NASA tests robotic snake EELS to explore other planets and satellites

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has tested a robotic snake. The vehicle is called the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor or simply EELS.

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The robot is designed to explore hard-to-reach parts of our planet, as well as the Moon and Enceladus, Saturn's satellite. NASA also wants to use EELS to explore other planets in the solar system.

EELS is able to conduct environmental identification, assess risks and navigate without human intervention. The robotic snake can also collect data with the help of installed sensors. However, NASA experts have not yet decided on the final set of sensors for the final version of the apparatus. In the event of an abnormal situation, the robot will be able to return to operational status on its own.

Development of the snake began in 2019. Since then, experts have been continuously refining the design of the robot. EELS can have different configurations depending on the type of mission. For example, the robot is equipped with plastic propellers to work in snow, while metal propellers are provided for ice.

EELS is currently available in version v1.0, which is about 4 metres long and weighs 100 kg. The space agency does not yet know in which missions the robotic snake-like vehicle will be used.

Source: JPL