The Steampunk Rover Concept That Could Help Explore Venus

www.wired.com...

Rather than relying entirely on state-of-the-art components, a mechanical automaton built from high-temperature steel and titanium could travel over Venus’ scorching terrain, using clockwork sensors to avoid obstacles while collecting power from wind and storing it in a wind-up spring. Though it sounds like the basis of some retro-future sci-fi novel in which the Victorians explore the solar system, a rudimentary version of Sauder’s vision is being built and tested in the modern day.

Venus is apparently a hugely hostile place and our regular tech doesn't work.

good luck guys.

a reply to: ElGoobero

It will last as long as the seals last...

But moving parts and seals in an environment like Venus? With no credible way for repairs and PM’s?

a reply to: ElGoobero

If I recall correctly, Venus averages over 800 degrees Fahrenheit making electronics pretty hard to use.
This concept makes some sense I suppose but the whole point is to collect data and transmit it to earth. How would a mechanical rover accomplish that without electric circuits?

The balloon idea is pretty unrealistic.

a reply to: ElGoobero

That is some out of the box/retro tastic thinking
Although,lots of moving parts mean more chances of component failure..

I would like to see what they come up with,even if it doesn't end up going to Venus.
I know the Russians have been talking about going back for a while too:

news.bbc.co.uk...

When I was a kid I had a book about space,and I was always fascinated by the page that had a couple of shots of Venus taken by the Soviet Venera lander.
I was amazed that they could land and take some images in such a hostile environment.
I mean,everything melted after a few minutes,but they managed to send back some high quality images:


Pretty amazing images,especially considering how easy it is to mess up a photo on Earth if the weather is bit off.
To get nice sharp images on the surface of Venus,remotely back in the 1970s was quite an accomplishment I think.

Looking forward to see how this new NASA mission develops.

a reply to: Silcone Synapse
My first thoughts were the Soviet Venera landers.

The landers that functioned after a soft landing only lasted for less than 2 hours.

It rains sulfuric acid on Venus.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: ElGoobero

If I recall correctly, Venus averages over 800 degrees Fahrenheit making electronics pretty hard to use.
This concept makes some sense I suppose but the whole point is to collect data and transmit it to earth. How would a mechanical rover accomplish that without electric circuits?

two sturdy cups and a very, very long cable (also sturdy).

originally posted by: butcherguy
a reply to: Silcone Synapse
My first thoughts were the Soviet Venera landers.

The landers that functioned after a soft landing only lasted for less than 2 hours.

It rains sulfuric acid on Venus.

Its a seriously hostile planet indeed.
But-It could be good luck for us to have such a planet so near our own,because if we could build stuff which could survive there,we could learn a lot of valuable skills for working on other planets in the longer term.

We should try to make a habitat there,able to withstand the environment,but with a suitable interior for human survival.
I mean we dont have to send people,but as a test for other missions Venus could become very useful.
Mars may even seem easy if we could figure out how to tame Venus.