Space Exploration Vehicle

The Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV), previous designs were known as the Lunar Electric Rover (LER) and the Small Pressurized Rover (SPR),[1] is a vehicle being designed by NASA for extra-vehicular activity on a planetary surface or in-space missions.[2]

The SEV is the size of a small pickup truck, it has 12 wheels, and can house two astronauts for up to two weeks.[3] The SEV consists of a chassis and cabin module.[4] The SEV will allow the attachment of tools such as cranes, cable reels, backhoes and winches.[4] Designed for 2, this vehicle is capable of supporting 4 in an emergency.[4] With wheels that can pivot 360 degrees, the SEV is able to drive in any direction.[4] Astronauts can enter and exit without space suits directly from an airlock docking hatch, or through a suitport without the need to depressurize the habitat module.[4]

The pressurized module contains a small bathroom with privacy curtains and a shower head producing a water mist for sponge baths.[5] It also contains cabinets for tools, workbench areas and two crew seats that can fold back into beds.[5]

Contents

Specifications

SEV

Chassis

References

  1. ^ "Three Days in the Desert Tests Lunar 'RV'". NASA.gov. December 3, 2008. http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/analogs/desert_rats_2008.html. Retrieved March 14, 2011. 
  2. ^ NASA's Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV)
  3. ^ "NASA's New Lunar Electric Rover (LER)". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/home/LER.html. Retrieved 2009-09-29. 
  4. ^ a b c d e "Lunar Electric Rover Concept". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/284669main_LER_FactSheet_web.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-29. 
  5. ^ a b "How Lunar Rovers Work". howstuffworks. http://science.howstuffworks.com/lunar-rover5.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-29. 

External links

Succeeded
Proposed
Chandrayaan-2 (2013) • Chang'e 3 Rover (2013) • ATHLETE (2010s) • Space Exploration Vehicle (2010s) • Scarab (2010s) • Astrobotic Red Rover (2013)
Bold italics indicates active missions