Tires on the ground ...

As a least route planner it belongs here. It's the kiss of death, if I start a thread I've noticed[]

<b>[Stoat] "It's the kiss of death, if I start a thread I've noticed."</b>

True, but that is just the result of trying to talk about something that others aren't interested in. Lack of response could be due to bad timing, poor presentation, or other issues. But if the topic is not going to generate a response, inserting it into a "hot" thread is not going to change that.

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BTW, despite the number of posts to this thread it is not really all that "hot". Most threads on this board are read by most members, but those same members only respond when they are interested. Or to point out a mistake.

Have you noticed that only three people are participating in this discussion? I'll guarantee you that dozens, if not hundreds, are reading it. It just isn't what they want to talk about.

LB

Thanks for your input Stoat, honestly this has been the most fun thread for me here in quite awhile, I was going cross-eyed over the mars photographs and like technological innovation to be part of what goes on here.

Larry, is right, with the number people who watch these threads don't be too surprised if we see this ideagora spring to fruition.

mark

BTW, does anyone know where to find out more info about that photovoltaic denim? I was curious if it could be woven with high tensile steel or kevlar into material for the tracks of the vehicle. Probably a pipe dream, but hmmmmmmm

Mark

There is a company called Flexcell that is alleged to be selling flexible solar panels now. If you go to their Website they have a catalog with a dozen or so models offered. Specs for one 7 watt version:

900 grams
35cm X 90 cm
450 mA @ 15 V
availability - now
price - zero Euros

(Hmmm. Wonder what that means?)

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Output on Mars would be around 3 watts.

The only rover design we have looked at so far that could accomodate something like this is the mono-wheel ball rover. Perhaps we need to spend some more time looking at it and talking about it?

The company that workded on the "denim" cell are Spheral Solar of Cambridge, Ontario. It sounds pretty tough stuff but I suppose it depends on the strength of the surface protective plastic layer.

I've thought about it a bit and still think that program idea belongs here. Part of the deal is to suggest routes, though a little bit of "jay walking" is okay by me.

The lander puts down and the rovers want to go from a to b. Let's say we get a geologist, a geographer and a geomorphologist to stick pins in our dem model. They will end up with different least routes. If we want to look for the least routes that would be associated with life in general, or intelligence, then we get another least route. Now I think they would all tie in together in some subtle way but the main point would be that we would never get a simple straight line route.

We pick a number of routes, and computer simulate driving them. This will give us some idea of the design requirements of our rovers. It would also give us something "sexy" to show to prospective clients.