Autonomous robots rappel into lunar caves to test exploration techniques
Scientists have now tested whether autonomous robots can handle the task in a real-world setting.
The trials took place inside a lava cave on Lanzarote, a volcanic island in Spain's Canary Islands. The location was chosen because it closely resembles the underground structures found on Mars and the moon.
Underground shelters in space
Lava tubes form when flowing lava solidifies on the surface while molten rock continues moving below. Once the flow stops, long hollow tunnels remain. These structures exist on Earth and have been detected on Mars and the moon.
Researchers believe they could protect astronauts from harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, radiation, and meteorite strikes. They might even host microbial life.
Human exploration of these caves is dangerous and costly. Robots offer a safer, cheaper way forward.
"A heterogeneous cooperative robot team is a promising approach to address the access and exploration of extraterrestrial lava caves," wrote the researchers in Science Robotics.
Robots in the cave
The field trials lasted 21 days and unfolded in four stages. First, two rovers scanned and mapped the terrain around the cave entrance.
They then used one rover to launch a sensor-packed cube into the opening. This payload created a detailed 3D model of the entrance area.
The toughest phase involved both robots working in sync. The smaller rover attached itself to the larger one for a rappel down the cave wall.
Once inside, it detached and drove deeper into the tunnel. It managed to travel 235 meters while building a 3D map of the route.
These experiments showed that robots could carry out coordinated missions in complex underground spaces. They also proved that 3D mapping is possible in dark, enclosed environments.
Hurdles before space missions
The Lanzarote tests highlighted technical challenges. Moisture in the cave reduced the accuracy of the ground-penetrating radar.
Some mapping sensors experienced interference, and the lack of ground-truth data limited verification.
Autonomous navigation also remains a major hurdle. In a real Mars or moon mission, robots would need to operate without human guidance for extended periods.
That requires more advanced algorithms and reliable communication between units.
Despite the obstacles, the research points toward a future where robotic scouts prepare sites for human bases beyond Earth.
Such missions could identify the safest and most suitable locations for long-term stays.
The same technology could also support the search for life. If microbial life exists in protected underground environments, these robots could help find it.
The findings move scientists closer to answering one of humanity's oldest questions, whether we are alone in the solar system.
The study is published in the journal Science Robotics.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scientists develop tree-inspired tech that can pull drinking water straight from the sea: 'A … solution to the emerging water crisis'
Scientists develop tree-inspired tech that can pull drinking water straight from the sea: 'A … solution to the emerging water crisis' The world's growing population, changing climate, and issues with pollution have made getting fresh, drinkable water more difficult and costly than ever. Over 4 billion people globally are affected by a lack of access to potable water. However, researchers from the University of Waterloo have come up with a more efficient way to turn salt water into fresh water. A new type of desalination device could make fresh water both more accessible and more affordable. "Our inspiration comes from observing how nature sustains itself and the way water evaporates and condenses in the environment," said Dr. Michael Tam, a professor from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Waterloo. "The system we've engineered induces water to evaporate, transports it to the surface, and condenses it in a closed cycle, effectively preventing the accumulation of salt that reduces the efficiency of the device." Most desalination devices use a membrane to separate the salt from the water. This is effective, but salt collects on the membrane, so over time, less water is able to travel through it. It has to be cleaned off frequently to keep it working at peak efficiency. By contrast, the research team at Waterloo created nickel foam and coated it with a conductive polymer and pollen particles that respond to heat. It draws up a thin layer of seawater with an action similar to that of a tree's capillaries, separates the water from the salt, and cycles the salt back down into the mixture. All of this is purely powered by solar energy, which is generated by the material that the researchers created. It is able to harvest solar energy with about 93% efficiency. Dr. Yuning Li, another Waterloo professor who helped the team measure the efficiency of their device, told Waterloo News, "This new device is not only efficient but also portable, making it ideal for use in remote regions where access to fresh water is limited. This technology offers a sustainable solution to the emerging water crisis." Where do you get most of your drinking water from? Straight from the tap Out of a filter Bottled water Cans of sparkling water Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
