The Small Pressurized Rover (SPR) is NASA's latest concept in terms of rovers that will wander on the surface of the Moon. Recently, a group of technicians, geologists and astronauts have been involved in a week-long demonstration of the prototype in the Arizona desert, during the 11th yearly Desert Research And Technology Studies (RATS).

This will allow them to choose between two versions of the concept, as well as for its fine-tuning or major adaptation, depending on the performances obtained.

 

Two teams, each of them comprised of an astronaut and a geologist, have driven the rovers around the desert in the hope of finding out whether there is something – anything – wrong with them, so that they don't provide any unpleasant surprises when actually used 380.000 km away from Earth. One of the models shows a somewhat regular (for such purposes) vehicle that allows for the freedom of its occupants, except for the fact that, being directly exposed to space conditions, they would have to wear the rigid astronaut space suits.

 

The second version is provided with a pressurized module on its chassis – thus its name, Small Pressurized Rover – which will offer the inhabitants an environment that will permit them not to wear space suits, but will prevent them from getting out of the vehicle instead, limiting their access and direct intervention in the environment. Still, they are free to put on their suits if they wish to exit the rover and perform any extra vehicular activity.

 

The first week has been very difficult for the machines, since they were subjected to day-long rides. But the following series of tests, beginning next week, will see them performing even longer treks, with a duration of up to 3 days, which will provide the experts enough data on how the devices adapt to long-distance and long-duration missions.