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| 4 Precursor Mission Design | 4.3 Lunar Rover Race - Selected Concept |
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In order to increase public awareness to its fullest, it is desirable for all people around the world interact as much as possible with the race. This can be best achieved by allowing private persons, universities, schools, the military and companies to have equal opportunities to compete for a position on the lunar race track. Each of the five continents of the world will have a lunar rover representing it and then there will also be another five consisting of the best five runners-up, whatever their geographical location. This way the quality of the rovers will be high. To be able to compete for a position, a registration fee should be charged, the amount of which is dependent on the status of the organization. Companies will be required to pay most and schools will pay least. There are a number of ways of participating in this competition. The ultimate would be to bid for building a prototype rover and racing it in a national competition. The winner would then compete with other nations within their continent. However, at a regional level, universities can liaise with schools to brainstorm ideas for resolving design problems. The physics and technology departments can design small remote control rovers. At a lighter level, schools can participate in drawing the rovers or the logos. Universities have specialized departments such as in composite structures. When the infrastructure is at its optimum, it can be seen that a single bid will involve one or more companies such as those involved in the car industry or electronics. Many companies can participate indirectly in the race. In yacht races, etc., most, if not all of the funding comes from sponsors such as alcohol, cigarette, camera film, etc. companies. Companies will wish to sponsor one of the rovers as it will be great promotion of their products and/or service. Telecommunication companies would want to make sure that they get coverage of the event by providing cameras either at mission control or for the rovers. Computer companies can compete to provide sophisticated software and so allowing the rovers to be as dynamic as technology allows. Information systems can also be created so to create dynamic web pages for the ultimate real time link up. NEXT > [Home] [ISU] |