Did you know NASA is testing concepts for next generation vehicles to be use on future exploration missions? These space exploration vehicles offer advanced features compared to the last crewed roving space vehicle, the Apollo lunar rover.
Once we’re in space, a safe vehicle for exploration will increase our productivity and propel us toward achieving our mission objectives.
See this Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) in the Space Center Houston plaza. The prototype is designed to support astronauts for up to two weeks in a low gravity environment.
Its robot arms enable the crew to handle satellites, and it has suit ports to help astronauts suit-up and exit the vehicle and a solar array to power the vehicle.
This prototype is a concept for a modular vehicle architecture that includes a cabin that can be mounted to a variety of different mobility platforms.
The mobility platforms included can include a rover chassis, in space propulsion system (shown), or a hoppers that could be used in low gravity environments such as the moons or Mars.
The air bearing floor allows frictionless movement in 3 degrees while an actual vehicle in space would have 6 degrees of freedom.
This prototype was tested by engineers at NASA Johnson Space Center on a floor that acts like the surface of an air hockey table. The air bearing floor allows frictionless motion, simulating low gravity.
Space Center Houston continues to bring you something new to explore. For a limited time, see this next generation vehicle helping to further human space exploration.
