NASA’s Mars Rover Concept Looks Like the Batmobile – Futurism

In Brief A massive concept rover will be traveling the country this summer as part of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center's "Summer of Mars" educational event, which is designed to inspire interest in the Red Planet. An Otherworldly Concept

Each year, automakers around the world release futuristic concept carsthat force us to reconsider our notion of what a vehicle is, both in terms of looks and functionality. Now, one company is doing the same thing, but instead of reinventing the sedan or pickup truck, theyve offered their take on a Mars rover.

Through a partnership with NASAs Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Parker Brothers Conceptshas built a six-wheeled, all-electric rover designed specifically to meet the challenges of exploring the surface of Mars. The estimated weight of the vehicle is 5,000 pounds, and its a staggering 28 feet long, so you definitely wouldnt see it rolling down a highway here on Earth. Although it does reportedly have a max speed of 96 to 112 kmh (60 to 70 mph).

One of the rovers creators, Marc Parker, told Business Insider that NASA provided his company with parameters for the vehicle. They then used that input to design and build their Batmobile-esque creation, which Parker calls a dual-purpose vehicle. It actually separates in the middle, he explained. The rear section is a full lab, the front area is a cockpit for going out and doing scouting.

Just a few days after its unveiling in Florida, the rover is already getting people excited about Mars exploration, and that excitement should only grow over the coming months. This summer, the vehicle will travel to various U.S. cities as part of NASA and the Kennedy Space Centers Summer of Mars event, and after that, it will be included in a new astronaut training experience opening at the center this fall.

The impact of the rover wont be limited to those who see it in person, either. Were also filming for a reality television series thats going to be coming out about this build, said Parker, who claims the show will be released on one of the bigger cable networks.

Like most concept cars, the Parker Brothers rover wont actually see any practical action, but it could serve as a prototype for future vehicles. More importantly, it could inspire interest in space exploration, in which case its creation will have been well worth the effort.

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NASA's Mars Rover Concept Looks Like the Batmobile - Futurism