NASA introduces robots that will swim in oceans of moons of Jupiter
Image of underwater robots captured from the video. (Courtesy: NASA) Photograph:( Others )
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Currently, NASA is testing the underwater robots in pools and planning to send to the moons of Jupiter to make new discoveries
Currently, NASA is testing the underwater robots in pools and planning to send to the moons of Jupiter to make new discoveries
The futuristic kind of robots have been unveiled by NASA which will look into the mysteries of the underwater worlds of the moons of Jupiter like Europa and Saturn's Enceladus.
The concept, which has been built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is called Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers (SWIM) and can prove revolutionary in the investigation of the icy worlds' subsurface oceans.
The robot is being tested in a pool and it weighs more than two kilograms and measures nearly 16.5 inches.
NASA said that their plan is to deliver various such tiny self-propelled robots which are three times smaller in comparison to the existing autonomous underwater vehicles and look for temperature and chemical signals which can point to life.
Exploring alien oceans with tiny robots? These prototypes could pave the way for such a reality!
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) November 20, 2024
A futuristic mission concept – called SWIM – envisions a swarm of cellphone-size robots that could explore the oceans beneath icy moons' shells. Learn more: https://t.co/oSqwn6y14J pic.twitter.com/QQyB1aTOEr
The communication and GPS systems will be equipped in these robots for navigating underwater along with instruments which will investigate the chemicals in the oceans.
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The video has been shared by JPL from the tests of the prototypes which showed that the concept can work. It is just a concept currently and needs funding and approval for development.
Missions to Jupiter's moons
Scientists have been intrigued by the moons of the outer solar system planets after they found hints of hidden oceans in moons like Europa, Enceladus, Titan and Ariel and links of water on moons being suitable for life.
NASA and ESA have been motivated by these possibilities and hence have launched their missions to the moons of Jupiter this year.
In April, ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft took off to investigate Europa, Callisto and Ganymede.
This was followed by the Europa Clipper probe of NASA which will study the moon closely.
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In the early 2030s, both missions will get started when the spacecraft lands at their destination.
Another mission has been planned by NASA for studying Saturn's moon Titan which is also likely to have a subsurface ocean.
The Dragonfly mission will have a drone flying over the planet and finding the traces of 'prebiotic' conditions which may have led to the emergence of life in our solar system.
(With inputs from agencies)
