To investigate the enigmatic underwater seas of Jupiter’s moons, including Europa and Enceladus, NASA has unveiled cutting-edge underwater robots. Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers (SWIM) is a project that includes these robots, which were developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Measuring just over two kilograms and standing 16.5 inches tall, these small, autonomous robots are capable of identifying temperature and chemical cues that may point to the existence of life. Currently being tested in pools, the robots will be a component of NASA’s trips to these frigid worlds if they are approved and funded. These developments have the potential to completely transform our understanding of far-off moons and their capacity to support life.
These robots are part of a larger effort to find life beneath the ice surfaces of Jupiter’s moons, including NASA’s Europa Clipper and the ESA’s Jupiter Ice Moons Explorer (JUICE), both of which are scheduled to launch in the early 2030s. The Dragonfly mission NASA will investigate Titan, Saturn’s moon, which is likewise thought to feature a subterranean ocean. These initiatives are a reflection of the increased curiosity about the possibility of extrasolar life.
What’s the Mission?
NASA’s Europa Clipper, set to reach Europa in 2030, will conduct flybys to study whether the moon’s vast subsurface ocean could sustain life. But scientists are already thinking ahead with the SWIM (Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers) project. This mission envisions a swarm of cellphone-sized swimming robots that would be delivered to Europa’s ocean by a cryobot — a device capable of melting through the ice.
How Do These Robots Work?
Each robot in the SWIM swarm would autonomously search for signs of life by detecting chemical signals and temperature changes. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have created prototypes to test the concept. These palm-sized robots, equipped with propellers and steering fins, performed well in pool trials, demonstrating the ability to navigate, correct their course, and even perform search patterns — all without direct human control.
Big Ideas in Tiny Packages
The robots used in tests are about 16.5 inches long, but the final space-ready versions would be much smaller, around 5 inches. Despite their size, they pack advanced sensors to measure ocean conditions like temperature, pressure, and chemical makeup. Cutting-edge acoustic communication technology would allow the robots to share data and coordinate movements in the alien environment.
From Pools to Space
Pool tests showed that the robots could operate efficiently, and computer simulations mimicked conditions on Europa. These simulations helped fine-tune the robots’ design, ensuring they can work in extreme conditions while balancing battery life and exploration range.
Why It Matters
The SWIM robots are still years away from being ready for a space mission. However, their potential is enormous, not only for exploring distant moons but also for studying Earth’s oceans or monitoring polar ice conditions. By developing these tiny, autonomous explorers, NASA is taking a significant step toward uncovering the secrets of water worlds beyond our planet.