Mar 17
The ATV is a standard exploration vehicle carried on many starships. It has cramped quarters to house up to 8 crew, a mass of 10 tons, a range of 5000 km between refuelings, and costs CR30,000. (Tom Smith, "The Ship's Locker: ATV," The Journal of the Travellers’ Aid Society 3, 1979)
At first glance the ATV seems designed for hunting Reticulan Parasites, though this article predates the smaller 4-wheeled APC in Aliens by 7 years. It appears to be inspired by several 8-wheeled military vehicles of the 20th century, and maybe a touch of the Landmaster from Zelazny's Damnation Alley.
