Subterranean Mobility for Autonomous Lava Tube Exploration (SMALTo)

Whether a young Mars harbored microbial life remains unknown. The answer to this question would have ramifications for our understanding of the development of life on both Earth and elsewhere. Searching for life on Mars has been hindered by the difficulty of finding pristine samples that could contain organic compounds. The absence of a substantial atmosphere and global magnetic field has left the top 1-2 m of the planet's surface thoroughly irradiated, necessitating the capture of deeper samples for astrobiological research. Martian lava tube caves present an opportunity to access protected underground samples without the need for heavy and complex drilling equipment. Robust robots capable of traversing lava tube terrain could travel from tube entrances (skylights) and obtain protected samples deeper within the tubes. Technology capable of exploring Martian lava tubes could also be used to map them, as lava tubes are considered to be a possible location for human settlement on Mars. I propose to develop a novel robot design capable of exploring Martian lava tubes. While robots that may be able to navigate this environment exist, none are both small enough that multiple can be sent, but capable of complex maneuvers to traverse obstacles. I propose to design and prototype a 1-2 kg robot to meet these constraints. The starting point will be my research with the Stockton Group at Georgia Tech, during which I have designed a robot that implements positionable arms that pull and climb with continuous tracks. While this design will likely evolve with time, the end result will be capable of reaching pristine samples to perform in-situ analysis within lava tubes. The NSTRF fellowship would allow me to develop this early research into a robust and tested robot design.

Searching for life on Mars has been hindered by the difficulty of finding pristine samples that could contain organic compounds. The absence of a substantial atmosphere and global magnetic field has left the top 1-2 m of the planet's surface thoroughly irradiated, necessitating the capture of deeper samples for astrobiological research. Martian lava tube caves present an opportunity to access protected underground samples without the need for heavy and complex drilling equipment.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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