NASA is developing a "tunnel-bot" with a nuclear reactor to search for life on Europa
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In the course of numerous missions to Jupiter's moon Europe, it was suggested that under the thick ice layer of the moon can be uncured ocean, and it means that potentially there could be life, or at least evidence of its presence in the past. In order to verify this, we need some way to get under the edge of the ice and the U.S. space Agency , quite possibly, figured out how to do it.
Overall, the researchers even know in advance the place where you can try to break the ice and take samples. Lacks only technology.
"According to various estimates, the thickness of the ice cover ranges from 2 to 30 kilometers, and is a major obstacle to research. The lander should have the technology of drilling such deep wells to explore uncharted areas." — said one of the participants of the project in addressing this problem, Professor Andrew Dombard of the University of Illinois in Chicago.
At the moment, NASA has assembled a group of scientists and engineers who are developing the concept of "tunnel-bot" is able to drill the ice on Europa. A distinctive feature of the robot should be nuclear fuel, and provide it with the necessary energy.
"We focused on how the bot will operate during the descent. He must be able not only to pass through the ice, but also to work on the border of ice-water. The bot should also have the possibility of finding liquid water lakes in the ice-cold shell."
Currently, scientists consider two design concepts: in the first case on Board will house the radioactive fuel elements, and the second provides for the installation of a compact nuclear reactor. The heat when the bot is dissipated and can be used to melt the ice shell.
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