NASA is developing tiny “swimming” robots to search for life forms on other planets

NASA scientists and researchers are working to develop new types of robots that can search for life on other planets in outer space, and the idea of ​​a smartphone-sized robot that could swim in sea ice to find evidence of life has been given a lot. . Part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Check out the details below!

NASA robot development for swimming!

NASA, via file official press release, He announced that they planned to develop a swarm of tiny swimming robots that would be able to penetrate the frozen crust of the sea ice and dig deeper to find life forms on distant planets. these robots, Nicknamed swimming (sensing with young independent swimmers)inside narrow ice melting probes that allow them to melt the ice crust in frozen bodies of water to go deeper in search of life forms.

Each of these robots will have its own propulsion system, on-board computing system and ultrasonic communication system. There will also be Simple sensors for temperature, salinity, acidity and pressure. Furthermore, it is said to carry relevant chemical sensors to monitor biomarkers (signs of life) on other planets.

The basic idea for the SWIM robot was developed by a NASA robotics engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ethan Schaller. The concept was awarded $125,000 in funding in 2021 as part of NASA’s Phase 1 funding under the NIAC program to study the design and feasibility of these robots. Currently, Awarded US$600,000 under NIAC Phase II fundingDan This will allow the team to develop and test a 3D model of the SWIM robot over the next two years.

“My idea is, where can we take mini robots and apply them to exciting new ways to explore our solar system? With a swarm of tiny swimming robots, we were able to explore a much larger volume of ocean water and improve our measurements by having multiple robots collect data in the same area.” Schaller said in a statement.

In the future, NASA plans to deploy a wedge-shaped SWIM robot, which is about 5 inches long and 3-5 cubic inches in size, on the Europa Clipper mission scheduled for 2024. SWIM robots can also “flow” together to collect relevant data ( ideas inspired by fish or birds), the margin of error will be minimal.

So, what do you think of NASA’s new swimming robot? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more interesting stories.

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