Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: Rick on May 11, 2023, 10:43:58

Title: NASA tests bot built to slither across, and beneath, alien worlds' ice
Post by: Rick on May 11, 2023, 10:43:58
NASA tests bot built to slither across, and beneath, alien worlds' ice

JPL's Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor, aka EELS, is an autonomous rover built by connecting articulated segments outfitted with corkscrews that give it the ability to "slither" across sand, snow, and ice. Archimedes would perhaps be astounded to learn that his screw is going out of this world.

"It has the capability to go to locations where other robots can't go. Though some robots are better at one particular type of terrain or other, the idea for EELS is the ability to do it all," said JPL's Matthew Robinson, EELS project manager.

More: https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/11/nasa_eels_robot/