images

Martian Motor home

by

Walter B. Myers/Novapix

Reference

e-exm02-00025

Date

2009-08-15

A pressurized martian rover (AKA martian motor home) would permit human explorers to traverse long distances across the hostile martian surface from within the relative safety and comfort of a climate-controlled environment.
The rover featured in this image, as seen from the rear, includes wing-like solar voltaic panels suspended above the chassis to supplement its electrical needs. Also on top is a high-gain antenna for direct communication with the Earth and various other sensors that include a long-range optical stereo telescope and meteorological instruments for monitoring the exotic climate.