Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor - A New Development by NASA | UPSC Notes

Understanding the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

The Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor, or EELS, is a revolutionary robotic platform developed by NASA. Its primary function is to explore terrains that are challenging or impossible for humans to reach, particularly those found on other celestial bodies.

Image courtesy: www-robotics.jpl.nasa.gov

Key Features of the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor

• Primary Objective: The foremost goal of the EELS is to probe into the internal structures of terrains to evaluate their habitability and look for potential signs of life.
• Technical Specifications: The EELS operates on an actuation and propulsion mechanism, powered by electronics that control its movements. It uses a rotating propulsion system and a grasping mechanism, similar to tracks, to navigate confined spaces like plume vent exits.
• Significance: The EELS is designed to adapt to various terrains, including oceanic landscapes, fluidized media environments, complex labyrinths, and liquid surfaces. This versatility allows it to explore environments previously out of reach. By doing so, NASA aims to deepen our understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth.
• Potential Sites for Exploration: The EELS may be used to investigate Enceladus, Saturn's sixth-largest moon, and the polar caps of Mars. Additional sites are also being considered for exploration.

About NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, is the U.S. government agency responsible for space exploration and aeronautics research. Since its establishment in 1958, NASA has been at the forefront of numerous milestones in space exploration, including the historic Apollo program that sent the first human to the moon in 1969.