NASA's Europa Clipper mission, set to reach Jupiter's orbit in six years, aims to conduct 49 flybys of its icy moon, Europa, searching for water. Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, the spacecraft is complemented by a new project called SWIM, which focuses on developing autonomous underwater robots.
The SWIM project envisions deploying a dozen underwater robots capable of exploring the hypothesized ocean beneath Europa's 25-kilometer-thick ice shell. Once submerged, these robots will search for chemical and thermal signals indicative of potential life.
Recently, engineers tested prototypes in a 23-meter competition pool at the California Institute of Technology. One prototype, powered by two propellers with four control flaps, demonstrated autonomous maneuvering and course correction capabilities. Remarkably, it even spelled “J-P-L” during the tests.
This prototype measures 42 centimeters in length and weighs 3.2 kilograms, though the final design is intended to be palm-sized. To function effectively, the robots will feature a new wireless communication system adapted for underwater use, enabling data transmission and position triangulation.
In addition to pool tests, the team conducted computer simulations replicating the pressure and gravity conditions expected on Europa. These simulations helped assess the robot's ability to gather scientific data in unknown environments and led to the development of new algorithms for more efficient underwater exploration.
A team from the Georgia Institute of Technology is also working on enhancing the robot's capabilities by creating a specialized instrument tailored to measure various water properties. This instrument incorporates sensors on a chip just a few millimeters square, allowing for measurements of temperature, pressure, acidity, conductivity, and chemical composition.
Despite promising results from the prototype's features and instruments, a fully functional robot ready for Europa's icy environment remains a work in progress. Meanwhile, the robot's development will continue on Earth, contributing to oceanographic research and aiding measurements beneath polar ice.