Exploring Ocean Worlds with NASA Robots

The search for life beyond Earth needs robots. But to explore distant ocean worlds like Europa, we’ll need a new set of tools to drill through ice, reach faraway samples and cross difficult terrain. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory recently finished a series of prototypes that might make that exploration a little easier.

[Rigel]

Hurry up! We need to be there yesterday. It's gonna be so cool seeing video from a robot rover tooling around Europa.

[TheStockwell]

I'm in no position to tell NASA what to do but, I have to tell you: if you don't send robots with this music, you'll be making an epic mistake. If we encounter advanced civilizations it's important to let them know we know how to rock. The part about them knowing we come in peace is of secondary importance.

Sure, we COULD send unmanned probes with Bach's Suites for Solo Cello and his B-minor Mass, but why not go out into the universe with Queen's greatest hits? First impressions count!

[MrBranboom]

Now that the shuttle isn't eating a billion $ per launch NASA sure is turning out tons of cool stuff! Go NASA, Go SpaceX!

[Grinsekatze]

fiiiinaly! so where do u attach the fishing rod? ;)

[thecrystalcrystals]

Are you going to do something like you did with the Curiosity mission with the sky-crane process? Or is it going to be an orbiter that deploys a robot that lands via rockets?

[piranha]

Will any of these be part of the Europa lander? Or are they meant for later on?

[shavono]

YEA BOI WE GOIN TO SPACE WITH ROBOTS TO FIND LIFE MAYBE SORTA I LOVE NASA

[atharvap]

seems like theh need a lot of energy, how do/will you deal with the energy needs of thease big tools?

[walperstyle]

Note: NASA, I worked with drilling fluids and formulas in the Oil and Gas industry. If you plan on drilling 'miles' into the earth, you need to consider wellbore stability. When you get to warmer temperatures, or different formations of 'rock', you will run risk of the wellbore collapsing in and trapping your expensive tools down hole. ...pay for my mechanical engineering classes and I'll come work for you. I've got 10 years in the field already. Going back to school.

[walperstyle]

I want to build stuff like this. Can you share your code online?

[aronrex]

Why does the music sound like the one in the intro of GrandTour?

[SongZee]

Wouldn't a chemical reaction that produces heat be more energy efficient than mechanical drilling?

[atharvap]

does nasa accept submissions from people for such projects?

[Papyruski]

Ever read Armada? Thats where were headed

[lightningsparx]

I really hope I'm still alive when this happens... but I doubt it and I'm only in my 30s

[MariaGarcia]

Supposing they do have water, the likelihood of discovering life would be remote and consist of very simple and primitive organisms like cold/heat hardy bacteria. Location, location... Earth is just at that perfect place in our solar system.

[ashvinramgoolam]

to discover and understand other we must first discover and understand our worlds (like the ocean)

[flashcarpzombielovershaftb]

Still searching for unintelligent lifeforms lol

[verioffkin]

These insectoid robots are just a waste of money. Microrobots with low power consumption, less functions, rather passive than mobile, dozens and dozens of them sended to other planet might play a better role. At least at this stage.