 |
|
|
The transport buggy used on Mars has had several variants
since the first model, developed by Nikolas Pherides in 2134, was placed
on Mars. This first model was a 4 wheel, all wheel drive (AWD),
electric powered, open-framed model which could accommodate 4 passengers
with pressure suits and about 800 kilos of cargo. The buggy’s gross
weight was about 2200 kilos; it had a range of 25 kilometers at 100%
gross weight and a top speed of 33 km/hour. This buggy, designated
model 22-4T, was constantly upgraded until the last models, the 32-6T
and the 32-2M, were delivered to Mars in 2164. The 32-6T, had a gross
weight of 3200 kilos, could accommodate 6 passengers with pressure suits
and about 1200 kilos of cargo. The 32-2M which was the military
variant, had a crew capacity of 2 with pressure suits, and carried the
MPC - Magnetic Pulse Canon, with 1250 Savaard projectiles. Either unit
had a range of 50 kilometers at 100% gross weight and a top speed of 57
km/hour. Over 200 of the 22-4T models were shipped to Mars and 150 of
the 32-6T models and 35 of the 32-2M models were shipped.
In 2172, Dr. Janos Rukh developed a new triple
bladder tire for the 32-2M which allowed the tire to inflate and deflate
as needed to compensate for soft Martian sands. The tire was also
puncture resistance through the addition of Kevlonite XT fibers in the
sidewalls and tread. Dr. Rukh also fitted high capacity, enriched
sodium tetrahydroborate fuel cells
into the 32-2M as well as high torque motors which increased the top
speed to 103 km/hour and the maximum range to 2500 kilometers at 100%
gross weight. The new models, designated 32-2MX, also had solar and
wind charging systems for the fuel cells so the transport buggy and crew
could remain out on patrol indefinitely, only dependant on water, food,
and ammunition supply. Over 300 of the new model 32-2MX transport
buggies were shipped to Mars from 2172 until 2177.
- David C. Gann, Senior Archivist / Cook |
