Robot bees to survey atmosphere of Mars, collect samples

A project by International researchers which create new bee robot to map mars surface was awarded by Innovating Advanced Concepts program of NASA with $125,000 last month for extra ordinary development on space exploration.

The team of the researchers included engineering researchers and associate professors which in association with University of Alabama designed the robotic bees to map the surface of our planet as well as the planet Mars.

The flying robots named ‘Marsbees’ would help researchers in collecting accurate data about our neighbouring planet for creating topographic maps, as per the leading researchers.

“We figured that our interdisciplinary backgrounds in fluid mechanics, structural dynamics and control would be particularly useful to study insect-like flying robots. All of the design parameters, such as the size and the shape of the wing, the flapping frequency, the mission design, should be optimized for the Mars environment,” said Taeyoung Lee, aerospace engineering professor of the research team.

The bees will be able to read the atmosphere under the low gravity of Mars, claimed Kang, a scientist. The bees would run on batteries and proper scheduling will be done on when to charge the batteries.

“Providing aerial-sensing and information-gathering capabilities will greatly help the existing and future Mars exploration missions. That combination is intended to give it the ability to generate sufficient lift for hovering in the ultra-low-density Martian atmosphere,” added Diana LaChance, admissions communications director and the spokeswoman of the project.

The robotic bees would immediately convey the gathered information. They would land on the surface to collect samples and then return back to their base to recharge their batteries.