NASA has started the first tests to develop prototypes of futuristic robotic submarines as part of the SWIM (Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers) project. These drones could one day be sent to moons of the Solar System, such as Jupiter's satellite Europa, to explore hidden oceans in search of traces of life.
In the Caltech pool in Pasadena, a team of researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), led by Ethan Schaler, tested the first drones designed for this mission. The SWIM project aims to develop swarms of small autonomous robots capable of moving underwater and detecting chemical or thermal signals, possible clues to the presence of life.
The hidden oceans of Europa
According to scientists, some moons in the Solar System, such as Europa, may harbour vast oceans of liquid water beneath a thick crust of ice. Europa's ocean is estimated to contain twice as much water as Earth's, making it one of the most promising environments for the search for extraterrestrial life.
The long-term goal is to send a space mission capable of drilling through Europa's ice sheet and releasing submarine drones to explore the hidden ocean.
Technological challenges
Although such a mission is still a long way off, researchers at JPL are working to overcome the complex technological challenges involved in making robots capable of operating in extreme environments and communicating with each other underwater.
“Underwater robots are incredibly difficult to design,” explained Ethan Schaler, “and this is just the first step in a long series of projects needed to prepare us for a journey to an ocean world.”
From pool tests to space simulations
In addition to the pool tests, the team carried out computer simulations to assess the robots' capabilities in conditions of pressure and temperature similar to those that would be found on Europa. These experiments are crucial to ensure that the drones are ready to face the extreme environment of the frozen satellite.
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