Researchers are working to build robots that can explore moon pits, sinkhole-like structures that could be full of resources and could even make good astronaut homes. - NBCNewsMACH
That's where the new contract comes in: The robots being developed could collect data about the pits and help to develop models of the features, which have previously been studied only with orbital images.
"From orbit, you can't get the viewpoints or proximity to see the details that matter," William Whittaker, a roboticist at Carnegie Mellon University who is heading up the project, ."That's why we need robots. Is there a way in? Are there overhangs? Could a robot rappel in? Might there be a fissure, cavern or cave opening?"will be a feat. These robots will have to be fast and agile, traversing many miles over a variety of types of terrain. They will also have to be able to know their way"home," to a companion lander that will be better able to communicate with Earth.
The rovers will also need what Whittaker calls"exploration autonomy," or the ability to make their own judgements about where exactly to go and how close to get to the edge of those moon pits.
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