Space robots are set to explore caves off-planet to create new homes for humans. Robotic teams will work together to explore lava tubes on Mars and the Moon, searching for potential habitats for humanity’s future. The research was conducted by a group of European academics and published in the journal Science Robotics. The tests were carried out on the volcanic Spanish island of Lanzarote, chosen for its environmental similarities to the Moon and Mars. The team included scientists from the German Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), who noted that lava tubes on planetary bodies offer natural protection from radiation and meteorite impacts, but exploring them is difficult due to extreme conditions and limited access.
Three types of robots worked together to explore and map the area, including large lava fields and craters. During the mission, they discovered a hole that led to an underground cave. The robots followed a 4-phase mission: mapping the area around the hole, placing sensors to collect data, landing an exploration vehicle, and creating a 3D model of the cave. The vehicle that landed in the cave was able to explore the difficult area and created a 3D model of it.
DFKI said the test not only confirms the technical feasibility of the concept, but also demonstrates the potential of collaborative robotic systems for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The progress follows research from 2024 that suggested that humans living on Mars could undergo drastic physical changes and even develop a new subspecies. Mars’ low gravity will affect bone and muscle density, causing osteoporosis and changes in the body after long periods. The first crewed mission to Mars is planned for the 2030s, while SpaceX hopes to create a self-sufficient colony by 2050. Despite the challenges of gravity, radiation and dust storms, space robots and autonomous technology will be key to making life on Mars possible.