Brandon Keim
Science

NASA's Lunar Lowrider

The Chariot is NASA's radically new design for a lunar rover. No doors, no windows and no seats -- and each of its six wheels has independent steering.
Image may contain Wheel Machine Human Person Transportation and Vehicle
The pilot's perch, containing both the driver and the steering wheel, can rotate a full 360 degrees, making the Chariot a car with no permanent front or rear. "The Apollo astronauts couldn't back up at all because they couldn't see where they were going in reverse," said Johnson Space Center roboticist Rob Ambrose.Photo: NASA
Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Buggy Motorcycle Automobile Car and Building
Photo: NASA
Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Buggy Motorcycle Building and Factory
Photo: NASA
Image may contain Electronics Computer Hardware Computer Hardware and Electronic Chip
Photo: NASA
Image may contain Human Person Transportation Vehicle Tractor Buggy and Bulldozer
Photo: NASA
Image may contain Human Person Michael Catherwood Workshop Transportation Vehicle and Motorcycle
Photo: NASA