NASA’s Robot Bees (Marsbees) May Be The Next Mars Explorers

Dr. Chang-kwon Kang of the University of Alabama in Huntsville has proposed a swarm of robot bees called Marsbees can be used to explore the Martian surface. 25 proposals including the Marsbees were selected for ‘NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) award this year. This proposal includes a Mars rover and a swarm of Marsbees. The Mars rover will act as a mobile base, recharging station and main communication center. The Marsbee will be the size of a bumblebee with cicada-like wings. 

(Marsbees Description Image by  C. Kang/NASA)

The Marsbees will work as a swarm. They will have sensors and wireless communication devices to collect data and communicate with the rover respectively. They can collect information such as pressure, temperature and chemical composition of the red planet. These robotic bees will be designed to have great aerodynamics which will help them to fly efficiently in the Martian atmosphere. They will require low power to operate. 

(NASA's Curiosity Rover. Picture Courtesy: NASA)

The Marsbees will be created with the collaboration between the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Dr. Kang’s Japanese colleagues. NIAC will grant $125,000 for the selected proposals. If the proposed concepts pass the practicality test, they will be eligible for Phase II awards. 

(Damaged wheels of Curiosity Rover. Picture Courtesy: NASA/JPL/Caltech/MSSS)

Sending the robotic bees to the Mars is a good idea. Because, these robotic bees can fly over the tough and dangerous surfaces where the rovers cannot go. So far, NASA has sent four rovers – Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity to the Mars. The Opportunity rover has traveled 45 km in the Mars. This is a record distance covered by any rover on both Mars and Lunar surfaces. The aluminum wheels of the Curiosity rover were damaged by the Martian rocky surface. The Marsbees will not have such problem. They can be used to fly over such a harsh rocky surface to collect data and to save the rover. Hope this project will succeed and help us to explore and understand the Martian environment.