A squad of researchers from Stanford University , along with scientists from NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , have proposed a new division of robot that could someday roll and hop across the surface of the Martian moonshine , Phobos . call ‘ hedgehogs , ’ they would be launch from a mothership and then autonomously search the surface .
The spherical robots would measure out about half a meter in width ( 1.6 feet ) and be equipped with spikes to aid it along as it rolls around low gravity surround ( Phobos has somberness that ’s 1,000 time weaker than Mars ) . As the porcupine performs its work , it would transmit the details of its findings back to the mothership , the Phobos Surveyor , which is waiting in orbit . And in regaining , the ship will jointly determine its location and orientation , along with mapping its trajectory .
In parliamentary law to take into account for the movement , the hedgehogs will have three rotating extraneous flywheels inside it , each take aim in a different counseling . The spinning disks have intertial force play that will earmark the sphere to move with preciseness in an environs where traditional rover would reverberate or drift with reckless wantonness .

After a prompt speedup , each hedgehog will be able to hop for long - range of mountains basis coverage ( as much as 10 meters high ( 32 understructure ) in some circumstances ) . Further speedup will permit them to tumble in a way that will allow for fine movements .
Should the marriage proposal be approve , the entire missionary station could last up to three year .
More selective information about this project can be foundhereandhere .

ikon via Stanford .
MarsRoboticsRobotsScienceSpace
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