NASA Develops Miniature Robots for Ocean World Exploration

NASA is advancing autonomous technologies for robotic missions to ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus, focusing on AI-driven autonomy due to communication delays and harsh environments. Through programs like OWLAT and OceanWATERS, NASA has developed testbeds to simulate lander operations, enabling research teams to create autonomy solutions for future missions. These efforts, supported by the ARROW and COLDTech programs, have resulted in software and technologies that enhance the ability of landers to operate independently, addressing challenges such as sample collection and fault management.