 |
According to a recent report from the British "Daily Mail" website on January 21st, a team of researchers from Stanford University in the U.S. is collaborating with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MIT to develop an innovative small-scale detector known as the "Hedgehog Robot." This robot is designed to explore Phobos, one of Mars' two natural satellites, and will support future human missions to the Red Planet.
The "Hedgehog Robot" measures approximately 0.5 meters in width and is covered in spikes, making it well-suited for navigating the rugged surface of Phobos. In the future, this compact robot will be carried aboard a spacecraft similar in size to a coffee table, which will travel to Phobos. Once there, the spacecraft will orbit the moon for several months, mapping its terrain before releasing the "Hedgehog Robot."
The spacecraft will deploy between five and six "Hedgehog Robots" sequentially, enabling a thorough and detailed investigation of Phobos. Each time a robot is released, the spacecraft will carefully monitor its landing position and trajectory, ensuring accurate deployment and data collection.
Unlike traditional Mars rovers that rely on wheels, the "Hedgehog Robot" uses three internal rotating Frisbees. Each Frisbee is oriented in a different direction, allowing the robot to jump, roll, and move efficiently across Phobos' low-gravity environment. Powered by solar panels mounted on its casing, the robot can gather valuable data about the moon's soil, rocks, and other features, transmitting the information back to Earth.
Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, has long been considered a potential staging point for future human exploration of Mars. Some scientists believe that Phobos may have originated from Mars itself, meaning that studying it could provide important insights into the planet's geological history. This research could significantly reduce the costs and challenges associated with direct Mars exploration, making it a crucial step in humanity's journey to the Red Planet.
Electric Ball Valve,V-Type Ball Valve,Switch Ball Valve,Electric O-Shaped Ball Valve
CEPAI Group Co., Ltd. , https://www.jscepai.com