Neo Classic Space

Today we retreat to a quiet backwater of the Federation, where no harm could possibly befall us, for some quiet research with Ralph Savelsberg's L.U.R.C.H. and mobile lab.

 

Having anti-gravity technology and flying around‭ ‬at relativistic velocities can be a lot of fun,‭ ‬of course,‭ ‬but sometimes you just have to move something large and heavy across the surface of a planet.‭ ‬In that case,‭ ‬a wheeled vehicle is still the way to go.‭ ‬The‭ ‬Federation’s‭ ‬standard vehicle for this kind of task is called L.U.R.C.H.,‭ ‬which stands for Large‭ ‬Ultra-Rugged Cargo Hauler.‭ ‬That name‭ ‬pretty much covers it.‭ ‬Rather than going for a high-tech option,‭ ‬this‭ ‬vehicle‭ ‬was built using old-fashioned but highly dependable technology.‭ ‬It has to be rugged.‭ ‬Where this thing goes,‭ ‬there is no breakdown service.‭ ‬There is no‭ ‬road either.‭ ‬In fact,‭ ‬other than a lot of dirt and the occasional scenic view,‭ ‬there generally isn't much of anything.‭

The men and women of the Classic Space Federation have good reason to be nervous on Friday the 13th as Andrew Becraft demonstrates with his 997 rover.

The LL-997 "Craterbuster" Rover serves as the day-to-day mapping and scientific research vehicle for the permanent human settlement on Earth's moon. Thanks to its paired micro-reactor generators, it can achieve speeds up to 74 miles per hour with power enough to climb inclines of up to 45 degrees. Cargo room in the rear of the rover includes a collapsable shelter, water, and food, enabling lunar researchers to remain afield for up to three days.

 

The addition of explosive canisters on LL-997's front bumper enables scientists to take out roving space zombies with impunity.

 

The addition of explosive canisters on LL-997's front bumper enables scientists to take out roving space zombies with impunity.

Its top speed is put to the test, however, when the Craterbuster encounters a mysterious winged cephalopod...

The LL-997 "Craterbuster" Rover serves as the day-to-day mapping and scientific research vehicle for the permanent human settlement on Earth's moon.

The LL-997 "Craterbuster" Rover serves as the day-to-day mapping and scientific research vehicle for the permanent human settlement on Earth's moon.

It seems that Nnenn has got the Classic Space bug, and has already slipped out his second model of the month, his Mobile "Research" Platform. Somehow I missed it yesterday, but I thought it too good to leave out of our celebration.

The Federation scientific community was incensed when the term 'research' was applied to a military reconnaissance vehicle. But General Haak insisted sample gathering qualified the name... even though it was mostly of alien species.

We can't help wondering how many more Nnenn will manage this month...