Article Posted on : - Jun 04, 2010

An artistic impression of Tumbleweed probes exploring the Dao Vallis region of Mars. Photo: NASA (LaRC/Case Western University/NASA Planetary Data System).

NEW DELHI (BNS): Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a computer model that will allow engineers to test the attributes of different concept of a wind-powered vehicle designs also named as – tumbleweed rover- for exploring Mars surface.

Through this method, researchers could select the best design characteristics before spending the time and money necessary to create prototypes for testing in real-world conditions.

"We wanted a way to determine how different tumbleweed rover designs would behave under the various conditions that may be faced on the Martian surface," said Dr. Andre Mazzoleni, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State and co-author of the research paper, according to a news report by the North Carolina State University.

"The model that we've developed is important, as it will help NASA to make informed decisions about the final design characteristics of any tumbleweed rovers it ultimately sends to Mars,” he said.

Researchers of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Langley Research Center are working on the idea of sending tumbleweed rovers to Mars.

"We're optimistic that our model can serve as a mission design tool that NASA can use to choose appropriate design parameters," Mazzoleni added.

The new model will allow researchers to check the performance of various designs on the mars landscape under different wind conditions and in different terrains.