From: nsaulr@optushome.com.au   
      
   "Bill Bogen"  wrote in message   
   news:de488a4f.0401130653.55a75a4@posting.google.com...   
   > Are any back-up rovers available (US, UK, whatever) that might be   
   > tweaked slightly (ex; made teleoperable) and sent to the Moon to, say,   
   > explore possible lava tube sites for future colonies?  Obviously, even   
   > if one is available, we still need to develop a lander that can carry   
   > it down, since using a Mars aerobraking system is not an option!   
      
   Well, the designs are available at least (Spirit). But power systems would   
   have to be modified to cope with the long lunar night. Insulation systems   
   may also need work.   
      
   NASA needs to put out a request as soon as possible for a cheap rover   
   mission with a preferable cost of less than US$50million. Keep it small,   
   keep it simple, but give it the ability to carry a suite of instruments at   
   least as capable as the athena science package. NASA should use a company   
   that is not neccessarily Boeing or Lockheed. Transorbital or Spacedev may   
   prove capable.   
      
   Nathan   
      
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