These futuristic NASA vehicle concepts may be used to explore Venus

NASA has unveiled some probe concepts for spacecraft that may one day explore Venus, of which there are more than two dozen proposals. The concepts are for spacecraft and various types of probes that look different than what we've thus far sent into space, utilizing things like an 'origami' design to unfold robotic systems as necessary based on landscapes.

All of these proposals are still in an early stage, according to NASA, which recently showcased them at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts symposium this past week. Though most of the concepts are still in their initial phase, there are some that have progressed to Phase II, and one of them is the aforementioned concept that is inspired by origami.

The concept was made by Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Adrian Stoica whose idea centers around something like transformers. This concept introduced 'robotic structures' that can unfold in an origami-like way, enabling them to reflect solar rays where they're needed. This could solve a problem wherein rovers become 'trapped' in shadows, cut off from sunlight and, therefore, solar power.

By using transforming robotic structures, they could unfold and rearrange themselves to reflect the sunlight where it is needed to get power back to these otherwise doomed rovers. Their use could extend beyond that, though, possibly being used to deliver sunlight to human colonies and lunar bases so that they have both power and warmth. This could enable bases to be created in parts of a world that would otherwise be cold and/or dark.

Another concept that could possibly be used for future Venus exploration is the Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments, AREE for short. This proposal introduces a spacecraft of sorts that features a mechanical computer and wind turbine for power, the combination of which could allow AREE to operate in the extremely cold, inhospitable Venusian landscape.

Venus isn't the only focus for these concepts, however. NASA also details concepts that could facilitate future missions to Enceladus and Europa, one being a lander called Icy-moon Cryovolcano Explorer, ICE for short. This lander could make its way down a cryovolcano, eventually making its way to the subsurface ocean while gathering data on its way down. Other concepts include a glider and a weather balloon.

SOURCE: NASA