San Andreas fault could unleash an earthquake unlike any seen before, study of deadly Myanmar quake suggests
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Faults like San Andreas don't necessarily repeat past behavior, which means the next big earthquake in California has the potential to be larger than any seen before, a new study suggests. The fresh insights into fault behavior came from studying Myanmar's devastating March earthquake, which killed more than 5,000 people and caused widespread destruction. Scientists found that the fault responsible, an "earthquake superhighway" known as the Sagaing Fault, ruptured across a larger area, and in places that they wouldn't have expected based on previous events. Faults are fractures in Earth's crust. Stress can build up along the faults until eventually the fault suddenly ruptures, causing an earthquake. As the Sagaing and San Andreas faults are similar, what happened in Myanmar could help researchers better understand what might happen in California. "The study shows that future earthquakes might not simply repeat past known earthquakes," study co-author Jean-Philippe Avouac, a professor of geology and mechanical and civil engineering at Caltech, said in a statement. "Successive ruptures of a given fault, even as simple as the Sagaing or the San Andreas faults, can be very different and can release even more than the deficit of slip since the last event." Related: Almost half of California's faults — including San Andreas — are overdue for earthquakes The San Andreas Fault is the longest fault in California, stretching about 746 miles (1,200 kilometers) from the state's south at the Salton Sea to its north off the coast of Mendocino. In 1906, a rupture in the northern section of the fault caused a devastating magnitude 7.9 earthquake that killed more than 3,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Earthquakes are notoriously unpredictable, but geologists have long warned that the San Andreas Fault will produce another massive earthquake at some point. For instance, the area nearest to Los Angeles has a 60% chance of experiencing a magnitude 6.7 or greater in the next 30 years, according to the USGS. The 870-mile-long (1,400 km) Sagaing Fault is similar to the San Andreas Fault in that they are both long, straight, strike-slip faults, which means the rocks slide horizontally with little or no vertical movement. Geologists were expecting the Sagaing Fault to slip somewhere along its extent. Specifically, they thought that the rupture would take place across a 190-mile-long (300 km) section of the fault where no large earthquakes had occurred since 1839. This expectation was based on the seismic gap hypothesis, which anticipates that a stuck section of a fault — where there hasn't been movement for a long time — will slip to catch up to where it was, according to the statement. RELATED STORIES —First-of-its-kind video captures the terrifying moment the ground tore apart during major Myanmar earthquake —Russia earthquake: Magnitude 8.8 megaquake hits Kamchatka, generating tsunamis across the Pacific —'Sleeping giant' fault beneath Canada could unleash a major earthquake, research suggests However, in the case of Sagaing, the slip occurred along more than 310 miles (500 km) of the fault, meaning that it caught up and then some. The researchers used a special technique to correlate satellite imagery before and after the event. Those images revealed that after the earthquake, the eastern side of the fault moved south by about 10 feet (3 m) relative to the western side. The scientists say that the imaging technique they used could help improve future earthquake models. "This earthquake turned out to be an ideal case to apply image correlation methods [techniques to compare images before and after a geological event] that were developed by our research group," study first author Solène Antoine, a geology postdoctoral scholar at Caltech, said in the statement. "They allow us to measure ground displacements at the fault, where the alternative method, radar interferometry, is blind due to phenomenon like decorrelation [a process to decouple signals] and limited sensitivity to north–south displacements."
