Prototype of China’s manned moon rover debuts  

China's self-developed manned moon rover made its first appearance at the 11th China Chongqing Hi-tech Fair on Thursday. The rover is big enough to hold two astronauts, and can carry several tools. (Photo source: Chongqing Morning Post)

(ECNS) -- China's self-developed manned moon rover made its first appearance at the 11th China Chongqing Hi-tech Fair on Thursday.

The vehicle has been developed by a research team of experts from 27 Chinese key universities.

With a size similar to that of a sport-utility vehicle, the rover looks like little more than iron frames and wheels.

"In fact, these frames are made of hi-tech materials which are light and unbreakable. The rover is big enough to hold two astronauts, and can carry several tools," said Zhan Hanqing, one of the designers of the rover and a professor at Chongqing University, the major institute responsible for the project.

With a collapsible design, the rover can be folded and placed inside a manned rocket.

"The rover is just a prototype, and it's design and development has yet to be finished," said Zhan.

As an item on display, the rover features dummy wheels made of plastic foam.

"The real wheels and some other parts of the vehicle will not be shown at the fair, because we want to keep them confidential," Zhan added.

With a linked suspension system, the new vehicle has sound adjustability that can help it move smoothly on the lunar surface.

Research for the vehicle started in 2013, and its conceptual development is expected to be finished in 2015.