Space Travel News  
Robot Watchdog To Sniff Out Radiation

-
by Staff Writers
Canberra, Australia (SPX) Apr 02, 2008
Australian scientists have developed a prototype remote-controlled robotic vehicle to detect radiation, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon. Warren Snowdon, has announced. "This is a significant leap forward for Australia's defence and national security agencies," Mr Snowdon said. "It will greatly enhance our ability to respond to radioactive incidents."

The concept vehicle, known as RASP, for Remote Advanced Sensor Platform, was developed jointly by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

It's small and light and can be operated from distances of up to 350 metres with full control of the robot.

"It could be deployed in almost any area or location, from aircraft to cargo containers," said Mr Snowdon.

"For the first time, we will also be able to provide our national security agencies with the ability to remotely identify the nature of the radioactive sources.

"Emergency officers who detect the presence of radiation with their handheld instruments would be able to send in RASP and quickly discover if it has a half-life of several days or fifty thousand years."

Related Links
The Long War - Doctrine and Application



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Analysis: Experts assess terror threats

Expert assessments of the biggest terrorist threats to the United States differ slightly, but they all emphasize the need to be ready and combat complacency.







  • SpaceX Conducts First Three-Engine Firing Of Falcon 9 Rocket
  • European Space Truck Jules Verne In Parking Orbit
  • New Purdue Facility Aims To Improve NASA Moon Rocket Engine
  • Space X Falcon 9 Facing More Delays As Shuttle Replacement Looms

  • Zenit Rocket To Orbit Israeli Satellite In Late April
  • Successful Qualification Firing Test For Zefiro 23
  • German military satellite launched by Russia: report
  • Russian Rockot Launch Vehicle To Orbit European GOCE Satellite

  • NASA reschedules shuttle launch date
  • Shuttle Endeavour returns after record-setting mission to ISS
  • Endeavour Crew Prepares For Landing
  • Shuttle Endeavour's landing delayed at Cape Canaveral

  • European space freighter in dress rehearsal for ISS hookup
  • Crew Conducts Science, Preps For Jules Verne Docking
  • New ISS Crew To Conduct 47 Experiments At Space Station
  • South Korean Equipment Allowed To Be Used In Space Research

  • Japan recruits astronauts for first time in decade
  • Environmental Tectonics' NASTAR Center Sends Ninety-Six Space Cruise Participants To Space
  • Spaceport Sweden And Virgin Galactic Progress Plans For Space Journeys
  • Minister Jim Prentice Announces New Astronaut Search For Canada

  • China's space development can pose military threat: Japan
  • Cassini Tastes Organic Material At Saturn's Geyser Moon
  • China Approves Second-Phase Lunar Probe Program
  • Brazil To Deepen Space Cooperation With China

  • Toshiba robot can do the job of the remote control
  • Jules Verne Set For Next Step On Road To Automated Station Docking
  • High-Schoolers Go Into Overdrive At FIRST Robotics Competition
  • In Japan, robot babysitter always ready to play

  • For The Paper Trail Of Life On Mars Or Other Planets, Find Cellulose
  • Mars Robotic Rover Opportunity Finds More Evidence Of Ancient Water
  • Spirit Begins Preparing For Another Winter Hibernation
  • Wataire's Water-From-Air Units Get Thumbs Up In Mars Mission Simulation

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement