NASA is planning for a crew of astronauts to orbit Mars in 2033 in an ambitious mission. Then if that goes well, NASA hopes to land on Mars, and they will need to have a vehicle to explore the red planet. Despite the plans of reaching Mars being over a decade away, NASA is creating a Mars rover, and the space agency unveiled a concept vehicle that looks futuristic AF.
NASA revealed the badass Mars rover concept vehicle at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
After today's reveal, #KennedySpaceCenter Mars Rover Concept Vehicle on display thru July 4. #JoinTheJourney pic.twitter.com/ZWDdwR74m6
— Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (@ExploreSpaceKSC) June 5, 2017
The 6,000-pound, 24-foot, six-wheel space vehicle looks like it was designed by Bruce Wayne. The rover is reported to have a top speed of 60 to 70 mph and is driven by an electric motor, which is powered by solar panels and a 700-volt battery. The rover seats four and drives much like an SUV. The concept vehicle has an open space in the rear to serve as a lab for Martian research.
It caused quite a stir when @ExploreSpaceKSC unveiled their new #Mars rover concept vehicle. Learn more: https://t.co/8e2dO1AlVZ pic.twitter.com/ERtw12Koac
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) June 6, 2017
During the kickoff of the “Summer of Mars” event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the spaceship-like vehicle, which looks like Batman’s Tumbler from “The Dark Knight,” was paraded out to the public.
Concept #Mars rover now on display @ExploreSpaceKSC – come see it soon. I really wanted to drive it off the lot @MyNews13 @NASAKennedy pic.twitter.com/uciSshXZBv
— Greg Pallone (@gpallone13) June 5, 2017
But before you get too excited, most of the rover’s visible characteristics are just for show and will be available for visitors of the space center to check out.
“Some of this was just for design,” Shanon told CBS News. “You know, just for it to look cool. Other things that I thought, you know, this is kind of important to have.”
The rover concept will be on display at the Kennedy Space Center until July 4 and then it will go on tour on the east coast this summer as part of NASA’s Summer of Mars program, which has the goal of educating people about Mars.
[IBTimes]