🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello everyone!

I was glad to see this new group. I have an interest in planetary science
and exploration, and it was nice to see a splinter group dedicated to
that particular aspect.

Over the last few months, I have seen alot of attention being given
to Mars and Mars manned & unmanned missions in the early part of the
next century. One of the unmanned types being a rover with possible sample
return.

Through all this, I have heard little mention of concuring lunar missions.
Would'nt it make sence to to try a rover out on the moon before sending
one all the way to Mars? Reasons being as follows:

1. The rover itself could be tested on similar terrain while gathering
useful data.

2. Minimize risk of a long space flight and entry into an atmosphere while
at the same time working the bugs out of the vehicle in launch and landing
phases. 

3. The time frame is much shorter. A rover can get to the moon and testing
begun in a fraction of the time required to go all the way to mars.


Tim Harincar			"Always listen to experts.			
Central Minnesota 		They'll tell you what can't
Association of Rocketry		be done and why. Then do it."
soc1070@vx.acs.umn.edu			-Lazarus Long