<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is onto something out of the world, quite literally. It is currently undertaking the task of developing a snake-like robot which is said to explore internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures, assess habitability and ultimately search for evidence of life. </p>.<p>The mobile instrument platform named Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) is being designed in such a way that it is adaptable to traverse different terrains. The system sheds special focus on one of the moons of Saturn, Enceladus, which was discovered in 1789.</p>.<p>This small icy body has been dubbed as one of the solar system’s ‘most scientifically interesting destination’ by the Cassini spacecraft. Cassini data reveals that Enceladus has a liquid ocean under its icy crust. It is also highly reflecting and has a surface temperature of about -201 degrees Celsius. However, scientists opine that it is not as cold and inactive as thought.</p>.<p>Enceladus will give much headway to NASA in its search for life due to its global ocean and internal heat. The spacecraft has found that geyser-like jets spew water vapour and ice particles from an underground ocean beneath its icy crust. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/awe-inspiring-nasas-time-lapse-video-of-earth-from-outer-space-mesmerizes-all-1212217.html" target="_blank">'Awe-inspiring': NASA's time-lapse video of Earth from outer space mesmerizes all</a></strong></p>.<p>It is learnt that besides Enceladus, the EELS system is equipped to explore martial polar caps and descending crevasses in the Earth’s ice sheets. </p>.<p>The EELS, driven by power and communication electronics, resembles a snake and should work like a self-propelled robot made of multiple, identical, segments containing both the actuation and propulsion mechanisms. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/space-based-nasa-instrument-to-track-pollution-over-north-america-1207487.html" target="_blank">Space-based NASA instrument to track pollution over North America</a></strong></p>.<p>The system uses rotating propulsion units that act as tracks, gripping mechanisms and propeller units underwater, enabling it to access a plume vent exit and follow it to its ocean source, which makes it helpful in exploring previously unexplored areas. </p>.<p>NASA has also released an illustration of the EELS system. <br /> </p>
<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is onto something out of the world, quite literally. It is currently undertaking the task of developing a snake-like robot which is said to explore internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures, assess habitability and ultimately search for evidence of life. </p>.<p>The mobile instrument platform named Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) is being designed in such a way that it is adaptable to traverse different terrains. The system sheds special focus on one of the moons of Saturn, Enceladus, which was discovered in 1789.</p>.<p>This small icy body has been dubbed as one of the solar system’s ‘most scientifically interesting destination’ by the Cassini spacecraft. Cassini data reveals that Enceladus has a liquid ocean under its icy crust. It is also highly reflecting and has a surface temperature of about -201 degrees Celsius. However, scientists opine that it is not as cold and inactive as thought.</p>.<p>Enceladus will give much headway to NASA in its search for life due to its global ocean and internal heat. The spacecraft has found that geyser-like jets spew water vapour and ice particles from an underground ocean beneath its icy crust. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/awe-inspiring-nasas-time-lapse-video-of-earth-from-outer-space-mesmerizes-all-1212217.html" target="_blank">'Awe-inspiring': NASA's time-lapse video of Earth from outer space mesmerizes all</a></strong></p>.<p>It is learnt that besides Enceladus, the EELS system is equipped to explore martial polar caps and descending crevasses in the Earth’s ice sheets. </p>.<p>The EELS, driven by power and communication electronics, resembles a snake and should work like a self-propelled robot made of multiple, identical, segments containing both the actuation and propulsion mechanisms. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/space-based-nasa-instrument-to-track-pollution-over-north-america-1207487.html" target="_blank">Space-based NASA instrument to track pollution over North America</a></strong></p>.<p>The system uses rotating propulsion units that act as tracks, gripping mechanisms and propeller units underwater, enabling it to access a plume vent exit and follow it to its ocean source, which makes it helpful in exploring previously unexplored areas. </p>.<p>NASA has also released an illustration of the EELS system. <br /> </p>