The "Tumbleweed Rover," is a giant, lightweight, inflated ball, with instruments inside, that could explore the Martian surface powered by wind. An animation shows how this concept might look when deployed on Mars. Jack Jones is interviewed.
Copies of this video are available directly from JPL's vendor: DG Fastchannel, (323) 603-5220.
Great concept unless it rolls into a ravine or gets wedged in a craggy terrain. It needs a small air jets or a flipper to get it out of trouble.
TheThumper49 3 months ago
I wonder if it could collect enough solar power to run a compressor for re-inflation, rather than carrying consumable compressed gas. Then it could run almost indefinitely.
BGenerous 1 year ago