When the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) needed a concept vehicle to educate the public on manned Mars exploration missions in the 2030s, they did not choose a typical military contractor. Instead, they collaborated with the creative builders at Parker Brothers Customs. This spectacular collaboration resulted in a full-scale Mars Rover concept that looks like an interplanetary vehicle ready to explore the harsh red sands of Mars.
Building this Mars Rover concept required the Parker Brothers team to think beyond Earth technologies. The vehicle was designed with massive dimensions: 8.5 meters long, 4.3 meters wide, and 3.4 meters high. One of the most impressive innovations lay in its massive 1.3-meter wheels, custom-made from composites with an open airless lattice design to roll over sharp rocks and Mars sand without the risk of punctures.
Inside its simulated airtight cabin, the vehicle features a research lab mockup, communication array, and digital touchscreen controls. The body is clad in lightweight steel armor with geometric angles. This prestigious Mars Rover project was exhibited at various science centers worldwide, serving as proof that the high-level custom fabrication skills of the chopper industry can be applied to design space exploration vehicles.