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Associated Press
PACR Announces New Social Network for the Academic World
PACR introduces a new social network for academics, offering tools for collaboration, access to over 500 million research articles, and AI-driven insights for researchers. Global, August 17, 2025 -- Redefining Academic Collaboration PACR, the innovative social networking platform for researchers and academics, is revolutionizing how the global academic community connects, collaborates, and engages with research. With access to over 500 million academic articles, PACR creates a dynamic ecosystem where researchers can engage with their work, connect with peers, and contribute to the advancement of science. Unlike traditional academic platforms, PACR offers more than just a repository for papers. It provides real-time analytics, AI-powered tools, and collaborative spaces that allow users to track global rankings, connect with mentors, and participate in anonymous forums for open discussions. PACR is built by researchers for researchers, offering a holistic platform to share, discover, and amplify research. The Problem with Existing Platforms Many current academic networking platforms, such as ResearchGate and focus mainly on being repositories. These platforms offer little more than the ability to upload papers, without providing the engagement, visibility, or collaboration that modern researchers need. Dr. Felix, Founder of PACR, explains, 'Most platforms expect you to simply upload your work and stop there. We believe that is not enough for the modern researcher. In today's academic environment, visibility, interaction, and engagement are key to making research impactful.' PACR addresses these challenges by offering an integrated, interactive space for researchers that goes far beyond static profiles. The platform encourages real-time collaboration, provides AI-driven features, and fosters a community-driven environment that allows for the ongoing growth of the academic ecosystem. PACR as a Complete Ecosystem PACR is more than just an academic repository. It is a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support researchers at every stage of their journey. With direct access to over 500 million research articles indexed from Google Scholar, PubMed, CrossRef, and community uploads, PACR offers an extensive and diverse resource base for academics. The platform's real-time statistics and rankings allow authors and journals to track their global impact. This feature provides a deeper understanding of the influence of research, helping to highlight papers in ways traditional platforms cannot. Dr. Felix adds, 'PACR is not just a repository. It is a living ecosystem where research is discovered, discussed, and amplified.' Unique AI Capabilities for Smarter Engagement PACR's AI tools set it apart from other academic platforms by providing researchers with smarter ways to engage with their work. These tools enable users to summarize research papers, discover scientific products directly from articles, and interact with research in a way that fosters deeper understanding and engagement. 'We want to put the power of AI directly into the hands of researchers, making science easier to access and more actionable,' says Dr. Felix. By integrating cutting-edge AI technology, PACR enables researchers to save time, increase productivity, and gain valuable insights. The platform's AI capabilities ensure that users can navigate vast amounts of academic data quickly and efficiently. Fostering Community and Collaboration PACR emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community. It features an anonymous academic forum that allows researchers to engage in open and honest discussions without barriers. This unique feature promotes inclusivity, encouraging knowledge-sharing and meaningful interactions across disciplines and geographies. Additionally, PACR offers a mentorship and tutoring marketplace, where experienced academics can connect with the next generation of researchers. This feature helps bridge the gap between seasoned professionals and students or early-career researchers, fostering growth and development in the academic community. Dr. Felix remarks, 'Collaboration in science should not be limited by hierarchy or geography. PACR gives every researcher a voice.' Vision and Mission: A Movement for Open, Collaborative Science PACR's mission is to unify the fragmented academic ecosystem by providing an all-in-one platform for research access, visibility, networking, and collaboration. The company aims to make science more open, inclusive, and impactful for researchers at all levels. Whether a student, early-career researcher, or leading academic, PACR provides the tools and community needed to succeed. 'We believe that every researcher deserves more than just a static profile. PACR gives you a stage, a community, and a voice. On PACR, you are academia' says Dr. Felix. About PACR PACR is an innovative social network designed specifically for the academic world. Its mission is to create an open, collaborative, and impactful ecosystem that connects researchers globally. With access to over 500 million research articles, advanced AI tools, and collaborative spaces for meaningful engagement, PACR empowers researchers to share, discover, and amplify their work. PACR is built to help researchers not just share their research but make it more visible, discover new insights, and collaborate with peers worldwide. Media Contact: Dr. Felix PACR Email: [email protected] Website: [Launching October 2025] Instagram: PACR on Instagram LinkedIn: PACR on LinkedIn Contact Info: Name: Dr. Felix Email: Send Email Organization: PACR Website: Release ID: 89167503 Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment.
