Volcanic caves have long fascinated scientists, not just on Earth but across the solar system. While California is famous for its networks of lava tube tunnels, Mars conceals a system of volcanic tunnels that may hold incredible secrets about the Red Planet’s history.
Martian Lava Tube Networks
These tunnels formed millions of years ago when Mars’ volcanoes were active, creating the largest known network of volcanic tunnels in the solar system. Some of these tunnels are over 250 meters wide, making them eight times wider than those in California. Scientists are continually discovering more of these tunnels, with some networks stretching over 1,200 kilometers.
Challenges of Exploring Mars
Although rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance have reached distant areas on Mars’ surface, their large size prevents them from entering these tunnels. Additionally, Mars’ harsh weather conditions, such as winds reaching 97 kilometers per hour, pose further challenges to these rovers’ capabilities.
The “Lily” Drones
This is where nature-inspired drones, known as “Lily,” come into play. These drones utilize biomimicry, with small aircraft inspired by lily seeds using Mars’ strong winds to efficiently explore the volcanic tunnels. These small drones are deployed from a beetle-inspired robot that releases them into the tunnels to carry out their mission.
Technical Challenges and Possible Solutions
One challenge for these drones is finding sufficient air currents inside the tunnels to propel them. However, openings in the tunnel ceilings are believed to provide suitable air currents. The drones are also equipped with a powerful fan to compensate for any lack of wind. Moreover, they use piezoelectric technology to generate power instead of solar panels, which are ineffective in the tunnels’ complete darkness.
Conclusion
Exploring Mars’ volcanic tunnels could reveal unprecedented information about the planet’s history and the potential for life. As scientists prepare to deploy “Lily” drones in future missions, the ability to explore these tunnels may be key to a deeper understanding of Mars and possibly even preparing humans to live there in the future.