Solar Energy Explores Mars Satellite
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According to a recent report from the British *Daily Mail* on January 21st, a team of researchers from Stanford University in the U.S. is collaborating with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MIT to develop an innovative small-scale robot called the "Hedgehog Robot." This new device is designed to explore Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, and will play a crucial role in supporting future human missions to the Red Planet.
The "Hedgehog Robot," which is about half a meter wide and covered in spikes, will be carried by a spacecraft similar in size to a coffee table. Once it reaches Phobos, the spacecraft will orbit the moon for several months, conducting detailed terrain analysis before releasing the robot. The goal is to use the robot to gather critical data that could help plan future Mars landings.
During its mission, the spacecraft will deploy between five and six "Hedgehog Robots" sequentially. Each release will be carefully timed and monitored to ensure the robots land in the most promising locations. Unlike traditional rovers, the Hedgehog Robot doesn’t have wheels. Instead, it uses three internal rotating Frisbees, each oriented in a different direction. These Frisbees are powered by solar panels on the robot's casing, allowing it to move efficiently even in the low-gravity environment of Phobos.
Thanks to this unique design, the robot can jump, roll, and navigate across the surface of Phobos with precision. It is capable of collecting valuable samples of soil and rock and transmitting them back to Earth for further study. This kind of exploration could provide key insights into the composition and history of Phobos.
Phobos, one of Mars’ two natural satellites, has long been considered a potential staging point for future human missions to Mars. Some scientists believe that Phobos may have originated from Mars itself, making it a valuable resource for studying the planet’s geology without having to send expensive missions directly to the Martian surface. By exploring Phobos, researchers could save significant time and money while gaining important knowledge about Mars.