NASA Tests Robot Technology Under Harsh Desert Conditions

ROBO SPACE

A meteor crater somewhere in the Arizona desert.

by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 04, 2006
Arizona's high desert is a long way from the moon and Mars, but its temperature extremes, gusty winds and dust make NASA's robots, rovers and latest space gear feel right at home. The state's famed Meteor Crater and Cinder Lake area represents a surrogate planet surface for NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies team of scientists and engineers who test futuristic equipment.

This is the ninth year for the team to take on the high desert and volcanic ash beds found near Flagstaff, Ariz. The team of about 100 scientists and engineers from six NASA centers will test advanced prototype equipment and operational concepts that may support planetary exploration.

During the field tests, space-suited test subjects will simulate a day in the life of a surface exploration crew on the moon or Mars, investigating the surrounding landscape, installing and testing science equipment, excavating and collecting samples.

Also, a robotic vehicle called the All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer will navigate the rough terrain to establish a mock-up way station that would provide respite for a weary crew.

ROBO SPACE

Scientists Study Robot-Human Interactions

Hatfield, England (UPI) Aug 30, 2006
British scientists are studying how people interact with robots to determine what future machines should look like and how they should behave.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT China To Build Earthquake Warning System At Three Gorges Reservoir Area Interview: Katrina Lessons Learned Katrina Response A 'Systemic Failure': Former US Emergency Response Chief Engineers Find New Way To Close Levees	CLIMATE SCIENCE Evolution of Old World Fruit Flies on Three Continents Mirrors Climate Change Iron Critical To Ocean Productivity And Carbon Uptake Prevention Vital Against Desertification More Carbon Dioxide May Help Some Trees Weather Ice Storms
EARTH OBSERVATION Renewed Volcanic Activity At The Phlegrean Fields Tracked By Envisat China To Launch 1st Environment Monitoring Satellite NG Demonstrates Synthetic Aperture Laser Radar for Tactical Imagery MODIS Images Western Wildfires	ENERGY TECH Protesters Aim To Shut Down British Power Station Schwarzenegger Caps Greenhouse-Gas Emissions In California Crude Oil Rebounds On Iran Jitters Turning Fuel Ethanol Into Beverage Alcohol
EPIDEMICS Viruses Can Jump Between Primates And Humans Is The Cure In The Blood For Bird Flu HIV Life Expectancy Now Normal Analysis: Time To Quit On AIDS Vaccine	FLORA AND FAUNA Evolution Science Back On US Grant List Rotting Body Row As India Mourns Missing Vultures Kenyan Rangers Kill Rogue Jumbos After Fatal Human Attacks NASA Study Solves Ocean Plant Mystery
FROTH AND BUBBLE Tonnes Of Pilgrimage Trash Threaten Indian Kashmir Residents Flee Toxic Chemicals As Japan Finds Sunken Oil Tanker Early-Warning Water Security System To Be Tested China Making Little Progress On Pollution: Legislature	ABOUT US Snakes Credited For Our Keen Vision Ancient Raptors Likely Feasted On Early Man Remote Island Provides Clues On Population Growth, Environmental Degradation Human Brain Filing System Uncovered

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement