NASA has revealed a futuristic concept for robots that will explore the underwater worlds of Jupiter’s moons like Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus. Built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the concept is called SWIMshort for Sensing With Independent Micro-nwimmers and could be revolutionary in the study of the subterranean oceans of icy worlds.

The pool-tested robot is approximately 16.5 inches tall and weighs just over two kilograms.

Exploring alien oceans with tiny robots? These prototypes could pave the way to such a reality!

One futuristic mission concept – called SWIM – envisions a swarm of cellphone-sized robots that could explore the oceans beneath the icy shells of the moons. Learn more: pic.twitter.com/QQyB1aTOEr
– NASAJPL (@NASAJPL) November 20, 2024

NASA says the idea is to deliver a swarm of these tiny self-propelled robots, about three times smaller than existing autonomous underwater vehicles, and search for chemical and thermal signals that could indicate life. These robots will be equipped with communication systems and GPS to navigate underwater as well as instruments to study ocean chemistry.

JPL shared a video of prototype testing showing the concept could work. Currently, it is only a concept and its development requires approval and funding.

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The moons of the outer planets of the solar system have long intrigued scientists, especially after discovering clues that moons like Europa, Enceladus, Titan and Ariel might have hidden oceans and that the water there might be conducive to life.

Motivated by exciting possibilities like this, NASA and ESA launched their missions to Jupiter’s moons earlier this year.

ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft took off in April to study Europa, Callisto and Ganymede, followed by NASA’s Europa Clipper probe to study Europa up close. Both missions will begin in the early 2030s, when the spacecraft reach their destination.

NASA has another wild mission planned to study Saturn’s moon Titan, which may also be home to an underground ocean. The Dragonfly mission involves flying a drone above the planet and searching for traces of “prebiotic” conditions that could have caused the emergence of life in our solar system.

SEE ALSO: NASA reveals how spacecraft will land on a tantalizing ocean world

(Image: NASA)