Enceladus, the frozen moon of Saturn, is considered one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life due to its liquid oceans beneath its icy surface. However, exploring this inaccessible world presents a significant challenge. NASA scientists have responded to this challenge by developing a unique robot called EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) to explore the uncharted depths of Enceladus.
EELS has been designed with advanced technology that enables it to navigate through narrow spaces and descend vertically into the unknown. The robot is equipped with cameras, sensors, and a laser-based mapping system that allows it to make independent decisions without human interaction. With 48 motors and toothed wheels for traction, EELS has been tested in environments resembling what it would encounter on Enceladus, such as the Athabasca Glacier in Canada.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), collaborating with universities like Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California, San Diego, has been working on EELS since 2019. The robot’s versatility and design were inspired by the need to traverse challenging terrain on other celestial bodies such as caves on the Moon.
NASA plans to send EELS to Saturn via spacecraft in the future. This journey could take approximately twelve years. The robot’s engineers are excited about exploring new frontiers in autonomous exploration and discovering extraterrestrial life on Enceladus.
EELS represents a new chapter in space exploration and will pave the way for future missions beyond our solar system.