Thinking Outside the Bob

At this point in the development of Rover Bob or Bob Rover (sometimes referred to as RBBR in Star Wars talk) we need to think ‘total configuration’. What does the entire Bob consist of?

But this incredibly sophisticated illustration means nothing without the context of the mission. Every NASA runaround the planet thingie has had a mission. Even if the mission was, and probably always was, “Think this thing will work?”

We need a mission for Bob.

Let’s check in with NASA for a list of their past missions. OK then. There have been around 567 (+- 4.5%) different NASA missions including Gemini, Apollo and a few that you probably have never heard of like “Asteroid Redirect”, “Earth Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer”, and “Fire & Smoke”*. After looking through all of the NASA missions of the past, I think we should stick with, “Think this thing will work?”

I know that we are supposed to be designing and 3d printing plastic parts by now but I really wanted to get these frivolous and esoteric matters out of the way as to not interfere with our Design Stage flow.

That said, the Artificial Intelligence and Human Interface components for Bob have gotten me a little freaked out. Might have to consult with Stephen Hawking before we go into fab and final assembly. Maybe Elon as well, he’s scared shitless of A.I.

As for the other modules of Locomotion, Guidance, Sustainability and Capabilities, I think we are on a solid track there. Terra firma as NASA calls it.

BTW, we were thinking about naming Bob in the Star Wars vernacular making Rover Bob, Bob Rover into the acronym RBBR but there is a copyright violation with Arby’s. Plus we didn’t want to confuse our wonderful rover with the worst food on Planet Earth. So, we ain’t going with RBBR even with a number at the end like RBBR 8 or RB3BR.

*Note: Imagine the thrill for the three astronauts, after 10 years of prep and disciplined toil when they get their orders. “You, gentle people have been chosen for the ‘Fire and Smoke Mission’. Good luck and God Bless America...and you actually. Mainly you.”