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Kimberly W. Land
Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA       May 13, 2003
(Phone: 757/864-9885, 757/344-8611)
k.w.land{at}larc.nasa.gov

RELEASE: 03-029

A new way to explore the surface of Mars

Students from North Carolina State University (NCSU) are helping NASA 
expand the exploration of the surface of Mars. The team of students
and researchers has designed a wind-powered rover that can be blown,
like tumbleweed, across the surface of the Red Planet collecting
atmospheric and geological samples at multiple locations.

In the Aerospace Design class at NCSU, the team of nine students and 
their faculty advisor researched concept and prototype development, 
studied wind tunnel testing, and performed actual field-testing with
the tumbleweed rover. The idea to study a "Mars Tumbleweed" for the
class project was initiated by team leader David Minton, while
working as an intern at NASA Langley Research Center in the summer of
2002. "Interning at NASA was great. We got to do some really exciting
research," says Minton. His summer experience paved the way for the
student project topic. 

The students studied how the tumbleweed harnesses the wind for
movement using its intricate lightweight branch structure. By
imitating the way the prairie plant operates in nature, the team was
able to apply their knowledge to designing the rover concept.

The students constructed a prototype rover called the Tumbleweed
Earth Demonstrator (TED), scaled for use on Earth and based on NASA
Langley concepts. The student-built rover will aid the Mars
exploration effort at Langley, by providing preliminary data that
will influence future tumbleweed design concepts.

Current Mars rover models are very complex and expensive, and their 
ability to traverse rough terrain is limited. Landing sites must be 
carefully chosen to ensure the safety of the vehicle and the ability
to carry out the mission. Therefore, many scientifically interesting
Martian sites are now inaccessible.

A future mission scenario could disperse multiple Tumbleweed rovers
to roam the surface of Mars carrying instruments with unique sensors
to search for water or investigate climate. For more information
about the Mars Tumbleweed student project at NC State University,
visit: 

     http://www.mars-tumbleweed.org

For more information about the Mars exploration efforts at NASA
Langley, visit:

     http://www.larc.nasa.gov

-end-

Media Opportunity: Members of the media are invited to attend a 
demonstration of the Mars Tumbleweed rover at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday,
May 14, at the H.J.E. Reid Conference Center, 14 Langley Blvd., NASA
Langley Research Center. Please contact Kimberly W. Land at
(757) 864-9885 or 344-8611 (mobile) for credentials.

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