NASA tests tiny robots for a mission to explore icy moons
The American space agency has completed initial tests of small underwater robots designed to explore extraterrestrial oceans and search for signs of life in the icy shells of Jupiter's or Saturn's moons.
Imagine a swarm of mini robots, each the size of an average smartphone, initially delivered by a probe as it breaks through the frozen shell, swimming through the water beneath the icy crust of one of Jupiter's or Saturn's moons. On reaching these aquatic environments, the robots would explore this new, unknown world in the quest for signs of extraterrestrial life. Does this sound like something out of a science fiction film? It's already underway.
A swarm of small swimming robots may search for life on other planets
NASA engineers recently completed the first tests of a modern exploration mission concept. This mission involves small underwater robots searching for life on other planets and moons. The SWIM project (Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers) envisions mini robots reaching an icy ocean and breaking free to gather data on their chemical and thermal properties.
When the Europa Clipper probe arrives at Jupiter in 2030, it will perform numerous flybys of Europa, Jupiter's moon, using advanced scientific instruments to seek evidence of whether the ocean beneath its icy surface might sustain life. NASA plans for the tested group of miniature, autonomous swimming robots from the SWIM project to participate. These innovative robots, resembling mobile phones, are designed to operate autonomously in environments millions of miles from Earth.
"People might ask, why is NASA developing an underwater robot for space exploration? It’s because there are places we want to go in the solar system to look for life, and we think life needs water. So we need robots that can explore those environments – autonomously, hundreds of millions of miles from home," explained Ethan Schaler from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
According to NASA, the micro-swimmers are designed around the concept of dozens of autonomous robotic units moving through water. After penetrating the icy shell, they would reach sub-surface oceans. These small robots, measuring approximately 42 cm, collect data on chemical and temperature signals that may indicate life in these harsh conditions.
A swarm of swimming robots will also be useful for exploring Earth's oceans
Studies were conducted in a pool at Caltech in Pasadena, California, where the prototypes' manoeuvrability and autonomous operation were tested. A dual-propeller robot equipped with four steering fins explored the pool's surface in a distinctive pattern reminiscent of lawn mower movements.
Computer simulations were conducted in parallel with real-world tests to verify the data collection capabilities of these robots' digital models. These analyses enhanced algorithm development and tested the limits of these devices' potential in unknown research conditions.
Additionally, a support team from Georgia Tech developed an ocean sensor capable of measuring multiple parameters simultaneously. Although these innovative technological solutions will require many more years of work before being employed in space missions, they are already contributing to oceanographic research here on Earth.
