[Reading Science] 'Kkumteul-i' Searching for Extraterrestrial Life... Development of Eel Robot

US NASA Unveils Prototype on 8th
Developing for Saturn's 'Enceladus' Moon Exploration
Capable of Exploring Ice Fissures, Caves, and More

The discovery of water and organic materials is a sign of hope for scientists searching for extraterrestrial life. However, if the surface is frozen solid, exploration becomes difficult. While wheels or caterpillars can traverse the desert or rocky surface of Mars, they become uncontrollable on smooth ice, glaciers, or inside caves. To solve this problem, scientists at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have attracted attention by creating an eel-shaped exploration robot that can move freely even on ice and in narrow crevices.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) released a prototype and a video of the operation of this "eel robot" on its official website on the 8th. Named the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), this robot has a slender, elongated body like a snake, with edges designed similarly to rotating screw blades. Multiple joints are installed along the body, allowing it to twist and change direction. The rotating blades on the edges enable it to move forward even on ice or snow. At the very front, there is a head equipped with a camera resembling a snake's eyes, which can be raised or freely directed. The joints can bend, enabling the robot to explore various degrees of vertical and horizontal curves, as well as narrow caves and rock crevices.

NASA is developing this robot to explore Enceladus, one of the few places in the solar system where water has been found and where the probability of life is considered high. In 2005, NASA's Cassini spacecraft discovered geysers ejecting water ice particles from "tiger stripe" fractures near Enceladus's south pole. These water plumes contained hydrogen molecules (H2), methane (CH4), and various carbon-containing organic compounds emitted by Earth's organic life forms.

Matthew Robinson, JPL's project manager, explained, "It can explore areas where other robots cannot go," adding, "While there are robots specialized for specific terrain exploration, EELS was developed with the idea of equipping it with the ability to explore all types of terrain and features."

The EELS currently being tested by the research team consists of 10 rotating segments, with the body made from two types of screws: a 20cm plastic one for general use and a metal one designed to gain propulsion on ice. It weighs about 100kg and is approximately 4 meters long. So far, it has undergone tests in various environments, including ice rinks and sand terrains modeled after Mars.

NASA plans to equip the eel robot's head with cameras and Lidar (laser distance measurement and imaging technology) devices to enable three-dimensional (3D) recognition of the surrounding environment. The JPL research team has even conducted experiments by deploying the EELS prototype into glacier crevices similar to Enceladus's environment. Given that radio communication between Earth and Saturn takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the robot will also be equipped with full autonomous driving capabilities. Ultimately, the plan is to increase its size to include up to 45 joints and equip it with various sensors and scientific instruments.

Meanwhile, this eel robot is also expected to be highly useful for investigating Earth's glaciers and caves, as well as exploring other extraterrestrial planets such as the Moon and Mars.