NASA’s Weird and Wonderful Rovers

May 29, 2009 / Posted by: Aaron Gronstal

NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers have exceeded all expectations by surviving the rigors of exploring the red planet for five years – well beyond their intended lifespans. The rovers have returned a wealth of important data about Mars, but they’ve also taught NASA engineers important lessons about navigating the surface of an alien world. These lessons have inspired a new generation of weird and wonderful rovers that are capable of climbing, crawling and jumping almost any obstacle NASA can imagine. The technology could prove invaluable in the future exploration of our solar system.

To view a recent article from Wired magazine featuring some of the most unique robots that may soon explore new frontiers beyond Earth, visit: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/futurerovers/