NASA is testing a snake robot to study Saturn’s icy oceans. At the moment, the study is still at an early stage. At the moment, NASA is carrying out tests in terrestrial areas to simulate a possible trip to Saturn.
According to Tech Crunch, this robot format has existed for some time. The same source states that there are some interesting attributes in the device. The first is the fact that it remains operational even when damaged. The second is the fact that it is slim and can explore tight spaces.
The last characteristic mentioned means that this type of robots can be useful in rescue situations, for example.
Through Cassini flights, NASA discovered evidence of a wealth of water on Saturn. This makes science consider the possibility of life on this planet.
The robot is being prepared to operate in the oceans below the lunar crust
As Tech Crunch says, the robot’s objective is to explore the oceans below the lunar crust. In the words of the team, cited by Science Robotics, “it was designed to be adaptable to traverse terrains inspired by the oceanic world, fluidized environments, closed labyrinthine environments and liquids”.
Scientists want to reach Saturn’s moon Enceladus. It is expected that, there, the snake robot called Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) will be able to slide through narrow geysers and swim in a large expanse of ocean. It is estimated that this could be close to 10 kilometers deep at the south pole (via Tech Crunch).
According to the study team, EELS “is equipped with risk-aware planning, situational awareness, movement planning and proprioceptive control to allow it to move autonomously away from Earth.”
NASA says it weighs around 100 kilos and measures around 4.4 meters.
