🟠 A colossal Martian underground network to explore

Lava tubes on Mars exceed imagination. With a width of more than 820 feet (250 meters), they are eight times larger than those on Earth. What is known of this network extends over more than 746 miles (1,200 kilometers). These figures give an idea of the scale of this underground world.

Current rovers, like Curiosity or Perseverance, cannot enter these cavities to explore them.


Mostafa Hassanalian, a researcher at New Mexico, turned to nature to find a solution. His "dandelion" drones are inspired by wind-borne seeds. In the imagined scenario, a pill bug-shaped robot, called "roly-poly," transports them and releases them into the caves.

Once released, these thousands of micro-drones disperse thanks to air currents. They collect data on humidity, temperature, and topography. To move, they rely on natural wind, but a propeller can take over if necessary.

The absence of light in the caves makes solar panels useless. The dandelion drones carry a flexible polymer that produces electricity under the effect of flight vibrations or wind gusts. This low-intensity energy is enough to power the sensors and the radio transmitter. The advantage is simplicity and reliability, without complex moving parts. However, the power produced is limited, which restricts the drone's functionality. Researchers continuously optimize the material to improve efficiency.


Other teams are also working on exploring these tunnels. European scientists have tested robots in the volcanic caves of Lanzarote. NASA, for its part, is closely interested in the Arsia Mons volcano, where "skylights" reveal the entrance to vast cavities.

These lava tubes could one day serve as a habitat for humans, protected from radiation and temperature variations. Before the arrival of the first astronauts, scheduled for the 2030s, dandelion drones could well be the first to map this underground world.