Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: NASA
Context: NASA is developing a snake-like robot – EELS – which is capable of assessing evidence for life on extreme terrain and outer planets.
| About | Details |
| Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) | |
| Purpose | Designed to explore internal and enclosed terrain structures to assess evidence for life |
| Focus | It will help in finding life on the Enceladus (6th largest moon on the Saturn), Martian polar caps, descending crevasses in Earth’s ice sheets |
| Propulsion and gripping mechanism | EELS robot has an actuation and propulsion mechanism driven by power and communication electronics. It uses a rotating propulsion unit that acts as tracks, while the gripping mechanism and propeller unit help it to access a plume vent exit |
| Adaptability | The robot’s adaptability to various terrains and its unique features makes it capable of exploring areas that were once inaccessible |
| About Enceladus | Enceladus is about 500 kilometres in diameter and is mostly covered by fresh, clean ice, making it one of the most reflective bodies of the Solar System. Also, Enceladus now appears to meet all of the criteria for a habitable ocean. |
