International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

NASA develops Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: EELS Mission

Mains level: NA

eels

NASA is developing a snake-like robot- Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), which it says can boost space exploration through its diverse adaptability to various terrains.

Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

Details
Purpose Designed to explore internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures to assess evidence for life.
Focus To explore ocean-world-inspired terrain, and besides Enceladus, it can explore Martian polar caps and descending crevasses in Earth’s ice sheets.
Enceladus and EELS system Enceladus is a small and icy body, and the Cassini spacecraft dubbed it to be one of the most scientifically interesting destinations in the solar system.
Scientific investigations Work is underway to identify high-priority and high-impact scientific investigations to show the capabilities of the snake-like robot.

 

Features of EELS Robot

Details
Propulsion and gripping mechanism EELS robot has an actuation and propulsion mechanism, driven by power and communication electronics.

It uses a rotating propulsion unit that acts as tracks, while the gripping mechanism and propeller unit help it to access a plume vent exit.

Adaptability The robot’s adaptability to various terrains and its unique features make it capable of exploring areas that were once inaccessible.
Enceladus Geyser-like jets spew water vapor and ice particles from an underground ocean beneath Enceladus’s icy crust, making it a promising lead for NASA in its search for life.

 

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