NASA's robo-balloon prototype was able to complete its test. This aerial robotic balloon (aerobot) is expected to help the international space union to explore Venus.
(Photo : Screenshot from official YouTube channel of NASA JPL )
NASA's Robo-Balloon Prototype Completes Test! Aerobot Reaches an Altitude of 4,000 Feet
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineers and scientists conducted two test flights above the Black Rock Desert, located in Nevada.
"The success of these test flights is a huge deal for us: We've successfully demonstrated the technology we'll need for investigating the clouds of Venus," said Paul Bryne, an aerobot science collaborator.
NASA's Robo-Balloon Prototype Completes Test!
According to Gizmodo's latest report, the two test flights for the aerobot are a part of NASA's preparation for its upcoming mission to the Venusian atmosphere.
(Photo : Screenshot from official YouTube channel of NASA JPL )
NASA's Robo-Balloon Prototype Completes Test! Aerobot Reaches an Altitude of 4,000 Feet
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However, the one tested was not the actual robo-balloon. Instead, the aerospace agency used a smaller prototype of the aerobot.
During the test flights, NASA's aerobot was able to reach an altitude of 4,000 feet (1,000 meters). Thanks to this, the space union was able to check if the aerobot could survive in Venus' atmosphere.
Experts stated that an altitude of 4,000 feet on Earth is comparable to the conditions found on Venus.
Bryne, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, explained that the successful test flights would allow NASA to create a long-term robotic exploration presence on the neighboring planet.
NASA Aerobot's Goal
NASA JPL explained that the main mission of the aerobot is to travel across Venus. Once the robo-balloon is complete, it is expected to float the planet's atmosphere from east to west.
The international space union will allow this floating machine to stay on Venus for around 100 days. NASA also stated that the aerobot would serve as a platform for a range of space investigations.
These include atmosphere monitoring, Venusian cloud chemical composition analysis, and other similar experiments.
The aerobot will work with an orbiter, which will receive the essential data gathered by the robo-balloon. After that, the orbiter will send the information back to Earth.
This will allow NASA to understand Venus further. You can click here to see more details about the robo-balloon.
Meanwhile, the NASA DART mission is confirmed to have changed Dimorphos' orbit.
Recently, the NASA InSight Mars lander was able to push through the Red Planet's dust storm.
For more news updates about NASA's aerobot and other space machines, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by Griffin Davis
