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       Nasa increases funding for railway on the moon
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       The Float plan would see unpowered magnetic robots levitating over a
       3-layer flexible film track to propel carts at around 1mph.
        
       Ethan Schaler, a Nasa robotics engineer, is leading the project and
       estimates it could move 100 tons a day.
        
       "Float will operate autonomously in the dusty, inhospitable lunar
       environment with minimal site preparation and its network of tracks
       can be rolled up/reconfigured over time to match evolving lunar base
       mission requirements," said Mr Schaler.
        
       Float robots will have no moving parts and levitate over the track to
       minimise lunar dust abrasion, unlike lunar robots with wheels, legs,
       or tracks.
        
       This rail system could support daily operations of a sustainable lunar
       base as soon as the 2030s, according to Nasa's Jet Propulsion
       Laboratory in Southern California.
        
       John Nelson, NIAC programme executive at Nasa headquarters in
       Washington, said: "These diverse, science fiction-like concepts
       represent a fantastic class of phase two of studies.
        
       "Our NIAC fellows never cease to amaze and inspire and this class
       definitely gives Nasa a lot to think about in terms of what's possible
       in the future."
        
        
        
        
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