NASA scientists have built a 200-pound, 16-foot-long snake robot that could make important discoveries about life on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Photo: Courtesy of New Atlas
Pasadena, California: Elements essential for life have been discovered in the subsurface waters of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Now, to conquer it further, NASA experts have created snake-like crawling robots.
Among Saturn’s 83 moons, elements important for life have already been found before Enceladus. Beneath its icy crust is a vast ocean that may contain vital elements or molecules for life. That’s why NASA has created a 16-foot-long robotic snake to further conquer it.
The snake has been named the Exabiology Extended Life Surveyor (EELS). The EELS is in the final stages of development and has a total weight of around 200 lbs. It is designed to land along the surface and cracks of the Moon, as well as into the liquid ocean below. There are many pieces (units) put into its design. They are called rotating propulsion units. Thus they can travel easily both on land and water.
EELS has 3D mapping and video creation facility. Currently, this robot is being tested in different environments.
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