NASA concludes tests for prototype Moon rovers

Washington, September 16 (ANI): NASA has concluded two weeks of technology development tests on two of the agency's prototype lunar rovers.

"These tests provide us with crucial information about how our cutting edge vehicles perform in field situations approximating the moon," said Rob Ambrose, Human Robotic Systems project lead at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

"We learn from them, then go back home to refine the technology and plan the next focus of our research," he added.

The annual studies featured an intensive, simulated 14-day mission.

Two crew members, an astronaut and a geologist, lived for more than 300 hours inside NASA's prototype Lunar Electric Rover.

The explorers scouted the area for features of geological interest, then donned spacesuits and conducted simulated moonwalks to collect samples.

The crew also docked to a simulated habitat, drove the rover across difficult terrain, performed a rescue mission and made a four-day traverse across the lava.

Throughout the test, the crew provided updates via Twitter and posted pictures and video online.

Prior to the test, NASA's K10 scout robot identified areas of interest for the crew to explore.

NASA's heavy-lift rover Tri-ATHLETE - or All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer - carried a habitat mockup to which the rover docked. (ANI)