Robots on Ice
The Icefin robot is tested in the field in Antarctica. It is dropped through the ice where it swims in the frigid water to explore unknown terrain.Copyright 2013 Georgia Tech
Students learn about humankind’s search for life in outer space and how it connects to robotics and engineering. NASA is interested in sending exploratory missions to one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, which requires a lot of preparatory research and development on Earth before it can happen. One robot currently being engineered as a proof of concept for a possible trip to explore Europa is the Icefin, which is an innovative robot that can explore under ice and in water, which are the believed conditions on Europa. This lesson provides students with intriguing information about far off (distance and time!) space missions and field robotics, and also sets up two associated robotics and arts integration activities to follow. The lesson can be used individually to provide new information to students, or as a precursor to the associated activities. A PowerPoint® presentation and worksheet are provided.
Teams of engineers are critically involved in the development of robots for space missions. While some missions may be decades away from launching, the research and development must start somewhere! In 2013, researchers engineered a robot called Icefin that serves as a proof of concept for a future mission to Europa. Icefin has an innovative design that was carefully constructed based on mission requirements and challenges, and has been field tested in Antarctica.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Provide facts about Europa and compare it to Earth.
- Give an example of how engineers test robots in the field.
- Discuss the challenges of sending a robot to Europa.