host of the NASA Lunar Science Institute podcast and works with the Astronomy Cast and 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevin-Frushour/758114941 Kevin Frushour

I’m curious. Does this Curiosity update satiate my curiosity?
http://www.facebook.com/Dr.Nothing Jeffrey Scott Boerst

I’ve never yet seen a UT article with absolutely no text… Thanks for the post, but what’s up?
http://www.facebook.com/evan.fogolin Evan Fogolin

the tire tread looks far from adequate, it looks like its begging to get stuck, im not expert but i have quite a few years as a kid racing remote control monster trucks and, considering the cost and effort they are making to get this thing from not smashing into smitherines after entry. im suprised at what im looking at. i know the gravity is approximatly 1/3 earths the speed could surely be increased and ability to get unstuck improved had they put better wheels on that thing. . . . .
http://www.quietatheist.com/ Slugsie

The depth of tread seems ridiculously small. I would have expected something much more aggressive, especially as they are expecting to run on sand all the time. Any RCer will tell you that you want sand paddles. However, I would also expect that NASA and the MSL guys will have tested all types of tyres, and chosen then best overall compromise.