Serpent-like robots may one day slither over rocks and wriggle through crevices on Mars, looking for life. According to a space.com news report, NASA engineers are developing "snakebots," robots that undulate, twist, and coil like serpents.
Snakebots could explore Mars and other worlds, winding through rough terrain impassable to rovers and astronauts. They could split into segments, and examine several geologic features simultaneously. The "snakelets" could then reassemble to scale large obstacles that require a longer reach.
The ability to worm into cracks or even burrow into the ground could prove especially important to the search for life. The surface of Mars is drenched in the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, which might kill any organisms on the surface. Any liquid water on the surface quickly evaporates. Fissures, however, might provide shade from the ultraviolet. And liquid water may exist in underground pockets or aquifers.
Snakebot technology might offer excellent reliability. If one segment breaks, it could simply be replaced with another.
Mar 22, 2002 | TECHNOLOGIES
Smart Mars Rovers to Think, Work as Team
(CNN) - NASA researchers have successfully demonstrated multiple rovers that coordinate with each other to grasp, lift , and move long objects, while navigating through obstacles.
Feb 15, 2002 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Taking to the Air on Saturn's Moon Titan
(Space.com) - Smoggy Titan may one day be explored by blimp.
Jan 11, 2002 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Ice Explorer Conceived for Other Worlds Gets Arctic Test
(NASA) - NASA has successfully field-tested a prototype of a robot that may one day melt through ice on Mars or Europa to look for life.
Dec 28, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Ice Melter Could Find Europa's Warm Heart
(Space.com) - A future mission may melt through Europa's ice to look for life in the planet's hidden ocean.
Dec 19, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
All-Terrain Rovers May Scale Mars' Cliffs
(NASA) - The robots may search for signs of past or present life by exploring water seepage or exposed geologic layers
Oct 30, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
NASA Bulldozer Rovers Could Get the Scoop on Mars
(NASA) - Tiny bulldozer rovers may some day dish up the dirt and pack it in on Mars.
Aug 29, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
Brain-Inspired Computing
(NASA) - A new NASA-developed computing device allows machines to work much like the brain.
Aug 01, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Looking for Life at the Poles of Mars
(Space.com) - While most liquid water on Mars may lie deep underground, life might exist close to the surface of the polar ice caps.
Jun 27, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
New Solar-Powered Hyperion Robot Stays in Sync with the Sun
(NASA) - A robotic explorer is designed to follow the Sun in a whole new way.
May 31, 2001 | MISSIONS
What Space Needs: the Human Touch
(Science@NASA) - NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space enterprise tackles the problem of sending humans into space.
May 31, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
Brainy 'Bots
(Science@NASA) - NASA's own 'Bionic Woman' is applying artificial intelligence to teach robots how to behave a little more like human explorers.
May 29, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
AI Software to Command Mission
(NASA) - Spacecraft and robotic explorers that can make their own decisions will be essential for future space exploration.
Apr 16, 2001 | MISSIONS
Contracts awarded for initial Mars sample return studies
(NASA) - A mission to bring Martian soil back to Earth could launch as early as 2011.
Feb 21, 2001 | TECHNOLOGIES
Squaring off with a Robotic Serpent
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - NASA engineers are developing an intelligent robot snake that can slither over or around obstacles and into cracks in a planet's surface. The "snakebot" may one day search for water and fossils on other planets.
Oct 26, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
NASA outlines Mars exploration program for next two decades
(NASA) - Missions will include advanced robotic rovers and the return to Earth of samples of Martian soil.
Sep 14, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
How deep to dig for life on Mars?
(NASA) - NASA researchers have simulated chemical processes in the Martian soil. Their findings will help determine how deep to dig to look for life on Mars.
Sep 04, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Balloons may explore Mars
(space.com) - A new technology may lead to dozens of balloons drifting over the Martian surface.
Aug 10, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
NASA plans to send twin rovers to Mars in 2003
(Spaceflight Now/NASA) - The two rovers will study the history of water on Mars and search for evidence of life.
May 17, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, EDUCATION
Students control a prototype Mars rover
(Science@NASA) - Students from around the country will take control of a prototype Mars rover named FIDO as it explores a Nevada desert.
May 11, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Robotic missions to explore the solar system
(space.com) - Robots may bring back samples from the Moon and the asteroid belt, and may look for life on Europa. Robotic helicopters could explore Mars and Titan.
Jan 18, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Robot to hunt for meteorites
(NY Times [free regis. req'd]) - Nomad, a four-wheeled rover, will use artificial intelligence to identify meteorites in Antarctica.
Jan 10, 2000 | TECHNOLOGIES
Amphibious monster rover for Mars and beyond
(space.com) - A future Mars rover may roll past obstacles on beachball-like tires.
Oct 13, 1999 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Balloons may explore the solar system and the universe
(Scientific American) - New balloon technologies may be employed in planetary probes and space telescopes.
