NASA funds spherical 'Aerobots' that could explore the caves of Saturn's moon Titan

Key Points:

• NASA is funding a new project under the NIAC program to develop small, flying spherical vehicles called SPARK (Solid-state Propulsion for Autonomous Reconnaissance of Karst) that could explore caves on Titan, Saturn's moon known for its Earthlike hydrocarbon lakes and karst terrain.
• SPARK aims to use novel electrohydrodynamic (EHD) ion thrusters, which are solid-state, silent, and potentially well-suited for Titan's near-cryogenic environment, offering maneuverability and minimal disturbance to hydrocarbon layers.
• The project is currently in a nine-month Phase 1 grant, with Phase 2 lasting up to two years; it is uncertain if SPARK will be ready in time to join NASA's Dragonfly mission planned for 2028, though delays could allow for integration.
• Project lead Daniel Drew has a background in EHD propulsion and microfabricated flying robots, having demonstrated centimeter-scale ion-propelled craft, and sees potential applications beyond Titan including all-electric aircraft and indoor drones despite efficiency limitations.
• The team plans to conduct experiments, subsystem trade studies, and thermal modeling during Phase 1, with a comprehensive public report leveraging previous research to guide development.