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From: gerry@cive.ri.cmu.edu (Gerry Roston)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: CM Ambler Rover
Message-ID: <9742@pt.cs.cmu.edu>
Date: 27 Jun 90 16:18:29 GMT
References: <3708@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> <95816@philabs.Philips.Com> <18280@well.sf.ca.us> <56@tucson.sie.arizona.edu> <8485@jpl-devvax.JPL.NASA.GOV>
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Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
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The reason that the CMU Ambler and JPL's Robby is as large as they are
is to meet a variety of mission objectives.  These include such things
as covering a certain amount of terrain in a given time, being able to
perform meaningful scientific experiments, such as taking core samples
from rocks.  In addition, since the proposed mission is a sample and return
mission, the vehicle must be able to carry a cargo of Martian samples 
without adversely affecting its mobility.  These reasons seem to preclude
small rovers.


-- 
gerry roston, field robotics center
robotics institute, carnegie mellon university
pittsburgh, pennsylvania, 15213  (412) 268-6557
gerry@cive.ri.cmu.edu