NASA astronauts will have their own droid when they go back to the Moon
NASA is taking a significant step forward in its lunar exploration efforts by selecting Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) to be the first robotic rover to operate on the moon alongside astronauts during the upcoming Artemis mission. This innovative four-wheeled rover will play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the lunar environment, despite its tasks being less complex than the iconic robots of science fiction. Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, MAPP will analyze the lunar surface, focusing on the behavior of dust and the characteristics of surface plasma. This data will provide essential insights into the conditions astronauts will face on the moon, ultimately aiding in the safety and sustainability of human life beyond Earth.
The importance of MAPP’s mission cannot be overstated, especially when considering the lessons learned from the Apollo missions. Nicky Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for science, emphasized that as humanity ventures further from our home planet, the reliance on scientific knowledge becomes increasingly critical for ensuring the well-being of astronauts. By deploying MAPP and its scientific instruments on the moon, NASA aims to create a comprehensive “interplanetary survival guide.” This initiative not only prepares for the immediate challenges of lunar exploration but also lays the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond. As we embark on this new chapter of space exploration, MAPP stands as a testament to the integration of robotics and human exploration, symbolizing a collaborative effort to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M5yCMk63kk
B-9 had Will Robinson. Twiki had Buck Rogers. And, of course, C-3PO and R2-D2 had Luke Skywalker. Now, in a scenario straight out of science fiction, MAPP will have whoever NASA names to the crew of the second Artemis mission to land on the moon.
The space agency has selected Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform, or MAPP, to become the
first robotic rover to operate on the moon alongside astronauts
. Although its tasks will be far simpler than those of the robots seen on TV and in the movies, the autonomous four-wheeled MAPP will help scientists learn more about the crew’s surroundings. Science instruments on the rover will characterize the surface plasma and behavior of the dust in the lunar environment.
“The Apollo era taught us that the further humanity is from Earth, the more dependent we are on science to protect and sustain human life on other planets,” said Nicky Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for science, in a statement. “By deploying these… science instruments on the lunar surface, our proving ground, NASA is leading the world in the creation of humanity’s interplanetary survival guide to ensure the health and safety of our spacecraft and human explorers as we begin our epic journey back to the Moon.”
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